BY THE REV. D. BEATON, WICK.
THE following Report was read by Rev. D. Beaton at meeting of Synod on 22nd May, 1917, and adopted:—
On being asked by the Canadian Mission Committee to visit the Canadian Mission Stations as the Church’s deputy for last year, I very gladly accepted the invitation, and, though there were dangers to be faced on the sea, still the thought that the Ruler of heaven and earth could keep one as safely on sea as on land, banished all thought of fear, and I think, I can honestly say, that I realised a new and deep significance in the words of Scripture: —“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.”
Our vessel, the “Tuscania,” of the Anchor Line, a magnificent ship, set sail from Glasgow on the 27th May. The following day we reached Liverpool about noon, and, after taking on board an immense number of mail bags, and embarking passengers, some of whom had no little trouble over their passports, we lay in the Mersey awaiting the orders of the Admiralty for our course and time of sailing. About nine o’clock we weighed anchor, and
the mighty vessel set outward on its perilous course through the submarine-infested area. A torpedo boat destroyer accompanied us until we were almost out of the danger zone. The sense of security these agile watch-dogs of the sea give to timorous voyagers is marvellous, and one could only wish that a confidence as implicit and unhesitating was put in Him who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand. The weather, during the outward voyage, on the whole, was very pleasant, and with the exception of a day or so, the Atlantic presented no difficulties, even to those unaccustomed to the vagaries of the deep. As we reached New York rumours, vague at first, but increasing in definiteness, spread regarding the great sea battle of Jutland. The first news was very depressing, and the thought of so many homes sorely stricken had a sobering effect on the feelings of exhilaration experienced by voyagers on their first sight of land after many days at sea. As the great vessel made her way leisurely to her dock, a splendid view was obtained of the interned German ships, conspicuous among them being the “Vaterland,” the largest ship afloat. “What splendid vessels!” remarked a fellow-passenger, with self-evident pride, who on the voyage across made no hiding that his sympathies were with our enemies. “Yes!” I replied, “they will be very useful to us later on;” a forecast that has had a realisation not then anticipated through the entrance of the States into the War. We landed on Monday (5th June), and, after passing through the hands of the Customs and the Aliens Officers, I took train northwards by the Lehigh Valley for Canada. I would have spent some days at New York visiting friends there, from whom I, in common with the other deputies, had received much kindness; but owing to the fact that my first intention had been to go by Montreal, which was cancelled at the last moment, I had not the addresses of these friends, neither was there time to get them before sailing.
On my way northwards I broke the journey at Seaforth, and spent a night at Egmondville, the home of Mr. Daniel Clark, who for so many years acted as missionary to our people in Canada. He is now very frail, “waiting His coming,” as he put it himself. The nine years which have elapsed since last we met have laid their weight heavily upon him. His warm-hearted and genial spouse is as kind as ever, and makes her home a home indeed to sojourners from across the seas. Next day I proceeded north to Chesley, and was met at the station by Mrs. Scott and other friends. Mrs. Scott’s house was made my headquarters during my sojourn in the States and Canada. She was mourning the loss of her beloved husband (the Rev. Walter Scott), and every incident that recalled the loss sustained opened the fountain of sorrow afresh. The whole-hearted and generous kindness and attention given me in this home by Mrs. Scott, Nurse MacDonald (her sister), and Nurse Scott (her sister-in-law), will not soon be forgotten. The congregation of Chesley was
formerly in connection with the Associate Presbyterian Synod of America, and was received as one of the congregations of the Free Presbyterian Church. This congregation has suffered very severe losses in the removal by death of the minister, Rev. Walter Scott, and two elders—Messrs. Dobbie and James Scott; and also one of the trustees, Mr. Andrew Thomson, who took a prominent interest in the affairs of the congregation. It is owing to these circumstances and other difficulties with which they have to contend, and which are known specially to themselves, that the congregation felt keenly that no minister or student was sent them by the Church, according to their request. Owing to the calls made on my time by the other places, I was able to give only five Sabbaths at Chesley. I would here press on the attention of the Synod, as I have already done on the Canadian Mission Committee, the necessity of the Church making a special effort to send a minister or student to Chesley and the other parts of the Mission in Ontario. The meetings at Chesley are conducted by Mr. William Kyle and Mr. Alexander MacFarlane (a native of Tarbert, Lochfyné). During my visit the infant daughter (Walterina Scott) of Mr MacFarlane, was baptised, and on my second last Sabbath in Canada the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered. It was a pleasant and refreshing time for the preacher and, I trust, for the people also. The Report on the Church Building in which this congregation worships has already been presented to, and considered by, the Presbyteries of the Church, and I need not make any further reference to it here. Mr. James Scott, the only surviving elder in the congregation, and an uncle of Mr. Hugh Scott, another of our elders at East Williams, was suffering from a fatal disease, which rendered his presence at our meetings an impossibility, and deprived us of much-needed, and what would have been invaluable, counsel. Mr. Scott passed away while I was at Lochalsh, and I was glad to be within reach to attend the funeral, and thus pay my last respects to a worthy man. The few opportunities I had of conversing with him, weighed down and oppressed though he was with trouble, made me feel that he was a stranger and pilgrim here, and that he was seeking that city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God. He was a man of sterling Christian character, wise in counsel, an exemplary elder, and a trusty friend.
