FIRST SEDERUNT.
THE Annual Meeting of the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland was held in the Church at Inverness on Tuesday the 16th day of May, 1916. The retiring Moderator, Rev. Donald Macfarlane, Dingwall, conducted public worship at 6.30 p.m., and preached from 2 Peter i. 19: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.” After public worship was ended at 8 p.m., the Moderator constituted the Synod with prayer.
The roll was called, and there were present: From the Northern Presbytery—Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall (retiring Moderator); J. R. Mackay, Inverness; D. Beaton, Wick; and D. A. Macfarlane, Lairg, etc., ministers; with Messrs. Angus Stewart, Inverness, and Alex. Gray, Lairg, elders. From the Southern Presbytery—Revs. Neil Cameron, St. Jude’s, Glasgow; Alexander Mackay, Oban; and J. S. Sinclair, John Knox’s, Glasgow (Clerk), ministers. From the Western Presbytery—Revs. Neil Macintyre, Stornoway; A. Sutherland, Ullapool; D. Graham, Shieldaig; and D. Mackenzie, Gairloch, ministers; with Mr. Finlay Macdonald, Shieldaig, elder. The Clerk intimated apologies for absence from the Revs. Alex. Macrae, Portree; Norman Matheson, Halkirk (in London); and D. N. Macleod, Harris. Mr. James Campbell was appointed officer of Court, and agreed to perform its duties.
The Minutes of last Synod Meeting were read throughout, consisting of three sederunts, and the Minutes of the last two sederunts (previously not submitted) were approved of. Rev. J. R. Mackay, who moved the approval of the Minutes, made sympathetic allusion to the lamented removal by death, since last meeting, of three office-bearers connected with the Synod: Messrs.
Angus Clunas, General Treasurer, Inverness; John Macdonald, Stornoway; and John Auld, Glasgow. Rev. A. Sutherland rose and stated that the misunderstanding (mentioned in the Minutes) with reference to the supply of Gairloch in the Rev. D. Mackenzie’s absence in Australia, had been most amicably settled.
At this stage the Moderator intimated that his term of office had expired. He thanked the Synod for their kind indulgence to him during his term, and said that it now lay with the Court to appoint his successor. Rev. D. Beaton moved, and Rev. A. Sutherland seconded, that the Rev. Alexander Mackay, Oban (the only minister present who had not hitherto occupied the Chair), be appointed Moderator for the ensuing year. The motion was unanimously agreed to. Mr. Mackay thanked the Synod for the honour which they had conferred upon him, and expressed his earnest desire that the Lord would grant him wisdom and grace for the discharge of his important duties. The retiring Moderator, in welcoming him to the Chair, remarked that the moderatorship had recently gone—according to the old Free Church practice—from one Presbytery to another in direct succession, the preceding Moderator (Mr. Sutherland) having been from the Western Presbytery, himself (Mr. Macfarlane) from the Northern, and the new Moderator from the Southern Presbytery.
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the Rev. D. Macfarlane be asked to publish his sermon, which, Mr. Mackay said, he could without flattery call a noble discourse, in the pages of the Magazine. The motion was seconded by the Rev. Neil Cameron, and cordially agreed to. Mr. Macfarlane said that the sermon had not been written, and that he was not now feeling able to do much with the pen, but he would do his best to comply with the wishes of the Court.
Rev. D. Beaton moved that the members of Synod meet (God willing) in the church next morning at ten o’clock as a Committee on Bills and Overtures. The motion was seconded by the Rev. A. Sutherland, and agreed to. On the motion of the Rev. J. R. Mackay it was agreed that the usual Loyal Address to the King be drawn up by a Committee consisting of the Clerk and Messrs. A. Gray and F. Macdonald, elders. It was also agreed that the following examiners of Presbytery Records be appointed:—the members of the Northern Presbytery to examine the Records of the Southern; the members of the Southern Presbytery, the Records of the Western; and the members of the Western Presbytery, the Records of the Northern.
It was moved by the Rev. J. R. Mackay, and seconded by the Rev. D. Graham, that the Synod meet (d.v.) next day at twelve noon. The motion was agreed to. The Moderator (Rev. A. Mackay) made intimation accordingly. The sederunt was closed with singing the last three verses of the seventy-second Psalm and prayer.
SECOND SEDERUNT.
The Synod resumed its sitting on Wednesday the 17th day of May, 1916, at twelve noon. The meeting was opened with devotional exercises, conducted by the Moderator, Rev. Alex. Mackay, Oban.
The roll was called, and there were present: From the Northern Presbytery—Revs. J. R. Mackay, Inverness; D. Beaton, Wick; and D. A. Macfarlane, Lairg, etc., ministers; with Mr. A. Gray, Lairg, elder. From the Southern Presbytery—Revs. A. Mackay (Moderator) and J. S. Sinclair (Clerk), ministers. From the Western Presbytery—Revs. N. Macintyre, D. Graham, and D. Mackenzie, ministers; with Mr. F. Macdonald, elder. The Clerk intimated receipt of an apology for absence from Rev. Murdo Morrison, Lochinver.
The Minutes of the First Sederunt were read and approved of. The Court gave instructions that the tribute drawn up to the late Rev. John Robertson, Greenock, by a Synod Committee appointed at last meeting, be engrossed in the Records.
(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) Report of Committee on Loyal Address to the King; (4) Appointment of Church Committees; (5) Report of Theological Committee; (6) Canadian Mission Report; (7) The Death of the Rev. W. Scott, and Vacancy at Chesley, Ontario; (8) Letter from Rev. D. N. Macleod re Western Presbytery; (9) Northern Presbytery and Rev. D. Macfarlane’s Retirement.
(2) REPORTS OF EXAMINERS OF PRESBYTERY RECORDS.
Rev. J. R. Mackay, as representing examiners of Southern Presbytery Records, reported that the Clerk of the Southern Presbytery had not yet inserted all the Minutes, owing to the pressure of other business, and that the Records would have to be examined at a future occasion. Rev. D. Beaton reported as to examination of the Records of the Western Presbytery, and stated that they were very well kept. Rev. D. A. Macfarlane concurred. Rev. Neil Macintyre gave the report as to the Records of the Northern Presbytery. He said that these Records were well kept, but he pointed out that there was found in them the Minute of a meeting, held on 29th November, at which only two members were present, three being the usual number necessary for a quorum. The business transacted was the examination of students and the appointment of a Fast Day. Revs. J. R. Mackay and D. Beaton made explanatory statements, and a resolution was agreed upon, with the entire concurrence of these brethren, to the effect that the Synod, while recognising that two might be a valid quorum of a Church Court in certain
extraordinary circumstances, do not consider the present case as one of such a kind, and so regard the Minute as invalid, while they are willing to endorse as satisfactory the examination of students, conducted by the two members of Presbytery. Rev. D. Beaton and Rev. N. Macintyre, as Clerks of the Northern and Western Presbyteries respectively, explained the circumstances under which these Courts became on one occasion defunct, and the steps taken, according to Church procedure, to revive them. The Synod accepted the explanations as adequate, recognising the difficulties under which especially the widely-scattered Western Presbytery laboured in the matter of securing a full quorum at every meeting.
