Meeting of Synod—Full Report

THE Annual Meeting of the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland was opened in the Church at Inverness on Tuesday evening, the 21st day of May, 1918. The retiring Moderator, Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall, conducted public worship at 6-30 p.m., and preached from Joshua xxiv. 25, “So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.”

FIRST SEDERUNT.

After public worship was ended, about 7-45 p.m., the Moderator constituted the Synod with prayer. The roll was then called, and there were present: From the Southern Presbytery—Revs. Neil Cameron, St. Jude’s, Glasgow; Ewen Macqueen, Kames; Alexander Mackay, Oban; and J. S. Sinclair, John Knox’s, Glasgow (Clerk), ministers; with Messrs. Angus Macrae, St. Jude’s, and Murdo Campbell, Oban, elders. From the Western Presbytery—Revs. Alexander Macrae, Portree; Neil Macintyre, Stornoway; Duncan Mackenzie, Gairloch; Donald Graham, Shieldaig; Murdo Morrison, Lochinver; and Andrew Sutherland, Ullapool, ministers; with Messrs. Neil Mackinnon, Portree; John Macdonald, Gairloch; John Stewart, Lochcarron (for Shieldaig, etc.); and Donald Mackenzie, Lochinver, elders. From the Northern Presbytery—Revs. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall; John R. Mackay, Inverness; Norman Matheson, Halkirk; and D. A. Macfarlane, Lairg, ministers; with Messrs. Murdo Urquhart, Dingwall; Angus Stewart, Inverness; and Alexander Gray, Lairg, elders. The Clerk intimated apologies for absence from Revs. D. N. Macleod, Harris, and D. M. Macdonald, North Uist (in London). Mr. James Campbell was appointed Officer of Court, and agreed to undertake the duties.

The minutes of the last meeting of Synod were read and approved of. At this stage the Moderator (Rev. D. Macfarlane) intimated that his term of office had expired, and that it now lay with the Synod to appoint his successor. Rev. Neil Cameron moved that the Rev. Murdo Morrison, Lochinver, who had refused to accept office on the previous occasion, should be appointed Moderator for the ensuing year. The motion was seconded by the Rev. Norman Matheson, Halkirk, and unanimously agreed to. Mr. Morrison rose and thanked the Court for the honour it had conferred upon him. He thought, however, that the Synod might have asked a more capable minister to occupy the Chair in the present circumstances. At the same time, as he had refused on last occasion, he had decided, in dependence on the grace of God, and craving the indulgence of his brethren, to accept the office. He then took the Chair.

The Clerk reported as to the deliverances drawn up by Committees appointed by last meeting of Synod, namely, the following—Loyal Address to the King, the new Time Regulation, the use of Unfermented Wine and the Individual Cup, Canadian Soldiers and British Camp Evils, and the Opium Traffic. He read the reply received from the King, through the Secretary for Scotland.

Rev. E. Macqueen moved that the same ministers as acted on the former occasion, along with Mr. Angus Stewart, elder, be appointed as a Committee to draw up the Loyal Address to the King. The motion was seconded by the Rev. D. Graham, and unanimously agreed to. Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the members of Synod meet (d.v.) as a Committee on Bills and Overtures in the Church at ten o’clock next morning. The motion was seconded by the Rev. Neil Cameron, and agreed to. It was also arranged that the Synod hold two regular sederunts next day, at 2 p.m. and 6-30 p.m.

The Synod adjourned, to meet again (d.v.) the following day at 2 p.m. The sederunt was closed with praise and prayer.

SECOND SEDERUNT.

The Synod resumed its sitting on Wednesday, 22nd May, 1918, at 2 p.m. The meeting was opened with devotional exercises, conducted by the Moderator, the Rev. Murdo Morrison, Lochinver.

The roll was called, and there were present the same members as at the previous sederunt, with the addition of the Rev. D. Beaton from the Northern Presbytery, and Messrs. Alexander Mackenzie, Lochbroom, and Alexander Mackenzie, Stornoway, elders, from the Western Presbytery.

The minutes of the first sederunt were read and approved of. The Rev. Alexander Mackay, Oban, moved that the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall, be asked to send the sermon, which he preached as retiring Moderator, for publication in the Magazine. The motion was agreed to. Mr. Macfarlane consented to the Synod’s request.

