THE Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met at Inverness on Tuesday evening, the 21st May. There was a good attendance of members. Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall (retiring Moderator), preached at 6.30 p.m. His text was Joshua xxiv. 25. Thereafter he constituted the Court with prayer. Rev. Murdo Morrison, Lochinver, was chosen as the new Moderator, and took the Chair. The Synod had four Sederunts, the concluding one being held on the forenoon of Thursday, the 23rd.
One of the principal items of business was the consideration of the Reply received from the Commission of the present Free Church, published in our issue of last month. Rev. John R. Mackay, Inverness, submitted a motion (for details see next issue), to the effect that the Synod appoint a Committee to confer with the Free Church Committee on the subject of the Union of the two bodies. Mr. Mackay’s motion was seconded by the Rev. Alexander Macrae, Portree, and supported by the Rev. Andrew Sutherland, Ullapool. The Rev. Neil Cameron, Glasgow, submitted the following motion:—”The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland reaffirms the deliverance adopted in 1905, to the effect that this Court cannot consider a proposal for union with any Church which does not hold, without the least dubiety, both in profession and practice, the whole doctrine of the Westminster Confession of Faith, including the most fundamental doctrine of the infallibility and inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures, along with the Form of Church Government, and Form of Worship and Discipline of this Church. The Synod, having seriously considered the Reply of the Commission of Assembly of the present Free Church, drawn up in November, 1917, in reference to this “Statement of Differences” sent by this Synod to said Assembly in the previous May, has come to the conclusion that, as that reply is largely made up of evasive statements, and suggestions of compromise, no useful purpose can be served by continuing this correspondence. The Synod, therefore, resolves that, in view of all the circumstances, the correspondence take end.” The motion was seconded by the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall. After speeches and discussion, the Moderator put the motions to the meeting. There voted for Rev. J. R. Mackay’s motion:—Revs. A. Macrae, Portree; A. Sutherland, Ullapool; N. Matheson, Halkirk; and J. R. Mackay, Inverness—total, 4; while there voted for the Rev. Neil Cameron’s motion:—Revs. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall; D. Beaton, Wick; Neil Macintyre, Stornoway; E. Macqueen, Kames; A. Mackay, Oban; D. Graham, Shieldaig; D. A. Macfarlane, Lairg; Neil Cameron, and J. S. Sinclair, 9 ministers; with Messrs. John Macdonald, Gairloch; Neil Mackinnon, Portree; Alex. Mackenzie, Lochbroom; John Stewart, Lochcarron; Alex. Mackenzie, Stornoway; Donald Mackenzie, Lochinver; Angus Stewart, Inverness; Murdo Urquhart, Dingwall; Alexander Gray, Lairg; Angus Macrae, St. Jude’s, Glasgow; and Murdo Campbell, Oban—11 elders—total, 20. Rev. D. Mackenzie, Gairloch, did not vote for either motion. He expressed agreement with Mr. Cameron’s motion, except as to the conclusion of it, which he wished to run to the effect that the F.P. Church refuse to consider any communication from the Free Church, anent a conference with a view to union, until the Free Church itself removes all the obstacles stated in the deliverance of our Synod of 1917. Revs. J. R. Mackay, A. Macrae, A. Sutherland, and N. Matheson recorded their dissent (without reasons) from the Synod’s finding.
Among the items of business, it was decided to send a cablegram of thanks to President Wilson of the United States for his recent order as to Sabbath rest, and his appointment of a “Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer;” a telegram of best wishes to Field-Marshall Sir Douglas Haig; messages to Soldiers and Sailors, and bereaved friends; as also a deputation (consisting of Revs. Neil Cameron, and J. R. Mackay) to the Prime Minister to plead for the recall of the Envoy to the Pope. We hope (D.V.) to have a full report of business in the July issue.