(3) REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LOYAL ADDRESS TO THE KING.
The Clerk read a draft of a Loyal Address, drawn up 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 expressions of loyalty to your Majesty’s person and throne, and to assure your Majesty that it is our earnest prayer that your Majesty’s reign may, by the divine favour, prove itself to be a long and truly prosperous one.
“We desire to express our deepest sympathy with your Majesty on account of the intense anxiety which your Majesty is bound to feel in connection with the terrible War in which this country is at present righteously engaged; and our supplication at ‘the throne of grace’ is that God would give wisdom and guidance to your Majesty and to your Majesty’s counsellors to adopt such measures as may result, with the divine help, in bringing the War to a successful termination for our beloved country and her allies.
“We earnestly trust that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ may guide your Majesty, by His Spirit and Word, to do what is best, in these perplexing times, for the glory of His name and for the advancement of His kingdom in our own and other nations. We pray that your Majesty and Queen Mary may reign, in the fear of God, over a united, spiritually-revived, and truly prosperous people for many years to come.
“In name of the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
(Signed) ALEXANDER MACKAY, Moderator.
( ) JAMES S. SINCLAIR, Clerk.
The form of address was adopted.
(4) APPOINTMENT OF CHURCH COMMITTEES.
Rev. D. A. Macfarlane, Lairg, moved the appointment of the following Committees:—
(1) Theological Committee.—Revs. D. Macfarlane, J. R. Mackay, A. Sutherland, and Mr. A. Gray, elder; with Mr. Macfarlane as Convener.
(2) Finance Committee.—Revs. J. R. Mackay, N. Cameron, A. Macrae, E. Macqueen, and Mr. A. Stewart, elder; with Mr. Mackay as Convener.
(3) Canadian Mission Committee.—Revs. D. Beaton, N. Macintyre, J. S. Sinclair, and Mr. D. Macleod (Glasgow), elder; with Mr. Beaton as Convener.
(4) Foreign Mission Committee.—Revs. N. Cameron, J. R. Mackay, E. Macqueen, D. Beaton, and Mr. B. Dawson, elder; with Mr. Cameron, Convener.
(5) Church Magazine Committee.—Revs. J. S. Sinclair, N. Cameron, D. Beaton, and Mr. M. Campbell (Oban), elder; with Mr. Sinclair as Convener.
(6) Religion and Morals Committee.—Revs. D. Macfarlane, N. Macintyre, E. Macqueen, and Mr. F. Macdonald, elder; with Mr. Macfarlane as Convener.
Mr. A. Gray, elder, seconded the motion, which was agreed to.
(5) THEOLOGICAL COMMITTEE’S REPORT.
Rev. J. R. Mackay, M.A., Inverness, as Theological Tutor last session, delivered his report, which was as follows:—
Theological Report.
“Our divinity classes commenced on Tuesday, 30th November last, and closed on Friday, 27th April of this year. The session thus covered the usual period of five months. I had for students Mr. Wm. Matheson, a member of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in Canada, studying in this country, Mr. James MacLeod, and Mr. Roderick MacInnes. Mr. Angus Mackinnon, one of our lay missionaries, was also in attendance. The subjects taught were Apologetics, Systematic Theology, and Hebrew. We met regularly only on four days—Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays—of each week. The hours were from 10-40 to 12 in the forenoon and from 1 to 2 in the afternoon. Seven written examinations were held in the course of the session—four in Hebrew and three in Apologetics and Systematic Theology—and these written examinations took place always on a Monday. We thus tried to put the time available to the best use possible in our circumstances.
“We commenced, as I have said, at 10-40 in the morning. Every day a portion of the Greek New Testament was read among us for devotional purposes. After that, the forenoon hour was devoted to Apologetics or to Systematic Theology. In this course, at the outset, I was at some pains to give our students a
clear if only a bird’s eye view of the Theological Course as a completed curriculum—this subject-matter of Theological Encyclopaedia, as it is called, being now-a-days one that is generally thought more worthy of careful attention than was the case even so comparatively recently as when I was myself a student of divinity. Thereafter, in a course of about fifty lectures, we were for most part during the session occupied with Apologetics. This subject is treated under the sub-divisions, (1) Philosophical, and (2) Historical Apologetics. Philosophical Apologetics, on its constructive side, corresponds with what is commonly called Natural Theology, and Historical Apologetics with the evidences of Christianity. But under both divisions our work has to be largely refutative, inasmuch as, on account of their antagonism to our system, we have to settle accounts with such representatives of unbelief, in one form or another, as Hume, Kant, and Darwin; Spencer, Comte, Hæckel, Spinoza, and William James; Gibbon, Paulus, Strauss, Renan, Keim, and Schmiedel; Robertson Smith and Marcus Dods. These discussions necessarily occupy a long time, but I think the discipline is thoroughly good for us all, and I should like in this connection to put on record, as the result of a not quite painless experience, that the more thoroughly I have investigated those leading anti-theistic or anti-Christian or anti-biblical schemes, the more thoroughly I feel convinced of their utter futility and worthlessness.
“I was able to do less under Systematic Theology—at least in the way of lectures—during this last session than I was wont to overtake in the first year’s work with former sets of students, the reason for that being both that more time was given in this course to Theological Encyclopaedia than in former years, and that various aspects of unbelief were more thoroughly investigated than in previous courses. Still, something was done for Systematic Theology also. The subject-matter of Inspiration may more properly be regarded as the first chapter in Systematic Theology than as the last chapter in Apologetics, and Inspiration was, towards the end of the session, taken up and, so far as our course admits of it, disposed of; so that, if the Lord spares us, it will be open to us when we meet again to take up at once the great subject of Theology in the strict sense. Over and above the time devoted to Inspiration, one-fourth of our whole time—so far as it concerns the forenoon hour—was occupied with a matter that also belongs to Systematics and not to Apologetics. What I mean is that every Friday, from eleven to twelve noon, we were occupied with Turretine’s De Satisfactione, and by this means our students had their minds occupied all the time with a theme which must be regarded as the very heart of the Gospel. Our method was to translate each day, as the subject came up, three or more of the theses with which each discussion opens, and for the rest I gave a digest of so much of the argument as it was impossible within the hour to get over after the method of a full and direct translation
Our students were thus made acquainted with at least the thread of Turretine’s thought in the treatise, De Satisfactione, from beginning to end, and had an excellent opportunity of learning the defects at once of the Socinian and Papal doctrines of the Atonement, together with admirable refutations of the arguments by means of which these schemes respectively are, to this day, being propped up. Turretine’s De Satisfactione is, in my humble opinion, in its own department, a fundamental treatise, and so also are, in their own way, Paley’s Natural Theology and Butler’s Analogy, treatises which in this as in former sessions, supplemented, as collateral reading, our work in Apologetics.
