THE Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met in the Hall of St. Jude’s Church, Glasgow, on Tuesday the fourth day of May, 1915. The retiring Moderator, Rev. Andrew Sutherland, Ullapool, Ross-shire, conducted public worship at 6.30 p.m., and preached from 2 Timothy i. 8 (first clause): “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” After public worship was ended, the Moderator constituted the Synod with prayer.
The roll was called, and there were present: From the Western Presbytery—Revs. Neil Macintyre, Stornoway; Murdo Morrison, Lochinver; and A. Sutherland, Ullapool (Moderator), ministers. From the Northern Presbytery—Revs. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall; J. R. Mackay, Inverness; and D. Beaton, Wick, ministers; with Mr. Angus Stewart, Inverness, elder. From the Southern Presbytery—Revs. Neil Cameron, St. Jude’s; Ewen Macqueen, Kames; Alexander Mackay, Oban; and J. S. Sinclair, John Knox’s (clerk), ministers; with Messrs. Angus M’Rae, St. Jude’s; Murdo Campbell, Oban; and John Auld, John Knox’s, elders. The Clerk intimated apologies for absence from the Revs. Alexander Macrae, Portree; D. N. Macleod, Harris; N. Matheson, Halkirk; D. A. MacFarlane, Rogart, etc.; and D. Graham, Shieldaig. Mr. Angus Fraser was appointed officer of Court. He thanked the Synod, and agreed to undertake the duties.
The Minutes of last Synod meeting were read and approved of. At this stage the Moderator intimated that his term of office had now expired after a period of eighteen months. He thanked the Synod for their kind indulgence during that time, and said that it now lay with the Court to appoint his successor. Rev. J. R. Mackay moved, and Rev. D. Beaton seconded, that the Rev. Murdo Morrison, Lochinver, be appointed Moderator for the ensuing year. The motion was unanimously agreed to. Mr. Morrison rose and thanked the Synod for the honour they had conferred upon him. He said that in ordinary circumstances he
would have been willing to undertake the office, but in view of the present national crisis he considered that it would be more suitable if one of the older ministers present were appointed. Rev. Ewen Macqueen said that, having regard to Mr. Morrison’s suggestion, he moved that the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall, who was “the father” of the Church, be appointed Moderator. Rev. Murdo Morrison seconded the motion. Rev. J. R. Mackay said that he was quite willing to withdraw his motion, and accordingly did so, his seconder (Rev. D. Beaton) concurring. It was then unanimously agreed to appoint the Rev. D. Macfarlane. Mr. Macfarlane rose and thanked the Synod for the appointment. He said that in response to the request of the brethren he was willing to undertake the duties, and felt it easier to do so, in view of his failing strength, from the fact that the Synod was now meeting only once a year. He then took the Chair.
Rev. M. Morrison moved that the retiring Moderator (Rev. A. Sutherland) be asked to publish his sermon in the Magazine. Rev. J. R. Mackay, in a few appreciative remarks, seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was moved, seconded, and agreed to, that all the members of Synod (d.v.) meet as a Committee on Bills and Overtures immediately after the close of the sederunt. Rev. E. Macqueen moved that the Revs. Neil Cameron, J. R. Mackay, J. S. Sinclair, and D. Beaton be appointed as a Committee to draw up the usual Loyal Address to the King. The motion was seconded by the Rev. Neil Macintyre, and agreed to. Rev. D. Beaton moved that the following examiners of Presbytery Records be appointed:—the members of the Northern Presbytery to examine the Records of the Southern Presbytery; the members of the Southern Presbytery, the Records of the Western Presbytery; and the members of the Western Presbytery, the Records of the Northern. The motion was agreed to.
Rev. Neil Cameron moved that the Synod meet (d.v.) next day (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. and 6.20 p.m. The motion was seconded by the Rev. A. Mackay, and agreed to. The Moderator (Rev. D. Macfarlane) made intimation accordingly. The sederunt was closed with singing the last three verses of the hundred and twenty-second Psalm and prayer.
SECOND SEDERUNT.
The Synod resumed its sitting on Wednesday the 5th day of May, 1915, at 11 a.m. The meeting was opened with devotional exercises, conducted by the Moderator, Rev. D. Macfarlane.
The roll was called, and there were present: From the Western Presbytery—Revs. Neil Macintyre, Stornoway; Duncan Mackenzie, Gairloch; Murdo Morrison, Lochinver; and Andrew Sutherland, Ullapool, ministers. From the Northern Presbytery—Revs. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall (Moderator); J. R. Mackay, Inverness; and D. Beaton, Wick, ministers; with Mr. Angus Stewart, Inverness,
elder. From the Southern Presbytery—Revs. Neil Cameron, St. Jude’s; E. Macqueen, Kames; A. Mackay, Oban; J. S. Sinclair, John Knox’s (Clerk), ministers. 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 for this sederunt, which was adopted. The order was as follows:—(1) Report of Committee on Bills and Overtures; (2) Reports of Examiners of Presbytery Records; (3) Theological Committee’s Report; (4) Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement; (5) Appointment of Church Committees; (6) Appointment of Annual Church Collections; (7) Remit from the Northern Presbytery re Rev. D. Macfarlane’s Retirement; (8) Mission to Fishermen Committee’s Report.