(1) Reports of Committee on Bills and Overtures.

The Clerk read the report of the Committee on Bills and Overtures, as to the order of business, which was adopted.

(2) Reports of Examiners of Presbytery Records.

Rev. E. Macqueen and Mr. A. Macrae, elder, reported favourably as to the Records of the Western Presbytery, while the Rev. Neil Macintyre and Mr. Neil Mackinnon did the same as to the Northern. Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall, said that, as the Clerk of the Southern Presbytery, owing to multiplicity of business, had not the Records prepared for the Synod, they would require to be held over till next meeting.

(3) Appointment of Church Committees.

Rev. Alexander Mackay moved the appointment of the following Committees:—

Theological Committee.

Revs. D. Beaton, E. Macqueen, and N. Macintyre; with Mr. Beaton as Convener.

Finance Committee.

Revs. J. R. Mackay, N. Cameron, and A. Macrae; with Mr. Mackay as Convener.

Canadian Mission Committee.

Revs. D. Beaton, J. S. Sinclair, and N. Macintyre; with Mr. Beaton as Convener.

Foreign Mission Committee.

Revs. Neil Cameron, J. R. Mackay, and Mr. A. Gray, elder, Laig; with Mr. Cameron as Convener.

Church Magazine Committee.

Revs. J. S. Sinclair, Neil Cameron, and Mr. M. Campbell, elder, Oban; with Mr. Sinclair as Convener.

Religion and Morals Committee.

Rev. A. Macrae, and Messrs. Neil Mackinnon and Murdo Urquhart, elders; with Mr. Macrae as Convener.

Mission to Forces Committee.

Revs. Neil Cameron, J. R. Mackay, and Neil Macintyre; with Mr. Cameron as Convener.

The motion with respect to the first six Committees was at once agreed to. Rev. Neil Cameron desired to be relieved of the Convenership of the Mission to Forces Committee, but, at the Synod’s request, he agreed to act again, and the appointment of the Committee was agreed upon in terms of the motion.

(4) Report of Mission to Forces Committee.

Rev. Neil Cameron, as Convener of this Committee, submitted the following report:—

“The Free Presbyterian Church began to send ministers to our countrymen in the Forces in the month of October, 1914. At that time we held Gaelic services each Sabbath at Bedford for the benefit of our soldiers who were stationed there. Along with these services, our deputy went on a week night, each week, to Portsmouth and Chatham to preach Gaelic to Naval men. There were also services held on week nights at Kimbolton, Buckden, and Huntingdon for the benefit of the Lovat Scouts who were stationed in these places. When the soldiers at Bedford were removed to France, and the Lovat Scouts were taken away from the above-named place, we began services on the Sabbath-days alternatively at Chatham and Portsmouth. The Church magnanimously contributed from October, 1914, till March, 1918, £721 18s. 3d. for carrying on this good work. The Admiralty acknowledged our work by paying us £133 11s. We had a balance in Bank on the 31st March of £103.

“We desire to take this opportunity of thanking our ministers for the hearty manner in which they have responded to repeated calls to supply our Naval men, and the alacrity with which our elders took the burden of holding services at home in the absence of the ministers; also the whole-hearted manner in which our congregations encouraged us and strengthened our hands by allowing their ministers to go to our poor fellow-countrymen, and by supporting the Mission to Forces Fund so liberally with their means.

“Many of the Soldiers and Sailors, to whom our deputies spoke the Word of life, have lost their life since. The great day will reveal the result of the efforts put forth on their behalf by our Church. We desire to express our deepest sympathy with all those who have been bereaved.”

Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the Synod receive Mr. Cameron’s Report on the Mission to the Forces, inclusive of the financial statement forming part of the report, thank Mr. Cameron for the same, and respectfully ask him to continue the convenership. Rev. D. Mackenzie seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr. Cameron consented to continue to act as convener.

(5) Finance Committee’s Report.