“I pass on to review briefly our work in Hebrew, which, as already said, occupied us during the afternoon hour. Davidson’s Hebrew Grammar was gone thoroughly into, and all the exercises done by our students. Although we commenced reading Genesis in Hebrew somewhat earlier than was my wont with former students, yet it was not much of Genesis in Hebrew that we were able to get over when our session closed. I was glad, however, that even in this first year we were able to study with some thoroughness that portion of the divine oracles that deals with the Creation, with the Temptation and Fall of man, and with the first promise of a Deliverer. I am satisfied that few things have proved so detrimental to theological studies in recent years as the theory and conception that in the opening chapters of Genesis we have only myth, or at the least allegory. The only hope of a theology helpful to the Church of God is in regarding those opening chapters as history—profound, mysterious, no doubt, but true history. This was how our Lord and His apostles regarded them; and in their footsteps we, at a long interval, sought to tread.
“All the students showed the greatest diligence in the whole course of the session, and I had personally to thank them for the readiness with which they always, on being asked, undertook to help me in my pastoral work. It is my intention, if the Lord will, to resume work as a Theological Tutor on Tuesday the 27th of November. It means, of course, a long interval, but not necessarily an idle time. Of course our students, if military demands prove not too exacting, will be meantime occupied with preaching at one station or another. But over and above this unavoidable labour, I have prescribed for summer work: (1) Hebrew, (a) the whole of Genesis for translation and parsing, (b) the whole of Dr. Davidson’s Hebrew Grammar; (2) Systematic Theology—Dr. Charles Hodge’s Systematic Theology, so far as his work bears on the means of grace and on Eschatology. Written examinations will be held to test the work done in these respective fields at the commencement of Session 1916-17.”
Rev. D. Beaton moved that the Synod receive the report, and tender their sincere thanks to Mr. Mackay for his valuable services as Theological Tutor. Mr. Beaton said he listened with great
interest and pleasure to the account of the work done during the past session. Rev. D. Mackenzie seconded the motion, which was cordially agreed to.
Rev. J. R. Mackay thanked the Synod for their kind appreciation of his work. He made reference to the annual allowance of £5 for books that were necessary in connection with theological work, and said that he was venturing to ask the Synod for an additional allowance on this occasion with a view to purchase a new work of considerable importance that had been issued by conservative scholars, entitled the International Bible Encyclopaedia. It was published in America and cost £6, but it was a very valuable and satisfactory work that would form a decided acquisition to their Church Library. These books which they got from year to year were all really necessary for the work of Theological teaching, though they might not agree with all that every one of them contained. The books helped to keep them acquainted with the various movements that were going on in the Theological world.
Rev. D. Beaton moved, and Mr. F. Macdonald seconded, that the Synod give the grant requested by Mr. Mackay. The motion was agreed to.
(6) CANADIAN MISSION REPORT.
Rev. Neil Macintyre, as Convener of the Canadian Mission Committee, read a report which was forwarded by the Rev. D. M. Macdonald, deputy last year to Canada, and is published elsewhere in this Magazine. Thereafter Mr. Macintyre proceeded to state that the Committee had decided to send the Rev. D. Beaton as deputy to Canada for the present summer. Mr. Beaton had been a deputy before, but it was considered advisable, owing to difficulties that might emerge, to send one of the former deputies who knew the country and the people rather than a man who had not hitherto been there. Mr. Macintyre then gave a favourable report which he had received from Mr. Malcolm Gillies, student, Winnipeg, as to the position of the congregation in that important city. Mr. Macintyre also brought before the Synod the case of our people in Detroit, U.S.A., who had offered to pay the expenses of a minister who would go to supply them for a period of six months. As the Committee had meantime failed to secure such supply they had recommended their friends in Detroit to keep in hand the money they had gathered for said purpose rather than send it to the General Treasurer in Scotland.
Rev. J. R. Mackay submitted the following motion: “The Synod adopt the Canadian Mission Report and thank the Committee, especially the Convener for the same. The Synod further ask the Convener to convey both to the Rev. D. M. Macdonald and to Mr. M. Gillies the Synod’s thanks for and appreciation of their arduous labours in Canada as well as their interesting reports now submitted to the Synod. The Synod homologate the Committee’s resolution to send the Rev. D.
Beaton as the Church’s representative to Canada for this year, and to ask Mr. Gillies to carry on the work in Winnipeg for the coming winter, while in the matter of the advice sought by Detroit as to the disposal of that special money collected there, the Synod agree with the advice that Mr. Mackenzie, the Treasurer in Detroit, should keep the money in hand in view of any necessary outlay in connection with future supply.”
Rev. D. Graham seconded the motion, which was cordially agreed to.
(7) THE DEATH OF THE REV. W. SCOTT, AND THE VACANCY AT CHESLEY, ONTARIO.
The Clerk referred in sympathetic terms to the death of the Rev. Walter Scott, minister at Chesley, Ontario, which took place on the 18th January, 1916, and presented a petition that had been forwarded by the congregation, asking supply as speedily as possible.
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the Rev. D. Beaton and the Clerk be appointed as a Committee to draw up a tribute to the memory of Mr. Scott which should be inserted in the Synod Records. The motion was seconded by Mr. F. Macdonald, and unanimously agreed to. The Court took next into consideration the question of supply, and agreed to the following decision: “The Synod, while deeply sympathising with the great loss sustained by the Chesley Congregation in the death of their pastor, express regret that they cannot send present regular supply, but authorise the Rev. D. Beaton to do what he can for them in this respect while in Canada and to send a report as soon as possible as to the circumstances and requirements of the congregation, which report would receive early and sympathetic consideration.”
(8) LETTER FROM REV. D. N. MACLEOD re WESTERN PRESBYTERY.
The substance of this letter had reference to technical circumstances in connection with the Presbytery’s having become defunct in February and with its subsequent revival. Rev. Neil Macintyre made a statement on the subject. The Synod agreed to a motion suited to meet the case.
The Court decided that the Committee on Bills and Overtures should meet at 4.30 p.m. The Synod adjourned to meet again (God willing) at 6 p.m. The meeting was closed with praise in the one hundred and sixth Psalm, fourth and fifth verses, and prayer.