(2) REPORTS OF EXAMINERS OF PRESBYTERY RECORDS.
The examiners of the records of the three Presbyteries delivered their reports, and all agreed in giving a favourable account of the manner in which the various records were kept. Rev. Neil Macintyre explained that, on one occasion, the Western Presbytery failed to meet owing to unavoidable circumstances, and was revived according to the usual procedure.
(3) THEOLOGICAL COMMITTEE’S REPORT.
Rev. J. R. Mackay reported that owing to the circumstances that two of their divinity students were detained—one in London and the other in Manitoba—and that there was thus only one divinity student, Mr. William Matheson, forward, he, after consultation with some of his brethren, did not open divinity classes in Inverness last winter. He suggested to the Northern Presbytery that Mr. William Matheson might have work prescribed for him which would count, if the results were good, as equal to a second session in Church History and New Testament Greek. Mr. Beaton would inform the Court how this was carried out. Mr. Mackay hoped that this failure to meet as a theological class in Inverness might turn out for the benefit of our divinity students, as it gave him an unexpected opportunity of working up his lectures, and they could easily understand that, with the amount of work that fell to him to do in other spheres, he prized any such opportunity very much. He intimated that classes in Old Testament Hebrew and in Systematic Theology would (d.v.) open in Inverness on the first Tuesday of December, 1915, and that students would, early in December, have a written examination covering the first thirty sections of Dr. Davidson’s Hebrew Grammar. Students would be expected to bring certificates from their Presbyteries.
After the Rev. John R. Mackay’s explanation in regard to the reason for the theological classes not meeting, the Rev. D. Beaton reported that the Northern Presbytery had suggested that the following work should be prescribed to Mr. William Matheson,
divinity student, viz., Epistle of Paul to the Romans—translation, exegesis, and introduction; Burgon’s “Traditional Text of the Gospels”; Nestle’s “Introduction to New Testament Textual Criticism” (historical part); Hay Fleming’s “Reformation in Scotland,” and that he should be examined in these subjects by Mr. Beaton; and further, in the special circumstances, that this should be reckoned as a session to Mr. Matheson. The Western and Southern Presbyteries had this suggestion submitted to them, and both expressed their approval of the same. Mr. Beaton reported that he had set papers on the above subjects, and as a result of the examination, Mr. Matheson obtained 84 per cent. in the department of New Testament Greek, and 100 per cent. in Church History.
Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by the Rev. Neil Macintyre, and agreed to.
Rev. Ewen Macqueen also moved that it be an instruction from the Synod that all students purposing to join the divinity classes, send word to the Convener of the Theological Committee (Rev. D. MacFarlane) not less than three months before the divinity classes open. This motion was seconded and adopted unanimously.
Rev. D. Beaton said that he thought it advisable that for the future, it should be intimated to our students that a fairly high percentage would be expected of them in Bible knowledge, in the Confession of Faith, and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. He did not make this suggestion as in the slightest way hinting that our students were backward in this department of theological discipline, but merely as an intimation to future students of what would be expected of them. He concluded by moving that such intimation would be made. The motion was seconded by the Rev. Neil Cameron, and unanimously agreed to.
(4) TREASURER’S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT.
Mr. Angus Clunas, General Treasurer, submitted the Financial Report for the year ending 31st March, 1915, an abstract of which he read. (This Statement is published at page 62 of this Magazine.)
Rev. John R. Mackay moved that the Synod adopt the Report, making acknowledgment of the gracious providence which, year by year, amply provided for the necessities of the ministers, missionaries, and catechists of this Church; thank the Treasurer and the Auditors (Messrs. Finlay M’Iver and Charles MacLean) for their valuable services; re-appoint the said Auditors for the current year; and commend anew to the Church’s liberality all the schemes of the Church, especially the Sustentation Fund.
Mr. Mackay, in submitting this motion, pointed out that, as regards the Sustentation Fund, the balance at the end of their financial year was the best within the period of their history as a distinct denomination. He reckoned that—without speaking invidiously of any other denomination—he might say that the
Free Presbyterian Church had the greatest reason for thankfulness to the Head of the Church. Their work was done among a people comparatively poor—they had no endowments to aid them—and yet in the present condition of the world’s affairs they had at the end of March a satisfactory balance to their credit. Of course, it would be a mistake to construe that as meaning that they were hoarding up money and banking it. As a matter of fact they literally lived, year after year, from hand to mouth, and they found that to be good for them. What a good balance meant was that their office-bearers were relieved for the time being of all anxiety on the score of finances.
Rev. Neil Cameron seconded the motion. He said that it was his firm belief that if the Free Presbyterian Church adhered steadfastly to all its principles and doctrines, the people would give the necessary material support, but that if there should be any departure from these principles and doctrines the same support would not be forthcoming.
(5) APPOINTMENT OF CHURCH COMMITTEES.
Rev. E. Macqueen moved the appointment of the following committees:—
(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.—Revs. Neil Macintyre, D. Beaton, and J. S. Sinclair, with Mr. Macintyre as Convener.
(4) Foreign Mission Committee.—Revs. Neil Cameron, J. R. Mackay, E. Macqueen, D. Beaton, and Mr. John Auld, elder, with Mr. Cameron as Convener.
