THE following protest on the subject of the British Envoy to the Pope has been drawn up by the Synod’s Committee, and has been forwarded to the Prime Minister, with the request that it be laid before His Majesty the King and His Majesty’s counsellors. Copies have also been sent to some of the principal members of the Cabinet:—
“The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland would hereby enter its earnest and emphatic protest against the recent sending of Sir Henry Howard as a Special Envoy to represent this nation at the Vatican. The Synod considers that this step is a violation of the Protestant Constitution as set forth in the Bill of Rights, and that it is fraught with serious danger to the stability and peace of the Realm.
The Synod would most humbly and loyally, but very seriously, remind your Majesty and your Majesty’s counsellors that the policy of acquiescing in the intrigues of the emissaries of the Papacy, and of refusing to listen to the earnest remonstrances of loyal Protestant subjects, expelled the House of Stewart from the Throne of Great Britain, and that a similar policy pursued to-day is liable to lead to consequences of a disastrous kind to the present dynasty, which your Majesty’s loyal subjects would greatly deplore.
The Synod would further call attention to the example of Italy and France in recent times as nations which, from personal experience of the tyrannical domination and subtle intrigues of the Papacy in connection with religious, civil, and military affairs, were compelled to take strong measures to prevent Papal and Jesuit interference, and to maintain peace and prosperity within their respective borders.
The Synod would also observe that the Papacy has been charged, not unjustly, at the present crisis, with being an accomplice of the War Party in Germany, and that the Pope has not condemned any of the nefarious acts of that nation since the present terrible war began.
The Synod, therefore, in conclusion, earnestly beseeches your Majesty and your Majesty’s Government to issue an order to have Sir Henry Howard withdrawn from the Vatican, and so deliver your Protestant subjects from a false position in this matter, as well as the nation in general, from a serious menace to its most vital, important, and abiding interests.”
Obituary.—We regret very much to record this month the deaths of three worthy elders in the North—Messrs. John Swanson, Halkirk; Donald Dunbar, Wick; and Angus Macleod, Strathy Point. Mr. Swanson was in middle life, but Messrs. Dunbar and Macleod had reached a ripe old age. All were useful men. We expect (D.V.) to have fuller notices at a later date.