THIRD SEDERUNT.
The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland resumed its sitting at 6 p.m., according to terms of adjournment. The sederunt was opened with devotional exercises conducted by the Moderator, the Rev. Alexander Mackay.
The roll was called, and there were present: From the Northern Presbytery—Revs. D. Macfarlane, J. R. Mackay, D. Beaton, and D. A. Macfarlane (Lairg); with Mr. A. Stewart, elder. From the Southern Presbytery—Revs. A. Mackay (moderator), and J. S. Sinclair (clerk), ministers. From the Western Presbytery—Revs. N. Macintyre, D. Graham, and D. Mackenzie, ministers; with Mr. F. Macdonald, elder. The Minutes of the previous sederunt were held over till next meeting of Synod.
The Clerk read a further Report of Committee on Bills and Overtures as to the order of business for this sederunt, which was adopted.
(9) THE NORTHERN PRESBYTERY, AND THE REV. D. MACFARLANE’S RESIGNATION WITHDRAWN.
In regard to Mr. Macfarlane’s resignation, Mr. Beaton, as Clerk of the Northern Presbytery, informed the Synod that at a meeting of this Presbytery held in May of last year, the Presbytery decided to refer Mr. Macfarlane’s resignation to the Synod, and the Synod recommended the Presbytery to accept the resignation. The Rev. John R. Mackay was accordingly appointed to declare the charge vacant, and to act as interim moderator when the resignation took effect in August. Prior to this, however, Mr. Macfarlane, to the great gratification of the Presbytery, and he might truthfully say, of the Church at large, withdrew his resignation. This relieved Mr. Mackay of his duty of declaring the charge vacant, and Mr. Macfarlane continued as minister of the congregation.
Rev. D. Graham moved that the Synod express their thankfulness at Mr. Macfarlane’s withdrawal of his resignation, and their approval of the steps taken by the Northern Presbytery. Rev. N. Macintyre seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to.
(10) FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT.
Mr. Alex. MacGillivray, Treasurer pro tem., submitted his Financial Statement for the year ending 31st March, 1916, and read an abstract of the same in the hearing of the Synod.
Rev. J. R. Mackay thereafter moved that the Synod adopt this Financial Statement, an abstract of which had been now read; order the statement to be published as usual in the Magazine; own the kind providence of God who both enables and moves our people to contribute liberally towards the Church’s several funds; thank the interim Treasurer for his valuable services; put on record their sense of indebtedness to Messrs. Finlay MacIver and Charles MacLean for their services in auditing the Church’s Financial Accounts for so many years; recommend anew to the people’s liberality the interests of the Sustentation Fund, and of all the other schemes of the Church; and, finally, direct the Finance Committee to make a careful inquiry into the salaries appointed for our Missionaries and Catechists, with a view to adjust any disproportion that may possibly exist.
In submitting this motion, Mr. Mackay said that the first thing of all that would be brought home to one considering the Church’s Financial Accounts was a sense of the great breach that had been made upon us since the Synod last met in the removal by death of their valued Treasurer, Mr. Angus Clunas. As he had repeatedly put it, he always looked upon Mr. Clunas as a distinct and valuable gift from God to the Church, and were it not that he was convinced that the Synod would like, in the form of a special tribute, to put on record an expression of their sense of the value of Mr. Clunas’s services, he would have found some place in his motion for a befitting reference to this loss. Mr. Clunas died on the 6th of December last, and in the circumstances the Finance Committee had to look for an interim Treasurer who, until the Synod met, should look after the Church’s Accounts. They approached Mr. Alex. MacGillivray, Woodbine Cottage, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, a man of high character and a generous friend of the Free Presbyterian Church, who also had leisure to attend to this work. At their urgent request, Mr. MacGillivray undertook this duty.
The best creaturely gifts are but fleeting, and whilst we mourn for them, we should not forget that the gift of gifts, Jesus Christ, ever liveth; His Father ever liveth; His Spirit ever liveth; and we have again to acknowledge His kind providence towards us in a financial respect. With possibly one exception, our balance at the end of the year was better than it had been a year ago. True it is that, so far as the Sustentation Fund is concerned, the congregational contributions fell somewhat below the previous year. One good reason for that may have been the extent to which our people’s resources were drawn upon to meet the needs of the Mission to Forces Fund. He made allusion, however, to this circumstance, not because he grudged any help that was given to the Forces Fund, but because it seemed to him an adequate account of the fall in congregational contributions. But it was better for us to look to Providence than even to our faithful congregations, and Providence had so ordered it that if our congregational contributions were slightly smaller this year than the previous year, legacies, or what were virtually legacies, were considerably better, with the result that the balance to the credit of the Sustentation Fund was some £100 better than it had been at 31st March, 1915. He should like to make mention in this connection of the kind way in which their late elder at Inverness, Mr. Alexander MacLean, had towards the close of his days made £100 good for the Sustentation Fund. There was also a smaller legacy from a Mr. Angus MacNaughton who lived at Lochailort, near Fort-William.
His motion made mention of what the Church owed to Mr. Finlay MacIver and Mr. Charles MacLean for gratuitously auditing the Church’s Financial Accounts practically from the commencement of our distinct history. He had reason to think
that those kind friends wished now to be relieved of the work, and although it would be a pleasure to the Synod if they still continued to render this service, still he did not think they should be unduly urged, but rather heartily thanked for their valuable services—services which the Church ought all the more to appreciate as having been long rendered by men who had businesses of their own, and who were kept close at their own business.
The motion recommends anew to our people’s liberality the interests of the Sustentation Fund and other funds of the Church. One hears it said pretty frequently that the cost of living has increased enormously, and doubtless that is a fact that must come home to ministers and missionaries. At the same time we have to bear in mind that the cost of living has risen for our people too, and although, doubtless in the case of many, money came to them more freely than almost ever before, he doubted if this were generally true of the people who supported our funds. Still, it would be well that an effort should be made that in these distressing times the salaries of ministers and others should not suffer diminution.
This motion, as originally drawn up, did not carry the instruction to the Finance Committee with which it now closes. But, as in the discussions in Committee there seemed to be a general desire that the salaries of missionaries and catechists should be reviewed afresh, he had made this addendum to the motion.
Rev. D. Macfarlane seconded the motion, and in the course of a few remarks made mention of the Church’s indebtedness to the collectors of the Sustentation and other Funds, who performed a very useful part of the Church’s work.
Appointment of Treasurer and Auditors.