(5) Mission to Fishermen Committee.—Revs. Neil Macintyre, A. Macrae, D. N. Macleod, M. Morrison, and Mr. John Macdonald, Stornoway, elder, with Mr. Macintyre as Convener.
(6) Magazine Committee.—Revs. Neil Cameron, D. Beaton, J. S. Sinclair, and Mr. A. Fraser, elder, with Mr. Sinclair as Convener.
(7) Religion and Morals Committee.—Revs. D. Macfarlane, N. Macintyre, E. Macqueen, and Capt. Macdonald, Glasgow, Messrs. Charles Maclean, Inverness, and John Macdonald, Stornoway, elders, with Mr. Macfarlane as Convener.
The Clerk seconded the motion, which was agreed to.
(6) APPOINTMENT OF CHURCH COLLECTIONS.
The Clerk moved that the Church Collections be appointed as follows:—Collection for the 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 the Sustentation Fund and Finance Committee; (3) Organisation Fund (General Expenses), collection in December—notice to be sent by Synod Clerk; (4) Church Building Fund in January, 1916—notice to be sent by Synod Clerk; (5) Foreign Mission Fund, collection in February, 1916—notice to be sent by Convener of the Foreign Mission Committee; (6) Home Mission Fund (Missionaries and Catechists), second collection in April, 1916, 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, 1916—notice to be sent by the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall. The motion was seconded by the Rev. E. Macqueen, and agreed to.
(7) REMIT FROM NORTHERN PRESBYTERY RE REV. D. MACFARLANE’S RETIREMENT.
Rev. D. Beaton reported that notice had been given by the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall, that he intended to retire from the pastoral office, and that the following resolution on the subject was adopted, on the motion of the Rev. J. R. Mackay, at a meeting of the Northern Presbytery on the 3rd inst. :—
“The Presbytery, after hearing representative men of the Dingwall congregation, express their mind touching the Rev. Donald Macfarlane’s resignation, resolve on the one hand that in view of Mr. Macfarlane’s advanced age, the state of his health, and the distinguished character that belonged to him as a minister of the Gospel, they cannot see their way to oppose the resignation; and, on the other hand, in view of the fact that the Presbytery have not had time to consult with their esteemed father and brother, Mr. Macfarlane, regarding his intended resignation, and in view of the deep sorrow which the Presbytery realise to have been felt by the congregation when they heard of the proposed resignation, and, further, in view of the circumstance that Mr. Macfarlane himself is likely to be present at the Synod, the Presbytery decline to come to a definite conclusion, but refer the matter to the Synod for a decision. The Presbytery, at the same time, would venture to submit as a suggestion to the supreme court of the Church that in the event of these deliberations resulting in Mr. Macfarlane’s actual resignation, the said court would instruct the Financial Committee to see to it that Mr. Macfarlane’s salary would, as at present, be equal to that of the other ministers of the Church.”
After deliberation, in the course of which regret was expressed at the prospect of Mr. Macfarlane’s retirement, it was agreed to appoint the Revs. Neil Cameron, J. R. Mackay, and Neil Macintyre as a Committee to confer with the Rev. D. Macfarlane before the evening sederunt as to his intended retiral.
(8) MISSION TO FISHERMEN’S REPORTS.
Rev. N. Macintyre, as Convener of the Mission to Fishermen’s Committee, reported as to the appointment of Messrs. Malcolm Macleod, Ness, and Angus Mackinnon, Laide, missionaries, to conduct services last summer at Fraserburgh and Peterhead, respectively, and he then read the reports that had been sent in by these missionaries as to the work accomplished. Rev. D. Beaton reported as to the mission services at Wick, conducted by the Rev. Norman Matheson, Halkirk. (The Reports are published elsewhere in our columns.)
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the Reports be adopted and that Mr. Matheson and the missionaries be sincerely thanked for their services. The motion was seconded by the Rev. M. Morrison, and agreed to.
The Synod adjourned to meet again (God willing) at 6.30 p.m. The meeting was closed with praise and prayer.
THIRD SEDERUNT.
The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland resumed its sitting at 6.30 p.m., according to terms of adjournment. The sederunt was opened with devotional exercises, conducted by the Moderator, the Rev. D. Macfarlane.
The roll was called, and there were present: From the Western Presbytery—Revs. N. Macintyre, D. Mackenzie, M. Morrison and A. Sutherland, ministers. From the Northern Presbytery—Revs. D. Macfarlane (Moderator), J. R. Mackay, and D. Beaton, ministers; with Mr. A. Stewart, elder. From the Southern Presbytery—Revs. N. Cameron, E. Macqueen, A. Mackay, and J. S. Sinclair (Clerk), ministers; with Messrs. A. Macrae, M. Campbell, and J. Auld, elders.
The minutes of the previous sederunt were held over till next meeting.
The Clerk read a further Report of Committee on Bills and Overtures, as to the order of the evening’s business, which was adopted.
(9) TRIBUTE TO THE LATE REV. JOHN ROBERTSON.