My next preaching station was at Newton, where services were held on Sabbath, 18th June, and a prayer-meeting on the Wednesday evening. During the week visits were paid to a few of our people and sympathisers with the cause there. A month later another service was held on Sabbath, 16th July. The attendances on the first Sabbath were very gratifying, and, though not quite so good on the second Sabbath, possibly owing to the great heat, they were encouraging. Mr. Phineas MacDonald and his family did all they could to make my stay in that part of
the country pleasant, and it is encouraging to know that the cause in Newton is still in existence after all that it has come through.
From Chesley I proceeded to East Williams, and preached here for three Sabbaths, conducting prayer-meetings during the week and visiting our people. This was the first place in Canada at which I preached nine years ago, and the impression made on my mind by the place and people remained during the intervening years. There were, however, many changes. Quite a number who were then hale and hearty had passed away. Old age, with its many burdens, had marked out others, and there were many evidences that their faces were turned towards the setting sun. During my stay at East Williams I put up at the house of Mr. D. N. Mackenzie, a son of the late Mr. David Mackenzie, one of our elders at East Williams. It is with pleasure I acknowledge my great indebtedness to Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie for their kindness to me during my stay at East Williams. On the last Sabbath of my sojourn at this place, the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed. At this time I was suffering from a rather severe attack of bronchitis, and this, coupled with the solemn work on hand, filled my mind with thoughts of deep concern, lest I might not be able to get through the services, but, as the services proceeded, strength was given for the burden, and my trouble somewhat abated, so that I felt stronger and better at the end of the services on Monday than I did at the beginning. In this I would seek to acknowledge the Lord’s great kindness to me. The services, especially on the Communion Sabbath, were very well attended, and the people listened with rapt attention. It gave me pleasure to see that our aged, and now infirm, friend Mr. Macleish, was able to be out and attend to the duties of his office.
