Communions.—Kames and Oban, first Sabbath of May; Dumbarton (Hall, 3 Wallace Street), and Edinburgh (Riego Street, near Tollcross), second; Glendale (Skye), third. Shieldaig (Ross), second Sabbath of June; Dornoch (Sutherland), third.
Communion at Chesley, Ontario.—The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will (d.v.) be observed in this Congregation on the last Sabbath of May (30th day of month). Rev. D. M. Macdonald may assist. Brethren from the various centres are cordially invited. We have pleasure in inserting this notice from the Rev. Walter Scott, and hope that the divine presence may be experienced at his Communion. Mr. Scott informs us, we are
sorry to relate, that there is “great sickness in Chesley at present,” and that he is suffering himself, while he adds, “The Lord reigneth.” May the Most High graciously interpose as the all-sufficient helper and healer!
Meeting of Synod.—The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland will (D.V.) meet in the Hall of St. Jude’s Church, Glasgow, on Tuesday evening after the first Sabbath of May. The Moderator, the Rev. Andrew Sutherland, Ullapool, will conduct public worship at half-past six o’clock.
The late Mr. D. Bethune, Harris.—We record briefly this month the death of Mr. Donald Bethune, Tarbert, Harris, one of our most respected elders and missionaries. He passed away on the morning of the 16th April. Mr. Bethune, who had more than reached the allotted span, had been in infirm health for a considerable time. His removal is a great loss not only to the Harris Congregation, but to the Church at large. So writes to us the Rev. D. N. Macleod, his minister, and such will be the opinion of everyone who knew the deceased. We hope that a much fuller sketch will (D.V.) soon appear in the Magazine pages.
Resolution by Southern Presbytery re Sabbath Desecration.—”The Southern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland are convinced that it is of great importance to keep constantly before the view of their fellow-countrymen the perpetual obligation of the moral law of God, which includes the Fourth Commandment—’Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy,’ etc., and all the more as this precept is so widely disregarded at the present day. The Presbytery would remind Magistrates and others that, as the result of the coming of the Word of God at the Reformation, many salutary laws, relating to the observance of the Sabbath, were placed on the Statute Book of the realm, which only need to be put in force to do incalculable good, but which are wrongly allowed to fall into desuetude. The Presbytery deeply deplore the laxity of men in authority at the present time in regard to the sanctity of the Lord’s Day, and feel very much grieved and alarmed at the amount of Sabbath desecration which takes place in the city of Glasgow—an evil that has greatly increased since the present War began. They bear solemn testimony that such desecration is provoking to the eyes of God as well as injurious to the moral and social life of the city.
“The Presbytery further desire to call attention anew to the publication and circulation of newspapers on the Lord’s Day as a grievous form of desecration, one of the latest of these papers, called the ‘Sunday Pictorial,’ having been advertised by sandwich-men, and hawked by boys through the streets to the pain of all God-fearing citizens, and they earnestly warn those in authority of the guilt of allowing such profanation of the sacred day of Rest and Worship.
“In conclusion, the Presbytery renew their protest, in the
name of the Lord of the Sabbath, and of all God-fearing persons, against these and other forms of Sabbath desecration, and earnestly appeal to the Magistrates to use their authority in prohibiting such demoralising practices within their gates.”
This Resolution and Protest was sent to the Lord Provost of Glasgow and the “Glasgow Herald.”
Protest by the Western Presbytery re British Mission to the Vatican.—”The Western Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland enter their emphatic protest against the Jesuitical attempts made periodically by His Majesty’s Government to sap the Protestant foundations of this nation in order to advance the cause of the Papacy. A further proof of this conspiracy is the recent appointment of Sir Henry Howard as Special Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Vatican.
“The Presbytery greatly deprecate such an appointment as calculated to befriend the Pope of Rome in the assertion of his unwarrantable claims and aspirations at the expense of truth and righteousness—a friendship which will inevitably prove disastrous to the welfare of Great Britain and the Empire, and do therefore beseechingly implore His Majesty’s Government to immediately recall the special envoy and to faithfully guard the civil and religious liberties of Protestant Britain against the Papal yoke.”