The Moderator (Rev. D. Macfarlane) made a touching reference to the recent loss by death of an esteemed member of the court in the person of the Rev. John Robertson, Greenock. Mr. Macfarlane said—”Before the Synod begins other business, I shall ask the Court to prepare a tribute to the memory of the late Rev. John Robertson to appear in the Magazine. Mr. Robertson was a gentleman by birth and education, and he was by grace a true Christian and a faithful minister of the gospel. Before he went to Canada, the gospel was preached in all parts of his native country. But when he returned from Canada, after the lapse of fifteen years, he found, to his great
regret, that a sad change had taken place during his absence. He went to a number of churches in Glasgow, but did not hear the gospel preached in any of them. He felt like Mary at the grave, when she said, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.’ He was ultimately led to St. Jude’s, and heard the gospel there. He joined our congregation there, and continued in connection with it to the end of his life on earth.” Rev. E. Macqueen moved that a Committee, consisting of the Revs. Neil Cameron, J. R. Mackay, and J. S. Sinclair, be appointed to draw up a Synod tribute to Mr. Robertson’s memory. The motion was agreed to.
Rev. J. R. Mackay reported that Miss Robertson, daughter of the late Rev. J. Robertson, had sent a valuable gift of 88 volumes of her father’s library to the Church Library in Inverness. He was especially glad to have thus come into possession of a complete set of the first series of the Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, as edited by Dr. Schaff—14 volumes in all—as in this way a real desideratum in their Church Library was met. Mr. Mackay moved that the thanks of the Synod be conveyed to Miss Robertson for her considerate kindness, and the Synod heartily endorsed this motion.
(10) REMIT FROM NORTHERN PRESBYTERY RE REV. D. MACFARLANE’S RETIREMENT (Continued).
Rev. Neil Cameron gave in a brief Report of the result of the Committee’s conference with the Rev. D. Macfarlane as to his proposed retirement from the pastoral charge of Dingwall. Mr. Cameron reported that the Committee had conferred with their esteemed father, Mr. Macfarlane, but that he had expressed himself as quite decided in his conclusion to retire. He promised, however, to remain as many Sabbaths as he possibly could at Dingwall. Mr. Cameron said that they all deeply regretted that Mr. Macfarlane was to retire, but they sincerely hoped he would be spared many years yet to help in the maintenance of Christ’s cause in the land.
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved “That the Synod, having heard the report given in by the Committee appointed to consult with the Rev. Donald Macfarlane relative to his intended resignation, conclude that Mr. Macfarlane’s resignation from the pastorate of Dingwall must be accepted; that provision be made for Mr. Macfarlane in the sense suggested to the Synod by the Northern Presbytery, of which a copy is kept in the Synod’s Records; that it be an instruction to the Finance Committee that, as long as the salaries of ministers of this Church are as at present, £100 per annum should be taken from the Sustentation Fund and £40 per annum from the Aged and Infirm Ministers’ Fund, in order to make good Mr. Macfarlane’s retiring allowance; and, further, that the Synod express the hope that Mr. Macfarlane may be spared for many years to go in and out among them, and may
thus be enabled to render assistance, such as at Communion seasons, to his brethren in the ministry.”
Mr. Mackay, in submitting this motion, dwelt on the profound sorrow which they all felt at the thought of Mr. Macfarlane’s retirement from pastoral work. He reminded the Synod that, even under “the law,” those who ministered in holy things were not expected to serve unto extreme old age. That arrangement had doubtless a typical import, but he thought it had also a humanitarian reason. He believed the Synod would not be expressing the mind of the Church as a whole towards Mr. Macfarlane if they did not make an ample retiring allowance for their venerable and dear father and brother.
Rev. E. Macqueen seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to.
The Moderator (Rev. D. Macfarlane) then rose and addressed the Court, as follows:—”I beg to thank the Synod for granting me leave to retire from pastoral work. I also thank Mr. Mackay and Mr. Cameron for the sympathetic and kind words they have spoken concerning me. It was my desire to be able to continue my services at Dingwall to the end of my life, but on account of failing health and advanced age, I found that that was impossible. Although I am not able to bear the strain of work required in preaching to a congregation three times every Sabbath, I do not mean to give up preaching altogether. I shall, as the Lord may enable me, preach occasionally, and assist at Communions as often as possible. I feel very much leaving my congregation at Dingwall, to whom I have ministered for the last twelve years. But I hope and pray that the Lord may continue the Gospel to them. I have to thankfully acknowledge the Synod’s considerate kindness to me in promising to continue the amount of my salary as usual. In my application for retirement I mentioned nothing about retiring allowance as a condition; I left that matter to the Synod. It was not for money we made a stand as a Church, but in defence of God’s truth, and He amply provided for our temporal needs. And in this case it becomes me to acknowledge His continued goodness.”
(11) REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LOYAL ADDRESS TO THE KING.
Rev. D. Beaton read a Loyal Address, which was drawn up by the Committee in the following terms:—
“A Loyal Address from the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
“To His Most Excellent Majesty, GEORGE V., King of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc.
“May it please your Majesty,—We, the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, desire to renew our sincere expression of loyalty to your Majesty’s person and throne, and
to declare it to be our earnest prayer that your Majesty’s reign may, by the divine favour, be a long and truly prosperous one.
“We desire to express sympathy with your Majesty on account of the intense anxiety which we feel assured your Majesty must be experiencing in connection with the terrible War in which this country is righteously engaged; and our prayer is that God would give wisdom and guidance to your Majesty and to your Majesty’s Counsellors, to adopt such measures as may result in bringing the War to a successful termination for our beloved land and the other Allies.