Before going west to Winnipeg, I purposed to return to Chesley, where I preached on Sabbath the 23rd and 30th July, and held prayer-meetings there during the week. On Wednesday night, 2nd August, accompanied by my agreeable and helpful companion in travel, Mr. John Matheson, Granum, Alberta, we turned our faces towards the great West. We left Chesley for Owen’s Sound about 10 at night, and sailed soon after the arrival of the train. The sail on these mighty inland seas is one that is not soon forgotten. The weather was all that could be desired, and one had a splendid opportunity of watching the great wheat freighters, laden with cargoes more precious than gold. After two nights and the greater part of two days on Lakes Huron and Superior, the vessel reached Fort-William, where we took train on Friday night, reaching Winnipeg on Saturday about 7 o’clock p.m. We were met at the station by Mr. Gillies, who is conducting the services in Winnipeg, and taken to the house of Mr. William Sinclair, who, when I became minister of Wick, was only a young boy in my congregation, and now he is married with a young family gathered around him, all
which reminded me forcibly of the flight of time. As in other places so here, everything was done by Mr. Sinclair and his thoughtful wife to make me feel that I was not a stranger in a strange land. I have also to acknowledge my deep indebtedness to Mr. and Mrs. Gillies for their kindness to me during my stay in the city. The people turned out very well to the services, and the meeting-place was uncomfortably packed at the night services. This, in the warm weather, was certainly an inconvenience, but it was overbalanced by the congregation having this place as their own, and we hope when the day comes when the prosperity which lured many of our young people to leave their native land and go to the Great West is realised, that they won’t forget that it is written to the credit of one of old, “He built us a synagogue.” Impressed as I was with the importance of Winnipeg during my first visit, that impression was only deepened on my second. This mighty city, with the vigour of youth, is expanding by leaps and bounds; into it is pouring the youth of the European nations, and thousands from the Highlands of Scotland, and the Church would do well to give its best attention to Winnipeg, which is the door opening to the new country of the West. Mr. Gillies, who, I am glad to say, is giving general satisfaction, was very helpful to me during my visit to Winnipeg in conducting the Gaelic services and in acting as my guide in visiting the people in their homes. The congregations addressed in Winnipeg were in keeping with the mixed population of the city, and were the most ecclesiastically cosmopolitan I addressed anywhere. There were Dutch from Holland; Anglicans and Strict Baptists from England; Reformed Presbyterians from Ireland and America; Established, United Free, and Free Church people, Original Seceders and Free Presbyterians from Scotland; while Americans and Canadians were also represented. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered on the third Sabbath of August. The attention given to the preaching was very marked, and there are evident signs that some of the young people are seriously impressed. Personally, I felt my visit to Winnipeg as a reviving and refreshing experience. It was during my second week at Winnipeg that I received a letter from Mr. Hugh MacKay (son of the late Mr. John MacKay, Swordly, Sutherlandshire), Vancouver, inviting me in the name of some of our people there to pay them a visit. This was something on which I had not reckoned when I left home, and when I thought of the distance and the upsetting of my arrangements, the lengthening out of my stay in Canada with the consequent delay of my return home, I was inclined to refuse the invitation. But on reading the letter with its pressing appeal, and the assurance that the Church at home would not have to bear any expense, I prayed that the Lord might guide me in the matter. After this I felt it my duty to go. Consequently I set out on Tuesday night (22nd August) on the long journey to the West, going by what is
known as the Crow’s Nest route, and reached Vancouver on Saturday morning (26th August), being four nights and three days on the journey. The train journey, once the far-stretching prairies had lost their novelty, became very monotonous until we reached the western part of Alberta, and entered into the bush-covered tracts of British Columbia, with its varied scenery of mountains, rivers, and lakes—a pleasant change to a Scotsman after the seemingly endless expanse of flat prairie land. Part of our time was spent on board the Canadian Pacific Railway lake boats on the Kootenay and Arrowhead Lakes.
On arrival at Vancouver, we were met at the station by Mr. Donald MacDougall, a grand-nephew of the late Rev. Donald MacDonald, Shieldaig, and I at once felt a special interest in him owing to his relationship to the saintly minister of Shieldaig. There is a great number of Gaelic-speaking people from all parts of the Highlands in this rising city of the Pacific coast. Mr. Gillies, who accompanied me, preached in Gaelic, and the congregations were the largest addressed in Canada. There were representatives from Assynt, the Reay Country, Caithness, North Uist, Dingwall, and other parts of the Highlands. The congregations consisted mostly of young people, and my prayer for them all is that they would ponder over the words of David to Solomon:—”Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever” (1 Chron. xxviii. 9). The warmth of the welcome after the long journey was a refreshing experience, and made the parting which came so quickly (as I could only remain two Sabbaths there) all the more keenly felt. Mr. and Mrs. MacKay spared no pains in making us feel quite at home. My next destination was Detroit, and, owing to its distance from Vancouver, I decided to break my journey at Winnipeg on my way eastwards, which arrangement allowed Mr. Gillies to remain another Sabbath in Vancouver. Our train left Vancouver on Tuesday night, and, after a continuous train journey of three days and three nights, with the exception of a break of a few hours at Calgary, I reached Winnipeg safely on Friday night.
