“The Southern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, taking into consideration the desolating judgments that are abroad in the world at the present time, desire to call the attention of the Prime Minister and others in authority to the teaching of God’s Word as to such matters from the typical case of the Jewish Nation.
“The Presbytery would point out that the main causes, according to the Scriptures, of the terrible judgments which God brought upon the Jewish Nation, in ancient and later times, were the sins of Idolatry, Sabbath desecration, and Contempt of the messages of the divinely-inspired Prophets, as may be seen from the Thirty-sixth Chapter of Second Chronicles, and other passages.
“The Presbytery would, respectfully but very seriously, call the attention of the rulers of the British nation at a time of unprecedented trial to the following present evils, which may be justly regarded as causes of God’s wrath:—
(1) The countenance given by the chief persons in the nation to Masses and Idolatrous Services, both in the Roman Catholic Church and in professedly Protestant Churches. (2) The great amount of Sabbath Desecration in breach of God’s just and good commandment, which is practiced in all branches of Government service, and in general National service throughout the country. (3) The existence of a ‘hidden plague’ of immorality as well as of the more open evil of drunkenness, along with the license given to many forms of amusement that are entirely incongruous at such a serious time as the present.
“The Presbytery, in consideration of such evils, would earnestly appeal to the Prime Minister and others in authority to use their great influence to secure the appointment of a National Week-Day for Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, after the example of godly ancestors whom God heard and delivered for His name’s sake from impending calamities, as the result of such religious exercises. The Presbytery would also earnestly recommend that a stop be put to Theatres, Picture Houses, Horse Racing, Drink Traffic, and Football Matches, as the Presbytery considers these things a scandal to the country, when so many choice young men are bleeding to death on the fields of battle, and the dire calamity of famine appears to be threatened.
“The Presbytery, in conclusion, would acknowledge, with thankfulness to God and to the human instruments He has employed, the measure of success that has attended the efforts of the Allies in the present terrible conflict, but the Presbytery feel bound to state, as their humble judgment, that the War is not likely to be ended speedily, or to be ended in a manner that shall be for the glory of God and the moral and spiritual good of the nation, unless a Reformation takes place on the lines that have been indicated.”
PROTEST TO THE GLASGOW TOWN COUNCIL AGAINST SABBATH WORK ON ALLOTMENTS.
“The Southern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland desire to enter their solemn protest against the action of the Town Council of Glasgow in giving permission to the people of the city to dig and delve on the Lord’s Day the allotments of land, set at their disposal for planting potatoes and other vegetables in view of the War time.
“The Presbytery would respectfully warn the Town Council that, whatever power they may possess as to the suspension of local bye-laws—a power, indeed, which they have exercised in the present case contrary to the views of many respectable citizens—they have exceeded their powers as to the general law of this nation, and above all as to the law of God, for God says: (Exodus xxxiv. 21), ‘Six days shalt thou work; but on the seventh day thou shalt rest; in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.’
“The Presbytery would, finally, remind the Town Council and the people that no war time exigencies can justify such profanity of the sacred Day of Rest, and that all who indulge in it expose themselves to the righteous displeasure of God who has sanctified the Sabbath Day and hallowed it.”