Mr. Alexander MacGillivray, General Treasurer, read the Annual Financial Statement of the Church’s Funds. The Rev. J. R. Mackay submitted the following motion in adoption of the same:—

“The Synod adopt the General Treasurer’s Financial Statement for the year ending 31st March, 1918, and order the same to be published in an early number of the Magazine. They own and acknowledge the Lord’s goodness in His providence, as revealed in their people’s ability to contribute, and the liberal mind they got to contribute, towards the cause. They tender thanks to Mr. James Campbell and Mr. John Fraser, who have, with so much efficiency, again gratuitously audited the Church’s financial accounts, and to Mr. Alex. MacGillivray, Gen. Treas., for his careful handling of the Church’s finances. They again recommend the Church’s schemes to the practical sympathy of their people, and reappoint the above-named auditors for the current year. Furthermore, in view of the high prices still prevailing on account of the War, they instruct the General Treasurer to remit to ministers the sum of £15 each at Lammas of this year and a similar sum to each minister at the following Candlemas, and also to remit a sum which shall be in proportion to the salaries to each of their missionaries and catechists and probationers, as the Finance Committee will exactly determine; all this to be by way of augmentation of the ordinary salaries of the above-named. The Synod recognise that these transactions have been always carried out by the Finance Committee in the sense intended by the Synod, and the Synod wish the auditors to accept the Finance Committee’s order to the General Treasurer as the General Treasurer’s sufficient warrant for distributing this or any other fund.”

Rev. J. R. Mackay pointed out that the Funds of the Church were in a very satisfactory, healthy state. He remarked that doubtless the large legacies received as well as the amount of money in circulation generally were factors towards this result, but that after all, these were only means in the hands of the Highest, whose providence and kindness they desired to acknowledge.

Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall, seconded the motion, which was adopted.

(6) Appointment of Church Collections.

Rev. D. Mackenzie moved that the Church Collections be appointed on the same dates as previous year according to the following scheme:—(1) Collection for College Fund in August, 1918—notice to be sent by the Convener of the Theological Committee; (2) Home Mission Fund (Missionaries and Catechists), first collection in October, 1918, by book from house to house—notice to be sent by the Convener of the Finance Committee; (3) Organisation Fund (General Expenses), collection in December, 1918—notice to be sent by the Synod Clerk; (4) Church Building Fund in January, 1919—notice to be sent by Synod Clerk; (5) Foreign Mission Fund, collection in February, 1919—notice to be sent by Convener of Foreign Mission Committee; (6) Home Mission Fund, second collection in April, 1919, 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, 1919—notice to be sent by the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall. The motion was seconded by Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, Lochbroom, and agreed to.

(7) Report of Committee on Religion and Morals.

Rev. A. Macrae, Portree, delivered this report, which will (d.v.) appear in next issue. Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved the adoption of the report. Mr. Neil Mackinnon seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Rev. D. Macfarlane spoke of the necessity for a national Day of Humiliation and Prayer, and referred to the commendable action of the President of the United States in this respect. It was moved by the Rev. Neil Cameron that the Synod send a cablegram of thanks to President Wilson for his appointing a national Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer, and also for his recent order in favour of Sabbath rest in connection with the American Army and Navy. The motion was unanimously agreed to.

It was also unanimously agreed to appeal to the Prime Minister and those in authority to take steps for the appointment of an ordinary week-day as a national Day of Humiliation and Prayer. It was further decided that should a Day of Prayer be appointed without the element of “humiliation,” the congregations of this Church will observe the day as a Day of Humiliation as well as Prayer.

Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquors.

Rev. D. Mackenzie called attention to the evil of drunkenness, and submitted the following motion:—”The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland respectfully asks the Government, on account of the evils of strong drink, to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors, as long as the present War lasts, and for all time coming thereafter.” Rev. E. Macqueen seconded the motion. Rev. D. Mackenzie explained that his motion did not mean prohibition of what was required for absolutely necessary and medicinal purposes. The motion was unanimously agreed to.

(8) The Present Education Bill.

Rev. J. R. Mackay called attention to certain features of the Education Bill, presently before Parliament, which seemed to give special privileges to Roman Catholic teachers. The Court decided to remit the matter to a Committee, consisting of Revs. Neil Macintyre, A. Macrae, and Mr. A. Gray, elder, to make full enquiry and to draw up a suitable deliverance, by way of protest, and send same to the Secretary for Scotland.