“The Synod, even in the midst of the present distress, cannot help expressing their deep sorrow at the countenance that is given to the Papacy, as they are convinced that the anger of the Lord is upon the nations which give their strength to ‘the Man of Sin,’ and in particular they regret that a Special Envoy should have been sent to the Vatican during this crisis in the nation’s history.
“Our prayer to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is that your Majesty may be guided by the Divine Spirit, in these perplexing times, to do what is best for the glory of God and for the advancement of His kingdom. It is our earnest desire that your Majesty and Queen Mary may reign, in the fear of God, over a united and prosperous people for many years to come.
“In name of the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland,
(Signed) D. MACFARLANE, Moderator.
( ” ) JAMES S. SINCLAIR, Clerk.”
Rev. D. Mackenzie moved the adoption of the Loyal Address as drafted. The motion was seconded by the Rev. A. Mackay, and agreed to.
(12) CANADIAN MISSION REPORT.
The Clerk read a Report forwarded by the Rev. D. M. Macdonald, the Church’s present deputy in Canada. Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved that the Synod receive Mr. Macdonald’s very interesting Report, thank him for his laborious services, and order that the Report be published in the Magazine. The motion was seconded by the Rev. J. R. Mackay, and agreed to.
The Clerk further reported that the Canadian Mission Committee had arranged that the Rev. D. M. Macdonald should again visit Detroit, U.S.A., and the stations of the Ontario Mission this summer prior to his returning to Scotland, and that Mr. Malcolm Gillies, student, should take up the services in Winnipeg on Mr. Macdonald’s departure. The Court approved of the arrangements.
(13) AUSTRALIAN MISSION REPORT.
The Rev. Neil Cameron delivered the report of the Committee appointed by the Synod in November, 1913, to make arrangements for the sending of a deputy from the F.P. Church to our
people on the Clarence River, New South Wales. Mr. Cameron said:—”This report should have been before the Synod last July at Inverness. The reason why it was not before you then was that, owing to the effects of a bad cold, I was prevented from being present. If I had known in time that I could not be present, I would have sent my report in writing, but as this was not known to me, it was not written, and therefore could not be sent.
“There are a considerable number of years since our friends in Australia began to inquire as to the prospects of our being able as a Church to send one of our ministers to visit them, if not to continue with them as their pastor. Our sympathy with them, in their isolated position, kept the matter always upon our spirit. We wrote them more than once urging them to stand by God’s truth, and the Lord would provide. Early in the Spring of 1913 they wrote us offering to pay the travelling expenses of one of our ministers, on condition that he would labour three months among them. This request came before our Synod in November of that year. The names of Rev. Messrs. D. Mackenzie, Gairloch, and Alex. Mackay, Oban, were proposed, but as the Rev. D. Mackenzie was not present, the Southern Presbytery was appointed a Committee, with full powers, to make the necessary arrangements. Soon after the meeting of Synod, this Committee held a meeting at which the Rev. J. S. Sinclair was instructed to write Rev. D. Mackenzie so as to ascertain whether he would be willing to proceed early in Spring to Australia. The Rev. D. Mackenzie replied in the affirmative. The Rev. J. S. Sinclair informed us of Mr. Mackenzie’s favourable reply.
“Shortly after this, the Rev. D. Mackenzie wrote us that we would much oblige him by endeavouring to arrange as to supply at Gairloch during his absence, and that, in his opinion, one of our Missionaries would give good satisfaction. We then wrote the Rev. J. R. Mackay, Inverness, suggesting that Mr. Murdo Mackay might be sent during the six months of Mr. Mackenzie’s absence. He replied to the effect that it would not be feasible for his brother to go for six months, but that he might be got to go during the months of June and July, and that Mr. Mal. MacEwen, Stratherrick, might supply during August and September. We wrote him that he might fix that part of the arrangement for supply. He did so. We then informed Mr. Mackenzie that supply so far had been arranged, and that we intended to suggest to Rev. Alex. Macrae, Portree (who had been, by this time, appointed interim-Moderator of Gairloch during Rev. D. Mackenzie’s absence) that he might get Mr. Donald Mackenzie, Plockton, to supply during April and May. Rev. Mr. Mackenzie, Gairloch, replied that he would be quite satisfied with this whole arrangement.
“We then wrote the Rev. A. Macrae informing him of the arrangement made so far for Gairloch, and suggested that he
might send Mr. Donald Mackenzie to Gairloch during the months of April and May. At the same time we suggested to him that Mr. Hugh Munro, Strathy, might be got to supply the places of these three men respectively while they would be in Gairloch. We also told him that, as we understood he was appointed interim-Moderator of Gairloch during Mr. Mackenzie’s absence, we were leaving the whole matter in his hands. We took very good care that there would be no interference on our part with men who were under the jurisdiction of the Presbyteries of the Church, and consequently we did not write any of these men, but left it entirely with Revs. J. R. Mackay and Alex. Macrae to make the arrangements.