The Canadian Pacific Railway track runs through country of surpassing beauty, and for part of the way, skirts the Fraser River, famous for its salmon. The Selkirk range of mountains is grand and imposing, and, with the Rockies, presents a scene of awe-inspiring grandeur to the eye. The mighty mountains towering high above one, the glaciers on the mountain sides, the beautiful lakes nestling in their bosom, and the swift-flowing rivers are surely as grand a scene in God’s creation as can be seen anywhere. The services on the last Sabbath I preached at Winnipeg were well attended, and on Tuesday
following I set out on my journey for Detroit, the first part of the journey being by train to Fort-William, and then by boat to Sarnia. The Grand Trunk S.S. “Noronic” is a magnificent ship, and had a full complement of Americans on board. The light-hearted gaiety of the company showed that the titanic struggle in Europe was not weighing heavily upon them. The whole demeanour of these voyagers was in striking contrast with the sober bearing of the great crowd assembled at the Union Station on the night on which I left Winnipeg, and who had come to bid farewell to soldier friends who were on their way to England and thence to France. The attention given to passengers on board this ship, and the efforts made by the officials to make them have pleasant memories of their trip, excel anything of the kind I have ever experienced. After two days and two nights on the Great Lakes, our vessel reached Sarnia early on Friday morning, and the journey by train from thence to Detroit occupied but a few hours. I was met at the station by Mr. and Mrs. MacKenzie, whose guest I was during my stay in that city. Detroit is the centre of the automobile or motor car industry in the States, and the rush of traffic and the whirl of ceaseless activity all round, which is a feature of American cities, is particularly marked here. The meetings in Detroit are not so large as in some of the other places, but what is lacking in numbers is made up for in enthusiasm. I preached two Sabbaths here, and during my stay we had two prayer-meetings—one at the house of Mr. MacNelly and the other at Mr. MacKay’s (a native of Lewis). These meetings were well attended, and good attention was given to the preaching. It might be well for friends in this country who have acquaintances in Detroit or the vicinity to note Mr. R. S. MacKenzie’s address, viz., 474 East Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, and let them know that Mr. MacKenzie will be only too pleased to give the date when the deputy is expected and the address of the place of meeting. After almost a fortnight’s stay, I left Detroit for Wardsville with pleasant recollections of Mr. and Mrs. MacKenzie’s great kindness. On Friday night after my arrival at Wardsville we had a prayer meeting at Mr. MacKenzie’s, whose house is distant some six miles from Mr. and Mrs. MacLennan’s, with whom I was staying. This meeting was well attended as were also the services on Sabbath. It would be a great matter if the deputy in future could give an extra Sabbath or two both to Detroit and Wardsville. On Tuesday I bade farewell to my kind host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. MacLennan, and, after a drive of six miles, boarded the train en route for Didsbury. Here I was met by Mr. Hugh Scott, and, after another six miles’ drive, we reached Lobo. Next day we drove to East Williams where I preached, and thereafter had an election of elders. Mr. Phineas MacDonald, Newton, was duly elected, and it was decided, should Mr. MacDonald accept of office, that his ordination would take place at Lochalsh.
From Lobo I proceeded to Brucefield to make a call on Mr. George Baird, who, through failing sight, was not able to attend any of our meetings. From Brucefield we drove over to Egmondville and stayed the night with Mr. Clark. While at Egmondville, I drove out into the country, a distance of four miles or so, to visit a nephew of Mr. Clark’s who was dying. From Seaforth I proceeded to Kincardine, a finely situated town on the shores of Lake Huron. Here, too, there were many changes during nine years’ interval, but I was pleased to find both Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie, with whom I stayed on this occasion, and from whom I had received much kindness on my former visit, still hale and hearty, and as deeply interested in the cause as ever. On Wednesday, 11th October, Mr. Hugh Mackenzie drove me to Lochalsh, a distance of 16 miles. Here I put up at Mr. Murdo Matheson’s. The change made by time and its incidents on this home has been very great. Nine years ago father and mother were living, and now both are gone to their everlasting rest; around them then in the home at the Communion season there were eight sons and a daughter; this time there were but two sons and a daughter; the others had gone West and one, Mr. William Matheson, had come to Scotland. But it is interesting to note that the young people are following in the footsteps of their respected parents and shewing respect to the cause of Christ, and a desire to maintain it in the place of their nativity. I feel it my duty also to specially acknowledge my great obligations to Mr. Murdo Matheson, who, at a very busy season of the year, put aside his own interests and drove me from place to place to visit the people of the congregation. The same tribute must also be ungrudgingly given to his sister, Miss Bella Matheson, who did not spare herself, in the midst of pressing home duties, to do all in her power to make me as comfortable as possible. It was during my visit to Lochalsh that Mr. James Scott, elder, Chesley, died, and I drove over to Chesley, a distance of 50 miles by motor car, returning same day. This was the first and only funeral I had the experience of attending during both my visits to Canada. Two Sabbaths only were given to Lochalsh, on the second of which the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered. During the week Mr. MacDonald, Newton, who had been elected to the eldership, was ordained. The weather, during the Communion week, was rather wet and stormy and this, no doubt, interfered with the attendance, especially of those at a distance.