Copies of the protest have been sent to the Prime Minister, Sir Edward Grey, Lord Lansdowne, and Mr. Bonar Law, M.P.
The Mission to the Forces in England.—This Mission is still carried on by the Free Presbyterian Church, and will likely be so for some time to come. The Rev. J. R. Mackay, M.A., Inverness, who took up the work about the end of February, returned to Scotland on the 7th April, and was succeeded by the Rev. Ewen Macqueen, Kames, who went to assist at the London Communion. Mr. Macqueen conducted the services until after the last Sabbath of April, when it was necessary for him to return to his own Communion at home. Arrangements are presently being made for another minister to succeed Mr. Macqueen. We earnestly pray that the Lord may abundantly bless these services to the spiritual and abiding good of soldiers and sailors.
Notice to Congregational Treasurers in Western Presbytery.—These Treasurers are requested to send in their annual financial statements as soon as possible to the Clerk of Presbytery, the Rev. Neil Macintyre, F.P. Manse, Stornoway.
Notice to Treasurers in the Northern Presbytery.—Treasurers are requested to send abstracts of their financial statements for the year ending 31st March, 1915, to Rev. Donald Beaton, Wick, Clerk of the Northern Presbytery.
The Magazine.
Notice to Subscribers.—We respectfully remind subscribers that April was the last month of the Magazine year, and that payments due for past and future will now much oblige. All
who order directly from the Editor and Treasurer are requested to send their subscriptions to address, 248 Kenmure Street, Pollokshields, Glasgow.
Subscriptions Received for Magazine.—Miss Maclean, New York, 2/6; Miss B. Livingston, 9 The University, 2/6; A. Burnett, Seafield, Kishorn, 5/; Miss Martin, Leurbost, Stornoway, 2/6; Miss C. Mackenzie, Balchladich, Stoer, 2/6; per Mr. N. Macphail—Miss Macdougall, Jura, 2/6; Mrs. Macrae, Erbusaig, Lochalsh, 2/6; T. Gaskell, London, N.W., 2/6; Rev. W. Murray, Keiskama Hock, Cape Colony, 3/; Miss A. Macleod, Tanera, 2/6; J. Ross, Kimberley, Fearn, 2/6; Rev. E. Teaz, Liverpool, 1/; Mrs. Mackay, Overscaig Hotel, Lairg, 2/6; Miss Maclean, Eglinton Drive, Kelvinside, 2/6; Miss C. Matheson, Bonar Bridge, 17/; C. A. Macrae, Cass City, Mich., U.S.A., 2/6; Alex. Ross, Liverpool, 20/; Miss Sutherland, Tannachy, Rogart, 2/6; J. Mackay, missionary, Portmahomack, 2/6; Mrs. Burns, Balquhidder, 2/6; Miss Mackintosh, Shieldaig Lodge, Lairg, 2/6; Miss A. Fraser, Polmont, 2/6; Mrs. Mackinnon, Applecross, 2/6; M. Macrae, Milton, Applecross, 2/6; Miss Andrew, Bervie, 2/6; M. Macrae, Ardor, Lochinver, 2/6; Miss A. Urquhart, Thorntonhall, 2/6; Miss Macnair, High Blyantyre, 7d.; Mrs. Graham, Greenhill, Achiltibuie, 2/6; J. Parker, Bridge-of-Allan, 8/1½; A. Graham, Achnamara, by Lochgilphead, 2/6; A. Maclellan, for St. Jude’s Collectors, 