“We wrote our friends in New South Wales, immediately Rev. D. Mackenzie agreed to go, informing them of the steps taken by the Synod, and that Mr. Mackenzie was to sail (p.v.) next March. They sent us at once £50 to pay for the outgoing passage. At Mr. Mackenzie’s request, we secured a berth on the ‘Suevic,’ one of the White Star boats, paid the fare, and handed the balance to Mr. Mackenzie.”
Rev. D. Mackenzie moved that the Synod receive the report, and thank Mr. Cameron for his services. Rev. J. R. Mackay seconded the motion. He said he was glad to hear Mr. Cameron’s statement, as he now understood that Mr. Cameron was acting for Mr. Mackenzie in the particular steps he took in connection with the supply of Gairloch, a matter that had given rise to a little misunderstanding. Rev. A. Sutherland said that in his judgment the method adopted for supplying Gairloch was unconstitutional, as it was the prerogative of the Presbytery, under whose jurisdiction Gairloch was, to make the necessary arrangements for pulpit supply during Mr. Mackenzie’s absence.
The Court agreed to Mr. Mackenzie’s motion.
Rev. D. Mackenzie now read the report of his visit to Australia, which, we regret, owing to circumstances, will not appear till the July issue of the Magazine. Rev. Alex. Mackay, Oban, moved that “the Synod receive the report of the Rev. D. Mackenzie, and thank Mr. Mackenzie for his valuable services amid considerable hardships on land and sea among their people in Australia. Further, the Synod desire to express their deep sympathy with their people in Australia in their isolated condition, and to pray that the Lord may support them in the stand they are making for truth and principle, and may provide for their future spiritual welfare.”
The motion was seconded by Mr. A. Stewart, elder, and agreed to.
(14) FOREIGN MISSION REPORT.
The Rev. Neil Cameron read the report which Rev. J. B. Radasi had sent to the Synod, and which is published elsewhere. He drew the attention of the Synod to some of the items referred to by Mr. Radasi.
(1) “The satisfactory nature of the report, and the proof it gave that the Lord was blessing His word to the conversion of poor sinners in connection with the Mission. This was a cause why we should feel very thankful to the Lord for enabling such a small, weak and poor Church as we are to be the instrument in His hand for advancing the Kingdom of Christ among these poor heathen. We have ample proof that many of them have been truly converted.
(2) “It is also very encouraging to know that services are being held by Mr. Radasi and his elders at least in six places every Lord’s day. The Lord has been opening up new places where services can be held, and in this way the Mission’s influence for good is growing from year to year. They have also built several places of worship by their own efforts without laying any debt on the Church at home. This proves that these poor men value the gospel.
(3) “Another thing to which I should like to draw the Synod’s attention is, that Mr. Radasi maintains, at his own expense, several boys at his school in order that they may be useful to our Church as teachers in the sub-schools (of which there are now three or four), and they will, I have no doubt, be useful as preachers to others by and by. How we come to this conclusion is that several of them have given evidence of having undergone a saving change. If the Synod would agree to it, I should like our Church to give Mr. Radasi £10 annually to help him to carry on this good work.
(4) “I am very pleased to have noticed that a kind lady friend in Dingwall has given £25 to enable the boy, of whom Mr. Radasi writes in his report, to go to Lovedale to prosecute his studies, with a view to his being qualified to become a teacher in connection with our Mission. But we are convinced from the report that this boy will derive as much benefit with Mr. Radasi himself for another year yet as he would by his going to Lovedale. Consequently we think he should teach him another year before sending him there. We know that the whole Synod concur in giving expression to our feelings of gratitude to the kind donor of this gift. Another lady in England sent me £26 to be used in connection with this Mission, and we think it should be partly used in helping the girl who has been two years at Lovedale, and who is not, for want of means, able to put in her third year to finish her course. If the Synod will consider this advisable we will feel much obliged. We desire, in the name of the Synod, to thank the donor of this gift also.
(5) “You will notice that Mr. Radasi says that he needs more Bibles. We have sent a considerable number of Kaffir Bibles to the Mission since it was started. In all, we have supplied them with something like £26 worth. We are greatly indebted to the British and Foreign Bible Society for the valuable consideration they have manifested towards this part of our work. They supply
Bibles to us at their lowest reduced rate, and, along with doing this, they pay the freight on to Bembesi by rail. We intend to order more Bibles to be sent immediately. Mr. Radasi wrote us soon after he had begun to teach there, as to whether he should give a Bible to every one who would learn to read it, notwithstanding they might not be adherents of the Mission? We wrote him to give Bibles free to all who would be able to read. So a large number of Bibles have been spread among the people.
(6) “It has given a great deal of satisfaction to all the Church at home to have seen that now the first twenty-four Psalms are in the hands of our people there, and that there is a very good prospect that ere long the whole Psalter will be finished in Kaffir metre. But I leave this part of the report to the Rev. J. R. Mackay.”
Rev. E. Macqueen moved the adoption of the report, with thanks to the Convener. The motion was seconded by the Rev. D. Beaton, and agreed to.
The Psalms in Metrical Kaffir.
Rev. John R. Mackay moved that the Synod note with great satisfaction that our people in Africa are now in possession of a Psalter consisting of the first twenty-four Psalms in Kaffir metre; tender their sincere thanks to the authorities at Lovedale, South Africa, conspicuously to the Rev. Principal James Henderson, M.A., and to the Rev. John Lennox, M.A., for the pains they have taken in order to issue this Psalter in a manner that should be worthy of the undertaking; and further express the hope that, with the assistance of the authorities at Lovedale, the people of South Africa will shortly be in possession of the entire Psalter.