I may be permitted to suggest to future deputies the advisability of visiting Lochalsh earlier in the season than I did. The Kirk-Session decided to ask Mr. Murdo Matheson to preside at the meetings in Lochalsh and thus keep the Church open every Sabbath. Mr. Matheson fell in with the Session’s request. Mr. Donald MacDonald, Chesley, appeared before the Session seeking to be received as a student of the Church. The Session’s
Statement has been sent to the Clerk of the Synod. As I had promised to return to Chesley to administer the Lord’s Supper before leaving for home, and as the winter was now fast approaching, I had regretfully to cut off a Sabbath each from Kincardine and Lochalsh’s share of the deputy’s service, but may I bespeak for these places the interest and goodwill of the next deputy to make up my lack of service towards them. On the 25th October I crossed over to Chesley, where, as reported already, the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered. Owing to the cancelling of the sailing of the vessel I purposed to embark, another week was added to my stay in Canada and another Sabbath was given to Chesley. Before leaving Chesley some friends of our cause sent me an invitation to give a Sabbath at Port Dover, but, as my arrangements were made, I had regretfully to decline the invitation, while, at the same time, expressing the hope that the next deputy might be able to visit this place. On Monday, 6th November, I bade farewell to my kind friends at Chesley, and set my face towards the Atlantic seaboard. The journey was broken at Toronto, where I had a meeting in the house of Mr. Roderick Campbell; after the service Mr. Campbell’s infant daughter (Ruth) was baptized. On Thursday I left Toronto for Montreal, much indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell for their unaffected kindness. Miss Scott, a sister of the late Rev. Walter Scott, who was returning to Scotland, accompanied me on the journey and voyage. After a train journey of nine hours, Montreal was reached, and we boarded the vessel that was to carry us across the Atlantic about seven o’clock at night. Early next morning the ship loosed from her moorings, and sailed gently down the St. Lawrence. The weather was very calm, and one had a splendid opportunity of viewing the country as the ship went smoothly on her course. The River and Gulf have their own tragedies. Just above Quebec is the great bridge that snapped nine years ago, and, again, last year, carrying many men into the deep waters. Here, too, the sinking of the “Empress of India” in a fog sent a thrill of sorrow throughout the British Empire. The City of Quebec, to the student of history, makes an especial appeal: here are the very rocks which Wolfe’s men climbed; a deed of daring and fine generalship that has added lustre to the name of the gallant general who fell in the hour of victory. As we got out into the Atlantic the weather changed for the worse and we were in the grip of a storm (the fiercest experienced by the vessel since she was built ten years ago), all the way until we came to Glasgow. The storm rendered the submarine menace less remote though it brought a new danger from drifting mines, but, strange to say, it was the submarine danger that was most before the minds of the voyagers. Every care was taken by the captain and his officers, and one learned to have a deeper respect for the officers and men of the Mercantile Marine who are running so many risks in these days. Still, while
giving them all credit, I could not help thinking of the Psalmist’s words:—”Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain,” words which, while acknowledging the human instrument, direct the thoughts to the true source of our preservation. During the voyage I conducted Divine Service on the two Sabbaths we were at sea. Late on Sabbath night, the 19th November, we sailed up the Clyde, but, fortunately, we were not asked to disembark until Monday. A gloomy pall of darkness hung over Glasgow and seemed in keeping with one’s feelings in returning to a land, which, in the interval of six months, had drunk so deeply of sorrow. The poet’s words naturally rose to the mind:—
“The air is full of farewells to the dying,
And mournings for the dead.”