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that Mr. Alexander MacGillivray be appointed General Treasurer of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, at the salary paid the late Treasurer. He had already expressed his opinion of Mr. MacGillivray’s character, and would now add that he thought that, in view of the efficient manner in which Mr. MacGillivray had performed his duties as interim Treasurer, the Synod would act wisely in making this appointment. He had to add that, according to the request of the Synod in Committee, he had already approached Mr. MacGillivray to ascertain whether, in the case of his being offered this office, he would accept, and his answer was in the affirmative.
Rev. D. Macfarlane seconded this motion, and it became the unanimous finding of the Synod.
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that Mr. James Campbell, Ardross Place, Inverness, and Mr. John Fraser, Ceylon Cottage, Inverness, be asked to kindly undertake to audit the Church’s Accounts. This was seconded by Rev. D. Mackenzie, and agreed to.
Mr. Campbell, who was present, kindly gave his consent. Mr. Mackay expressed his confidence that Mr. Fraser also would not fail them.
(11) 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 Finance Committee; (3) Organisation Fund (General Expenses), collection in December—notice to be sent by Synod Clerk; (4) Church Building Fund in January, 1917—notice to be sent by Synod Clerk; (5) Foreign Mission Fund, collection in February, 1917—notice to be sent by the Convener of the Foreign Mission Committee; (6) Home Mission Fund, second collection in April, 1917, at church door—notice to be sent by Convener of Finance Committee; (7) Aged and Infirm Ministers’ and Ministers’ Widows and Orphans’ Fund, collection in June, 1917—notice to be sent by the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall. The motion was seconded by Mr. F. Macdonald, and agreed to.
(12) FOREIGN MISSION REPORT.
Rev. J. R. Mackay said that the Rev. Neil Cameron, who was unavoidably absent on account of duties elsewhere, had asked him to read to the Synod both the Rev. J. B. Radasi’s communication which was intended for the Synod, and also what Mr. Cameron himself intended, if he had been present, to say in this connection.
Mr. Radasi’s communication is to the following effect:—
C/O NATIVE COMMISSIONER, BEMBESI,
MATABELELAND, SOUTH AFRICA, 29th March, 1916.
MY DEAR MR. CAMERON,—I have received both your letters, also the postal orders for £1 and 5s.—the £1 sent by a lady, and the 5s. by a gentleman—to assist me in the upkeep of the boys who are staying in the Mission. You will kindly thank them for me. The Treasurer also sent me the bank draft for £30, to aid the boy and girl to proceed to Lovedale. I am sorry to say that Harriett Mzamo has not been able to go through ill-health. She has not recovered yet from her illness. She sometimes feels a little better and gets up, and then her trouble returns and she is laid up again. Her parents took her to two different doctors—first to Dr. Clark, Bulawayo, who gave her some medicine; and, when her trouble returned, they took her to Dr. Vine, who also gave her medicine. But her trouble is not cured yet. It is not fever that she has; her trouble is in her stomach. It begins with a pain in the stomach, and something seems to go up and choke her, and then she faints and falls down, and is unable to speak until that thing goes down again, and then she has pains all over her body which make her feel very weak and helpless for several days. The doctors do not tell us what is the cause of her trouble. She was teaching at our Induba School last
year, but was often laid up. This trouble of hers comes and goes. But it is wasting her away, and she is getting very, very thin.
Our people are always asking when we will have the complete Book of Psalms in Kafir metre. They were very pleased to get the first twenty-four psalms in a complete book by itself in Kafir metre. It is to be hoped that the work will be continued, and not laid aside. I have not heard for a long time what progress they are making in Lovedale about the printing of the Psalms. Perhaps Mr. Mackay has heard.
Our preaching places are at Ingwenya, Bembesi, Koco, Florida Mine, Sibindwana’s Kraal (Gravesend Farm or Induba, native name), and at Selukwe, in the farm where Chief Garner Sojini is staying. In all these outside places we have built square huts to hold services in, with the exception of Selukwe, where we hold services in one of Chief Garner Sojini’s huts, as the owner of the farm does not wish a church built on his farm. Occasional visits are also given at Manxeleni Kraal and Libeni during week days. We have built no huts for churches at Manxeleni Kraal or Libeni, as these kraals are close to places where we have built churches—as, for instance, the people at Manxeleni are near Ngwenya, and come to Ngwenya on the Sabbath day; and the people at Libeni are near Induba, and go to Induba on the Sabbath day. Services are being held every Sabbath in all these out-stations, where we have built churches, by our men, and I also go out occasionally and preach to these out-stations.
The places that have day schools are Ingwenya, Induba, and at Sibindwana’s Kraal. I may mention that Ingwenya is the native name of the place I am living in. It is a part of Bembesi, Upper Bembesi. Ingwenya means a crocodile, and the Ingwenya river used to have crocodiles in the olden time. That is why this part of Bembesi is called Ingwenya by the natives.
The practice of giving Bibles to those who have learned to read is still being continued, and I think that it is a very good practice. It is good that they should be acquainted with the Word of God. I take the Bible lessons myself every day in the day school—to those that can read; and to the rest of the school that cannot read I give a Bible lesson, and all seem to be anxious to learn how to read, so that they might receive the gift of a Bible.
I may mention the case of Mrs. Ntuli’s boy, aged 14 years, who died recently. He was very fond of his Bible, reading it every day; and, when he was ill and laid up, he put it under his pillow, and would open it and read it every now and then. When he could no longer read himself, he used to ask his mother to read him several chapters every day. The day that he died, his mother was about to give him his medicine, as usual. He said: “Mother, do not trouble yourself by giving me any more medicine, and also take this plaster off that you have put on me. The whole world can not help me with all their medicines. Leave these medicines
alone, mother.” He then took out his Bible from his pillow, and opened the tenth chapter of Job, and asked his mother to read it to him. After his mother had read the tenth chapter of Job, he called for the Bible again, and opened the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of St. John, and asked his mother to read that for him. He then said: “Jesus Christ is near me, mother! I am not afraid to die, for I am trusting in Christ alone for salvation. I am sure that when I cross the river of death He will go with me. I am not at all afraid to die, mother!” He then called his father, David Ntuli, and spoke very seriously to him. What he said to him I was not told, only that David Ntuli wept while he was being warned. The little boy’s name was Joseph Matiwane Ntuli.
A Matabele old man was saying he did not know what was the matter with his daughter. “My daughter seems to be out of her mind since she attended church services. She looks very miserable and unhappy, and is always crying. You would see her before we eat asking us to stop, and then she would put her hand in front of her face, and speak to somebody we do not see, and after that she would say: ‘You can eat now.’ Every time, before we would take our meals, she would do that. And then, again, every night, before we go to bed, she would gather us, and ask us to kneel down and close our eyes, and then she would be speaking, and speaking to a person we do not see, and things we do not understand. Early in the morning she would wake us all up, and ask us to kneel down, and then she would be speaking, and speaking with tears in her eyes, to someone which we do not see. We cannot understand her now. Before she attended church she used to be such a bright and happy girl, and now she continually complains of a bad heart that troubles her every day, and she says she wants Mlimo (God) to take her bad heart away and to give her a good heart, and I do not understand what she means by that, as my daughter is a very good girl, and has never given me any trouble at all.” The old man could not understand that it was the Spirit of God at work, convincing her of her sin and misery.