Mr. Mackay, in submitting his motion, reminded the Synod that at its last meeting in June, 1914, he had had to report that, notwithstanding that the Rev. John Bokwe had rendered the entire 150 Psalms into Kaffir metre, and had sent them for printing and publishing to Lovedale, yet Principal Henderson felt so strongly that it was necessary to subject the work, excellent in its way, done by Mr. Bokwe, to so many corrections, that it was hard to say when the book could be issued. He was glad now, however, to say that Principal Henderson and Mr. Lennox took the work in hand very thoroughly, with the result that already they were able to supply our people in Rhodesia with a Psalter, consisting of the first twenty-four Psalms, and this small Psalter was sold at 3d. per copy. The Free Presbyterian Church was certainly greatly indebted to Messrs. Henderson and Lennox on this account. There was reason to hope that ere long the entire Kaffir Psalter in metre would be in the market.
Rev. M. Morrison seconded Mr. Mackay’s motion, which was unanimously adopted.
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that Mr. Radasi should get £10 annually with a view to support him in the oversight and
maintenance of the dependent young persons who were under his charge. The motion was unanimously agreed to.
It was also unanimously agreed to thank the donors who had kindly given £25 and £26 respectively towards the funds.
(15) MISSION TO FORCES IN ENGLAND.
Revs. E. Macqueen, Neil Cameron, and J. R. Mackay, who had been successively deputies to the Forces in England, gave brief addresses, in which they recounted their impressions of the general condition of things among soldiers and sailors and the attitude towards religious services.
Rev. E. Macqueen moved that the Clerk be instructed to write the War Office with the request that permission would be granted to the Free Presbyterian deputy to visit the hospitals in France. Rev. D. Beaton seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to.
It was also unanimously agreed to that the Fund for the Mission to the Forces be re-opened.
(16) RELIGION AND MORALS REPORT.
There was no formal report on this subject, but the Rev. E. Macqueen delivered a short address, in which he called attention to several forms of moral evil which were emerging at the present time, especially the gross immorality which manifested itself at some military centres. It was reported that at one of these centres 4000 young unmarried women were soon expected to be “mothers.” Such a state of affairs was deplorable in the extreme, and there was the further danger that those in authority were about to make provision for illegitimate offspring in a way that would condone the immorality, seeing that these children were born in war time. No war conditions could justify sin. He felt that it was highly necessary that the Church should raise its voice against such fearful evils, which were bringing the displeasure of the Most High upon the nation, and make a strong protest and appeal to the Government.
Rev. J. R. Mackay rose and moved the adoption of the following address to His Majesty’s Government on the questions of Sabbath desecration, drunkenness, and gross immorality:—
“The Synod, having considered the subject of religion and morals, deem it a duty to address His Majesty’s Government in connection with the following evils complained of:—
“(1) It seems to the Synod that the amount of Sabbath labour that is being ordered by the Government is altogether unjustifiable. The Synod would remind the Government that the Lord has in all ages visited peoples to whom He had made known His will in His word with sore national chastisements because of Sabbath desecration, and, while it is recognised that some things may be matters of necessity in time of war that are not so under normal conditions, the Synod is at the same time convinced that the
ordering of men supplying munitions of war to work on the Lord’s Day as on other days of the week, is a method of working in regard to which it is so far from being the case that the plea of necessity can be maintained that it is becoming patent, as it was sure to prove, that the practice is detrimental to the country’s present and best interests.
“(2) The Synod would represent to the Government that with others they feel humiliated to think that in Scotland, a land blessed with gospel privileges for so long a time, the lure of drink is so great that our Scottish factories are unable to give the country the munitions of war that might reasonably have been looked for, and the Synod, whilst owning God’s righteous judgments in suffering us to be thus humiliated because of our manifold sins, press upon the Government the necessity of their taking drastic measures to do what in them lies to remove this scandal, and the Synod pledge themselves, so far as the influence of the Free Presbyterian Church extends, to give the Government all the moral support that is theirs in any step which the Government may take, as long as the Government has for its object the leading of soldiers and sailors and civilians in the paths of sobriety.
“(3) The Synod feel deeply anxious lest, on account of the increased illegitimacy, which is commonly reported, to defame the country since the war commenced, the nation should take any step that would seem to condone, not to say legitimise, the guilt of this great sin, and the Synod would respectfully remind the Government that no act of man or country can render of no avail the solemn sanctions of God’s law.
“And, finally, the Synod order that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister of the Crown.”
Mr. Mackay, in submitting this resolution, observed in connection with the first grievance formulated that the present war ought to awaken men to a realisation of the value of Sabbath-keeping, inasmuch as it was a thesis that might well be argued that forgetfulness of the Sabbath was in a manner at the bottom of the reasons that led to this great war. The Lutheran Church had from the days of Luther to the present hour the Augsburg Confession as its Confession of Faith. Now the one great flaw in that Confession is its defective views on the duty of Sabbath observance. How did that fact work in history? It meant that with low views of the Sabbath, the German people ceased to be a church-going people; they had not the opportunity of hearing God’s word which they might have had, had they been regular in their attendance in the sanctuary. The result of this ignorance was that they fell a prey to the infidel doctrine of evolution, and now their motto seems to be the brutal one of the struggle for existence and the survival of the fittest. These things ought to give this country pause.