41/6; A. Gillanders, Fernabeg, Shieldaig, 5/; D. Brown, Greenock, 18/; D. Ross, Tain, 9/; Mrs. D. Murray, Scotscalder, 2/6; J. S. Murray, Tongside, by Thurso, 2/6; D. G. Mackenzie, London, W., 21/; A. Mackay, missionary, Staffin, Skye, 33/8; J. M. Stevenson, Ardrishaig, 6/9; P. Anderson, Edinburgh, 17/6; Mrs. M. Macleod, S. Oscaig, Raasay, 2/6; Miss M. Mackenzie, Inver, Lochinver, 2/6; Mrs. Sutherland, Rowan Cottage, Culag, Lochinver, 2/6; Mrs. Mackenzie, Craggie Cottage, Lochinver, 2/6; C. Rodger, Helensburgh, 7/6; Miss C. Macleod, Courtenay Ho., Liverpool, 2/6; A. Morrison, Lochnsli, Fearn, 2/6; C. Gillies, Lochgilphead, 2/6; C. Urquhart, Luibmore, Achnasheen, 2/6; K. Maclean & Son, Poolewe, 12/6; Miss J. M’Pherson, Diabaig, Torridon, 2/6; Miss Macmillan, stationer, Oban, 7/1; J. Gillies, sen., Ardue, Applecross, 2/6; A. Bruce, Wick, 19/6; Miss Bannerman, Tressady, Rogart, 2/6; Miss Grant, Hydro., Kilmacolm, 2/6; Mrs. Stirling, Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, 2/6; A. Sinclair, Kilwinning, 2/6; Miss M. Mackenzie, Auchentraid, Kishorn, 2/6; Sister MacInnes, Royal Infirmary, Liverpool, 2/6; Miss Macdiarmid, Crieff, 2/6; M. Turner, Dumfarton, 10/; J. MacIain, Portree, 16/9; Miss Mackay, Halkirk, 11/10; Jas. Murray, Halkirk, 2/6; Miss Sansum, London, S.W., 2/6; Miss Fraser, Muirnich, Gorthleck, 2/6; Mrs. Maclellan, Dallas, 3/6; M. Darroch, Ballochantay, 2/6; D. MacPherson, Kames, 27/2; J. Nicol, Carrbridge, 5/; D. Murray, Muie, Rogart, 7/6; Miss Mackay, Hougharry, N. Uist, 2/6; W. Ross, Ballater, 2/6; Miss C. MacPherson, Durham, 2/6; Mrs. J. Matheson, Drumbuie, Kyle, 2/6; Mrs. Shupe, Detroit, U.S.A., 5/; A. Mackinnon, missionary, Laide, 2/6; A. Mackenzie, tailor, Upper Laide, 2/6; D. Cameron, Soay Isle, 2/6; D. Maclean, Ardcharnich, Garve, 3/6; J. Macleod, Bridge End, Lairg, 10/6; D. G. Macsween, Victoria, B.C., 12/; J. Mackenzie, Campbellton, Ontario, 2/6; Mrs. Mackenzie, 7 Diabaig, Torridon, 2/6; Capt. Finlayson, Langside Road, Glasgow, 2/6; Miss Taylor, Great Northern Rd., Aberdeen, 2/6; Miss Macleod, Seafield, Aberdeen, 2/6; Mrs. Connell, Stirling, 2/6; D. Fraser, Farley, Beauly, 2/6; Mrs. Munro, Dingwall, 3/; Miss C. Gunn, Georgemas, 2/6; Miss H. Murray, Little Rogart, 2/6; M. Mackenzie, Drumbeg, 4/; Mrs. Sangster, Kingussie, 2/6; Mrs. Chisholm, Polwarth Gardens, Glasgow, 2/6; N. Macrae, Achduart, Achiltibuie, 5/; F. Fraser, Fort William, 5/; Miss Mackinnon, Achateny, Ardnamurchan, 2/6.
Free Distribution to Soldiers and Sailors.—Miss Martin, Leurbost, Stornoway, 2/6; Mrs. Burns, Balquhidder, 2/6; Miss Andrew, Bervie, 2/6; J. Gillies, sen., Ardue, Applecross, 2/6; W. M. M., British Columbia, 5/-; “A Friend,” Glasgow, 1/-; W. Ross, Ballater, 2/6; Miss Macleod, Seafield, Aberdeen, 2/6; per Miss Matheson, Bonar—”A Friend,” 2/6; Mrs. Chisholm, Glasgow, 2/-.
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