I was glad to hear that you have not forgotten us in your prayers, and that the Lord’s people are also remembering us in their prayers. May the Lord hasten the time when Ethiopia will stretch out her hands to God.
I do not know whether I mentioned in my report last year that one of the late King Lobengula’s wives was converted last year. She lives at Induba, and Harriett Mzamo stays with her when teaching at Induba. She seems to be a very nice, pious woman.
—Yours sincerely,
J. B. RADASI.
What Mr. Cameron intended to say in this connection he distributed under several heads and reads, as follows:—
(1) It might be desirable to give some account of the amount of money spent by us as a Synod for Bibles to the Matabele. Shortly after Mr. Radasi opened a school in Bembesi, he desired
that Kafir Bibles should be forwarded to him so as to enable him to give a Bible to each one of his scholars when they might be able to read them. The first order was given to a bookseller in Inverness who was able to provide Bibles at what Mr. Mackay and myself considered a reasonable price. But we found that £3 worth of Bibles cost, from Inverness to Bembesi, £2 15s. in freight. The first time that I went up to London in connection with the starting of our Mission, I called at the offices of the British and Foreign Bible Society and saw one of the managers of that institution to whom I explained that we were quite willing to pay the ordinary price for the Bibles if they could give us the books from their dépôt in Johannesburg, explaining to him at the same time that that would save us a considerable amount of money, as we found out that sending Bibles from Scotland by ship or rail cost nearly as much as the purchase money of the book. He told me to write a statement of what I actually desired the Society to do—forward the same to him and that he would submit that statement to the Directors. Immediately after I came home I wrote a statement giving all the information I considered necessary to be placed before the Directors of the Society. About a fortnight after this statement was sent I had a reply that the Directors considered favourably our statement as a Church, and that they had placed the Free Presbyterian Church on the same standing as the Foreign Mission of other Churches in South Africa. I then sent an order for £6 worth of Kafir Bibles to be sent from their dépôt in Johannesburg to Bembesi Siding. I may explain to the Synod that from the British and Foreign Bible Society £27 worth of Bibles has been sent; £25 of these were for Kafir Bibles and £2 for English Bibles. That, along with the first order, shows that about £32 10s. worth of Bibles have been sent by our Church to the Matabele from the beginning. I may explain that when I gave the second order to the Society they resolved that a further reduction should be made for our Church and that the Bibles should be given at the lowest possible rate, and also, that they should be transferred from Johannesburg to Bembesi Siding at the expense of the Society.
I would like to point out the great indebtedness of our Church to the Society for the very magnanimous manner in which they have dealt with the Free Presbyterian Church as regards the sending of Bibles to the Matabele.
(2) In the second place I wish to point out, as appears from the Report, sent to the Synod by Mr. Radasi, that there are seven places in which public worship is held every Sabbath-day and two places in which occasional services are being held on week-days. This shows that our Mission there has spread its wings so far as that there are nine places in which it is found necessary to keep services. I would desire, in the name of the Synod, to tender our sincere thanks to Mr. Radasi’s elders for the most valuable assistance they render to Mr. Radasi in the work of the Mission.
(3) There are three schools in connection with our Mission—one in Ingwenya, another in Induba, and a third in Sibindwana’s Kraal.
It appeared in the Report of the last Synod that £25 had been received by our Treasurer to send the boy, Kiwa Mhlahlo, to Lovedale. At the beginning of February of this year I sent word to Mr. Mackay to the effect that the time to send money to Mr. Radasi, so that this boy should proceed to Lovedale, had come, also stating that the girl, Harriett Mzamo, should be provided for so that she, too, might go to Lovedale. I suggested that in order to enable the two of them to prosecute their studies at that Institution, £30 would have to be sent. I stated to Mr. Mackay if he agreed with this arrangement to instruct the Treasurer to forward the £30. This was done. We find now that the boy went to Lovedale last February, but that the girl, owing to sickness, has been unable to go there. I leave it with the Synod to come to a decision as to how Mr. Radasi should deal with the money he has in hand as regards the boy for next year.
From the fact that so many Bibles have been distributed for the last fourteen years a considerable number of the Matabele must have been taught to read the Bible, which is the chief aim of Mr. Radasi in teaching them. We consider it also dutiful to take notice of the fact that the sons of several of the chiefs in Rhodesia and also in Mashonaland have more or less spent some time in these schools. This we consider a promising feature of the effect of Mr. Radasi’s labours on the future of both Rhodesia and Mashonaland.
(4) We consider that this Report would come very far short should we omit to take notice of the most striking cases of real conversion which have appeared in Mr. Radasi’s letters in the past. There are two very striking cases in the Report which Mr. Radasi has forwarded to this meeting of Synod. We have no doubt that it has been Mr. Radasi’s real aim, from the very commencement of his work there, to set God’s Word before these poor heathen, in order that they might be saved thereby; and it should be a cause of great thankfulness to us as a Church, and also to all who desire the salvation of their fellow-sinners, to hear that the Spirit of the Lord has done such blessed work in our Mission in Matabeleland. To the Lord alone we would ascribe all the praise for this good work. I desire to notice here a subject that has been before the Synod repeatedly already, namely, how we should wish that the Lord would raise up a young man in the Church at home who would go to Africa to carry on the work of the Mission there along with our worthy friend and brother, Mr. J. B. Radasi. It would also be very desirable that all the praying people in our Church should remember at a Throne of Grace the necessity of this being done, for we are asked to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers to His own harvest. We have full confidence that if this were done, the
Lord would provide one moved by the Spirit to proceed to South Africa.
(5) I desire to notice here that our late worthy elder at Inverness, Mr. Alexander MacLean, left £30 to this Mission, and that he had followed the work carried on in this Mission all along with the keenest interest and, we fully believe, with his prayers.
(6) I cannot pass over the fact, also, that the late Mr. George Urquhart, Langwell House, Dingwall, left £500 to our Foreign Mission. This shows the interest that he must have felt in the souls of the poor heathen and his appreciation of the work carried on by the Free Presbyterian Church in South Africa.
In conclusion, it will be noticed from Mr. Radasi’s Report how much the poor Matabele value the first instalment of the Psalms of David in Kafir Metre. The Report will also show how anxious they are to have the whole book of Psalms in Metre, and, in this anxiety, the Church at home fully sympathises with them. As this part of the work of the Mission has been all along in the hands of Mr. Mackay, I leave with him to add to this Report any facts that he may have as regards the prospects of the accomplishment of this most desirable work.