In connection with the second grievance alluded to in the resolution, Mr. Mackay remarked that although he did not suppose
that many of their members had on principle adopted total abstinence views, that was no reason why with the Prophets and Apostles they should not in the strongest manner denounce drunkenness. He thought that if the Government, in the present emergency, proceeded to make the King’s example obligatory on his subjects, they ought to be supported.
The third grievance was too delicate a matter to discuss with fulness, but it was too notorious to be passed over without printed reference in their address to the Government.
Mr. Angus Macrae, elder, seconded the adoption of the address, which was agreed to.
(17) PROTEST AGAINST SPECIAL ENVOY TO POPE.
Rev. D. Mackenzie moved, and Rev. A. Sutherland seconded, that a Committee, consisting of the Revs. Neil Cameron and J. S. Sinclair, be appointed to draw up and forward a Protest to the Government against the Special Envoy recently sent to the Pope. The motion was unanimously agreed to.
(18) CHURCH MAGAZINE REPORT.
The Editor and Treasurer (Rev. J. S. Sinclair) submitted his annual report as follows:—”We have to report that during the past year ending April, 1915 (the nineteenth of the Magazine’s existence), the circulation has increased. The regular issue for most of the time has been not less than 2500 per month, about 100 more than the previous year, while for January, February, March, and April, we issued 3500. The reason of this marked increase during the last four months is the new feature of free distribution to soldiers and sailors. We have been sending an average of about 800 copies to the brave defenders of our country on land and sea. The gentleman in charge of the ‘Newspapers for the Fleet’ Office, London, has kindly undertaken (at the request of a London friend) to receive 400 copies, and to send one copy to each ship in our large fleet. A parcel has also been sent monthly to the interned prisoners at Groningen in Holland. Mr. R. E. Brider, Bristol, who carries on a ‘Gospel Book Mission to Army and Navy,’ and highly appreciates our Magazine, receives another parcel. Mr. Brider has numerous correspondents scattered over the world, in hospitals, etc., who carry on this work of distribution. Parcels were also sent to the places in England where our deputies have been labouring—such as Bedford, Portsmouth, Chatham, etc.
“The Treasurer has received £33 10s. 4 $\frac{1}{2}$ d. for the purpose of free distribution as above. He reckons that the expenditure from this fund at the end of April amounts to £23 13s. 9d., leaving a balance then of £9 16s. 7 $\frac{1}{2}$ d. Something like £4 10s. per month is required (carriage included) to keep up this scheme of free distribution, and it is our desire to do so as long as the war continues. We have to thank very sincerely all who have already
contributed to this scheme. Small donations are still required, and will be much appreciated. The Treasurer has also received £4 12s. 1d. for general free distribution purposes, and £2 0s. 5d. as general donations, for all which sincere thanks are tendered. We earnestly pray that the Lord may abundantly bless the pages of the Magazine, at this solemn and terrible time in our national history, to many who perhaps lightly esteemed its contents in the former days of outward peace and comfort.”
Rev. A. Sutherland moved the adoption of the Report, with thanks to the Editor and Treasurer. The motion was agreed to.
(19) ANY COMPETENT BUSINESS.
Rev. Neil Macintyre brought before the Synod a letter from Mr. John Macdougall, Horisary, North Uist, containing an appeal from the North Uist congregation for the services of Mr. Donald Mackenzie, missionary, Plockton, for a period of at least twelve months. The Synod was not prepared to change Mr. Mackenzie to North Uist. On the motion of the Rev. Neil Cameron, it was agreed to ask Mr. Charles Mackinnon, missionary, Skye, to go to North Uist for several months. The Clerk was instructed to write Mr. Mackinnon to this effect.
Rev. D. Mackenzie made a further urgent appeal on behalf of the friends on the Clarence River, New South Wales—that the Synod might consider their case and do what they could towards sending supply. The Synod felt that nothing could be done meantime, but were resolved to keep the interests of the Australian friends in view.
Rev. D. Beaton moved that the Mission to the Forces should be conducted under a Synod Committee, consisting of the Revs. J. R. Mackay, Neil Cameron, A. Macrae, and E. Macqueen. The motion was agreed to.
The business was concluded. Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the Synod adjourn, to meet again (God willing) in Inverness on Tuesday after the second Sabbath of May, 1916, at the hour of half-past six in the evening. The motion was unanimously agreed to.
The meeting was closed at 10.30 p.m. with praise in the last three verses of the seventy-second Psalm and with prayer.
Quincentenary of John Hus.—On 6th July, 1415, John Hus was burned at the stake, and it was the intention that the quincentenary of his martyrdom should be commemorated on the 6th July of this year, but the titanic struggle in which the European nations are engaged renders it well nigh impossible that this can be carried out. It has been well said that the heroic patriotism and self-sacrifice of Hus are charged with some of the most important lessons of Christian history, and these, with the bed-rock principles of Protestantism which they suggest, ought to receive prominent attention.