I have endeavoured to acknowledge my indebtedness to many friends who showed me kindness during my sojourn in America and Canada, but there were many others who deserve grateful acknowledgment though their names are not mentioned. I also would take this opportunity of tendering my sincere thanks to the ministers and laymen who kindly supplied my pulpit during my absence, and especially to Rev. Norman Matheson, Halkirk, upon whom, to a large extent, fell the responsibility of arranging for supply. For all God’s kindness and goodness to me during my sojourn in Canada, for His preserving care over me when journeying on land and sailing on the sea, I would seek to make grateful and humble acknowledgment, and the fact that He kept me ought to awaken within me a desire to serve Him more loyally than ever before. There were days when owing to the state of my health, which was somewhat indifferent at times, and the fatigue in travelling long distances with constant visiting made me feel the strain much more than I did on my former visit, but now that it is all over, I look back on the time spent in Canada and the States with genuine pleasure. The meeting with God’s people, young and old, was a cordial which I stood much in need of, and which was graciously granted. This mighty land is calling to you, brethren, at the early dawn of its development. What it yet will be we cannot tell, but He, to whom the uttermost parts of the earth have been given for His possession, shall yet gather from those wide rolling plains a harvest more abundant and precious than ever was reaped by the hand of man. There are golden opportunities which, if allowed to slip, may never come again. And the cry of the young people from the Highlands of Scotland for preachers to declare to them the unsearchable riches of Christ shall surely not fall on unsympathetic ears. Had I the vigour as strong and keen as the desire to do something for Canada, I would willingly place my services at the disposal of the Church to be used in the field covered by our Canadian Mission, and I sincerely hope my words will make some appeal to my brethren and turn their thoughts to the land which is at the
present the home of so many of our young people, and destined to be the home of many more in the near future. Ten years ago Mr. MacQueen presented to this Synod a Petition from the Canadian Mission in which the Petitioners say:—”It is to be feared that, unless something approaching constant service can be obtained, the Free Presbyterian Church in Ontario will eventually die out, as death has already removed many of our people, and many more of them have reached an age that leaves little hope of their remaining very long with us. And, at the same time, there are so many inducements to entice our young people to go to other churches, that, without a stated ministry, it seems impossible to keep them from leaving the Free Presbyterian Church.” This Petition was signed by George Forrest, David MacKenzie, Daniel Clark, Hugh Scott, Archibald MacLeish, William Menzies, John Morrison, and William Matheson. And it is, with pathetic interest, we record that of these signatories only Messrs. Daniel Clark, Archibald MacLeish, and Hugh Scott are now living, and both Mr. Clark and Mr. MacLeish are very infirm.
I have now to report briefly in regard to the financial aspect of my visit that, after paying all expenses, there was a sum of £28 handed over to the General Treasurer of the Church. Besides this I received \$92.75 for various Funds of the Church, including a legacy of \$50 from the late Mr. James Scott, Chesley. These sums have already been acknowledged in the Magazine.
Spying at the Vatican.—We do not now read so much in the public press concerning the Pope and his attempts at intermeddling in the diplomatic affairs of the warring world as in the earlier days of the War. Evidently a somewhat effective snub was administered to him for his pro-Teutonic endeavours from some discerning and authoritative quarter. There can be no doubt, however, that the subterranean activities of the Vatican will be only the more energetic for this. An example of the methods of high Vatican officials is to be seen in the conduct of one, Von Gerlach, whom the Pope chose as his private chamberlain. A man of strong pro-Teutonic sympathies, and of deep cunning, unrestrained by any honourable scruples, the Pope saw in him one worthy of close attachment to his person. The Italian Government procures most ample proof of his use of special privileges, with which the Vatican is honoured, for such base ends as to suggest the proverbial conduct of the viper cherished in the bosom. He escaped from Italian soil. Sentence of imprisonment for life was imposed upon him in absence. How deplorably sad it is that such lessons pass so largely unheeded by those responsible for the retention of a British Envoy at the Vatican! How dark and dismal a thing it is that the precious name of Christ is used to cloak the foulest system on earth, opposed to true human freedom and welfare!