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the Synod adopt the Report on Foreign Missions, thank the Committee and especially the Convener for the same; authorise Rev. J. B. Radasi, subject to the Convener’s guidance, to make use of money, now in his possession, on behalf of Harriett Mzamo, on behalf of Kiwa Mhalalo; and, finally, to suggest to Rev. J. B. Radasi that, in view of the high prices which are likely to rule as long as the present war lasts, the building of corrugated-iron places of worship should in the meantime be postponed.
Mr. Mackay, in submitting this motion, referred with pleasure to what had been said in the Convener’s Report concerning the extent to which this Church had been able to give the people of South Africa the Word of God in their native tongue. He had recently read a well-informed writer say that the Scriptures were now found in something approaching five hundred languages. It was not much we had been able to contribute to this distribution, but it was something to be thankful for to have done even a little, for we might well believe that no translation of the Scriptures was made without that translation proving an instrument through which Christ saw of the travail of His soul.
The Report also emphasised the desirableness of one from among ourselves devoting himself to mission work in Africa. There were, he for his part thought, three things which the Church should contemplate in connection with the successful carrying on of this Mission. To begin with, that when more peaceful conditions prevailed in the world, that one of our ministers should be sent to visit the African Stations. In the second place, that Mr. Radasi should be asked to consider carefully if among the natives there should appear anyone whom he reckoned as sincerely pious, and
as fully in sympathy with himself ecclesiastically, such a native might be taught at home very much as Mr. Radasi himself had been. Finally, as the Convener had so well and sympathetically said, there should be a desire and aim to send out one of our own members so as to be the means of extending the Mission beyond what under present conditions was possible. Of course, all this would mean expenses and labour. But were not these the conditions since the world began to be evangelised?
He was sorry he was not able to add anything in respect of the Kafir Psalms to what had appeared in Principal Henderson’s letter to the Rev. Jas. S. Sinclair, published some time since in the Magazine. He did not doubt that the assurances therein given would be made good.
As to the part of the motion which bore upon Kiwa’s expenses, and to the replacing of native huts by corrugated-iron buildings, he thought that in the circumstances the procedure recommended would readily commend itself to the Synod. Rev. D. Macfarlane seconded the motion, which was agreed to.
(13) OFFICIAL CHAPLAINCY IN FRANCE.
The Clerk reported that, according to the instructions of the last Synod meeting, he had communicated last summer with the War Office to see if a Free Presbyterian deputy would be permitted to visit hospitals in France. In the reply which he received, the War Office informed him that they only recognised official chaplains and could do nothing in the matter. They suggested that, among other institutions, the Red Cross Society, if asked, might find it possible to give the desired permission. The Clerk communicated with the Glasgow Branch, but they replied that arrangements as to religious supply were entirely outwith the scope of their special work. He then brought the matter before their own Committee on Mission to the Forces, and it was agreed to apply for an official chaplaincy from the War Office, should a minister be found willing to undertake the duties. The Rev. Ewen Macqueen, Kames, was first asked, and he replied that he was willing to undertake the chaplaincy if it should be secured. As various questions of age and health might arise, it was considered advisable to obtain the consent of some other ministers in case of any necessity, and three others who were approached on the subject declared their willingness to undertake the work. After a good deal of correspondence with the War Office, and with Lord Balfour of Burleigh, the chairman of the Scottish Chaplaincy Committee (who showed himself very courteous and obliging in the business), an official chaplaincy was granted, and the Rev. Ewen Macqueen was accepted by the War Office. As was already known by the Court, Mr Macqueen went to France at the end of November last year, and was for some months engaged at a Casualty Clearing Station. Since then he was transferred to a regiment, the 4th Cameron Highlanders, with which he
was presently connected as a Gaelic and English-speaking chaplain. The Clerk admitted that there was a slight irregularity in connection with the steps taken to secure an official chaplaincy, as no such commission was originally given by the Synod, and the Presbyteries should have been probably approached for their consent before any steps were taken. It was felt, however, that the case demanded urgency and no loss of time, while it was believed that the Presbyteries would approve of what was done, and so the matter was pushed forward without going through the regular process. He left it to the Court to say what they thought of this part of the procedure in the case.
The Rev. D. Mackenzie moved, and Mr. F. Macdonald seconded, that, in view of all the circumstances, the Synod expresses their satisfaction with the steps taken and the result accomplished in the securing of an official chaplaincy in France in connection with the Church. The motion was unanimously agreed to.
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the Synod send their warmest greetings and best wishes to the Rev. E. Macqueen and to all their Free Presbyterian men who are engaged in defence of the country, especially those at “the front,” assuring them that they are being constantly remembered at “the throne of grace,” and that their movements are being followed with the deepest interest by friends at home.
The motion was unanimously and cordially agreed to.
(14) MISSION TO FORCES IN ENGLAND.
Rev. J. R. Mackay made a brief statement as to the Mission to Forces in England, which has been proceeding since shortly after the War began. It was stated that recently an appeal was sent by certain men, in connection with Highland regiments at Ripon, for a Gaelic and English-speaking chaplain from our Church, and that the Committee had sent the Rev. A. Sutherland, Ullapool, for a period of two months to minister to them. Mr. Sutherland had handed in a report of his work which would prove interesting. It was also reported that steps were being taken to secure an official chaplaincy in this connection, and that there was a likelihood of success.
It was agreed to express pleasure with the work done by the Mission to Forces Committee, and to order Mr. Sutherland’s report to be published in the Magazine.
(15) RESOLUTION re ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS ORDERS RELIEF BILL.
It was agreed that a Committee, consisting of the Revs. J. R. Mackay, J. S. Sinclair, and D. Mackenzie, should be appointed to draw up a resolution strongly protesting against the Religious Orders (Jesuit, etc.) Relief Bill, and the said resolution should be sent to the Prime Minister and others in authority.
(16) NATIONAL WEEK-DAY OF HUMILIATION AND PRAYER.
The Clerk read a letter which he had received from the Rev. G. W. Taylor, South Leith, with respect to the movement in the Churches for the appointment by the State of a National Day of Humiliation and Prayer—a day other than the Sabbath.
The Clerk moved that the Synod petition the Government for the appointment of such a National Day of Humiliation and Prayer.
The motion was seconded by the Rev. D. A. Macfarlane, and unanimously agreed to. The Clerk was instructed to inform the Rev. G. W. Taylor of the step that had been taken.
(17) CHURCH MAGAZINE REPORT.
The Editor and Treasurer (Rev. J. S. Sinclair) presented the following report:—”Our report for the past year ending April, 1916 (the twentieth of the Magazine’s existence), is again a favourable one. There is a gradual increase in the ordinary circulation of the Magazine to subscribers, while there has been a large increase in the circulation under the scheme of Free Distribution to Soldiers and Sailors. The issue for most of the year was 3500 per month, while for February, March and April we issued 4000 copies. Of this latter number upwards of 1250 were sent to the brave defenders of our country on land and sea. ‘The Newspapers for the Fleet’ Office sends one copy to each of the smaller ships in the Navy, and two to a number of the larger ships. A parcel was also sent regularly to the interned prisoners at Groningen in Holland, while Mr. R. E. Brider, 6 Stirling Road, Bath Road, Bristol, who carries on a ‘Gospel Book Mission to Army and Navy,’ has been pleased to receive a parcel of 100 monthly. Another parcel has gone to the ‘Mine Sweepers,’ care of Messrs. G. Trollope & Sons, West Halkin Street, London, S.W.
“In response to an appeal made in the Magazine for October, 1915, there was a great increase in donations to the Fund for Free Distribution to Soldiers and Sailors, so that the total amount received (including a balance from previous year) was £97 11s. 2d. The Treasurer reckons that the expenditure from this Fund at the end of April amounts to £58 9s. 4d., leaving a balance of £39 1s. 10d. The Treasurer also received £6 12s. 6d. for general free distribution purposes, and a small amount as general donations. For the donations to these schemes the best thanks are tendered.
“In the month of March our printers informed us that there would soon be a considerable rise in the price of paper, owing to a general shortage arising from the War, so that we decided that the Magazine, to be retained at its present size, would require to be raised in price. It was agreed, therefore, that the price, in future, would be 2½d. per copy—beginning with the month of May, 1916, and continuing until a change of circumstances will
(D.V.) take place. This increase, if fully realised, just covers the extra cost and no more. It is desirable that any who are behind with their payments, for past or future, should send same without delay, so that the funds may be adequately maintained. The cost of free distribution copies is, of course, proportionally increased.
“It is our most sincere desire that the Lord may abundantly bless the pages of the Magazine to the awakening of the spiritually unconcerned, and to the edification and comfort of God’s children.”
Rev. D. Mackenzie moved that the Synod express their satisfaction with the report, and thank the Editor and Treasurer for his services. The motion was seconded by Mr. A. Stewart, and agreed to.
(18) REMITS FROM PRESBYTERIES.
Rev. Neil Macintyre presented a remit from the Western Presbytery with regard to the appointment of Mr. John Macleod as missionary at Finsbay, Harris. The Court, after considering all the circumstances of the case, returned the matter to the Western Presbytery for further consideration and settlement. Mr. Macintyre also brought before the Synod the question of the salary of Mr. D. Maclean, missionary, Applecross, and it was agreed that he should receive payment at the rate of £32 per annum, beginning with the past half-year. Mr. Macintyre further presented a remit in regard to the appointment of Mr. Alexander Macaskill as a temporary missionary in North Uist. The Synod approved of the appointment, and agreed that he should be paid for the time at the rate of £20 per annum.
(19) COMPETENT BUSINESS.
Rev. D. Mackenzie moved, that in future, the Reports of all the Standing Committees and Remits from the Presbyteries, to be brought before the Synod, be in the hands of the Clerk of Synod not later than the beginning of April in each year, and that an epitome of the same be published in the May Magazine. The motion was seconded by the Rev. D. Beaton and agreed to.
The Clerk read a letter he had received from the Rev. M. Morrison, Lochinver, informing the Synod that Mr. Murdo Macleod, missionary, Stoer, had resigned his work as missionary owing to failing health, and asking the Synod to appoint a missionary in Mr. Macleod’s place. The Synod decided to refer the case to the favourable consideration of the Western Presbytery.
Rev. Neil Macintyre brought before the Court the case of the Mission at Achmore near Stornoway. He made mention of the great losses sustained by the Stornoway congregation in the removal by death of Messrs. John Macdonald and D. Maciver, and of the recent loss to the Church by the same cause of Mr. Allan Macdonald, Leurbost, all of whom were very helpful in
carrying on mission work. He went on to say that the Stornoway office-bearers were still willing to attend to the Mission at Achmore, but felt it was necessary that the present grant of £5 per annum for expenses would be somewhat increased. The Synod agreed to make the grant £10 per annum. It was also decided to increase the allowance of Mr. D. Murray, missionary, Tolsta, from £5 to £8, beginning with the last half-year.
NOTE.—Mr. MacGillivray, Treasurer, drew attention to two matters of some importance, first, that the comparative smallness of sums arising out of Bank Interest was due to the fact that at the time of his becoming interim Treasurer, interest had already been added to capital; and, secondly, that the large balance to the credit of the Organisation Fund was largely owing to contributions by our friends in Canada.
Southern Presbytery and Memorial Minutes
THE LATE REV. W. SCOTT, CHESLEY, ONTARIO, AND THE LATE
MR. JOHN AULD, ELDER, GLASGOW.
THE following Memorial Minutes were adopted at a meeting of the Southern Presbytery, held on 24th April:—
The late Rev. W. Scott.—”The Presbytery desires to record its deep sense of the loss sustained by the Church in the death of the Rev. Walter Scott, Chesley, Ontario, Canada, who was inducted by this Presbytery to the Chesley Congregation on 11th October, 1912. The Court esteemed Mr. Scott as a brother in Christ, a faithful witness for the truth, and an able preacher of the Gospel, and it expresses its most sincere sympathy with the Chesley Congregation in the removal of so devoted a pastor at a time when his services were so much needed. The Presbytery seeks to bow to the will of Him who sitteth upon the throne in connection with this trying dispensation, and prays that the Lord of the harvest may, in the riches of His grace, send forth labourers into His harvest, earnestly hoping that He may soon provide a pastor for the Chesley Congregation who will feed the people with knowledge and understanding. The Presbytery, in conclusion, expresses its deepest sympathy with Mr. Scott’s widow in the great bereavement she has sustained, and with the other relatives in their loss, and instructs the Clerk to forward a copy of this Minute to the Chesley Congregation and Mrs. Scott.”
The late Mr. John Auld, Elder.—”The Presbytery records its deep regret at the death of Mr. John Auld, elder, John Knox’s Congregation, a member of this Court, who passed away after a comparatively short illness on the 9th March. The Presbytery entertained a very high esteem of Mr. Auld’s personal piety and usefulness, and deplores the breach made by his removal. The Presbytery desires to tender its deepest sympathy to his widow and family in the great bereavement they have sustained, and instructs the Clerk to forward a copy of this Minute to Mrs. Auld.”