At this point, the Rev. Ewen Macqueen took up a practical subject in connection with the young who were leaving home, and going to a distance for educational and other purposes. He said it was highly desirable that the minister or others in charge of the home congregation should send their names and addresses to the minister or office-bearers in charge of the F.P. congregation (if there was any) in the place where the young people were going to, so that they might be visited and looked after. He said that there was a great danger of the young, who went to places where they had not hitherto been, drifting away in directions that were not desirable, if they were not under any oversight. He moved accordingly that the Synod instruct ministers and others in charge of congregations to intimate to the people under their care that they send in the names and addresses of young people who had gone or were going to places at a distance, so that notice might be sent to ministers of the Church or others in these places, with a view to their spiritual oversight. The motion was seconded by the Rev. D. Beaton, and unanimously agreed to.

(9) Remits from Presbyteries.

Western Presbytery.

There was a remit from this Court with reference to a petition from the elders of Glendale, asking that Mr. Jas. Macleod, divinity student, who was acting as missionary among them, and lacked only one year of the completion of his divinity course, should be considered as having completed that course, and be allowed to go on trial for licence, with a view to his qualifying in the usual manner for ordination. The Synod, while sympathetic with the petition, did not see its way to accede to the request.

Another remit from this Court had reference to the financial allowance of Mr. D. Ross, who conducts services in North Uist. It was agreed, on the motion of the Rev. D. Macfarlane, seconded by the Rev. J. R. Mackay, that his allowance be raised from £10 to £15.

Northern Presbytery.

This Presbytery petitioned the Synod to take steps to examine the Education Bill before Parliament, and to protest against any undesirable elements in it, such as special privileges to Roman Catholic teachers. As this matter was already dealt with by the Court, it was recognised by the members of the Northern Presbytery that the petition had been met and satisfied.

This Presbytery also petitioned the Synod to appeal to those in authority for the appointment of a National Day of Humiliation and Prayer. This petition was also met and satisfied by a decision already come to by the Synod.

The Court adjourned, to meet again (God willing) at 6-30 p.m. The sederunt was closed with praise and prayer.

THIRD SEDERUNT.

The Synod resumed its sitting at 6-30 p.m., according to terms of adjournment. The sederunt was opened with devotional exercises conducted by the Moderator, Rev. M. Morrison.

The roll was called, and there was a full attendance of the members previously present. The minutes of the previous sederunt were held over till a future occasion.

(10) Report of Committee on Loyal Address to the King.

The Clerk read the following draft of a Loyal Address, drawn up by the Committee :—

A LOYAL ADDRESS BY 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, hereby renew our annual expression of loyalty to your Majesty’s person and throne, and of earnest desire for the prosperity of your Majesty’s reign.

We express again our deepest sympathy with your Majesty in regard to the strain and anxiety caused by the terrible War which still continues to be waged without abatement, and our sincerest hope that the Most High may grant victory to your Majesty’s heroic forces and Allies in the interests of righteousness and peace among the nations. We earnestly pray that God may bless the present strenuous experiences and trials to the moral and spiritual benefit of the Empire, and that all the nations concerned may emerge from the fire of suffering, by the blessing of God, purified from many evils, such as worldliness, infidelity, idolatry, militarism, and pride, that have too greatly prevailed.

We conclude by expressing our heartfelt prayer that God, by His grace, may enable your Majesty, Queen Mary, and Royal Family, to walk in His fear, and to glorify Him in your high and responsible stations to the good of the Empire and the world.”

The draft of Address was approved of.

(II) Report of Foreign Missions Committee.

Rev. Neil Cameron, as Convener of this Committee, first read an interesting Report received from the Rev. John B. Radasi, Free Presbyterian missionary in Matabeleland, South Africa, as embodied in two letters, which will (D.V.) appear in next issue. Mr. Cameron then proceeded to deliver his report, as bearing on the work, as follows:—The Report sent by our worthy missionary, Rev. J. B. Radasi, is an encouraging one. He continues the good practice of giving a Kafir Bible to each scholar who remains at school till he or she can read intelligently the native language. He complains that some are taken away from school before they can read properly their own language. From a former report of his, we understand that these are the children of heathen parents who have not joined the Mission. As I said in a former report, these children receive a Bible, if they are left at school until they can read it, as well as the children of parents who are adherents of our Mission. We notice that he has run out of Bibles, and we shall immediately send him £10 worth.

You will have noticed a very interesting instance of the blessed effect of giving a Bible to the young. He reports that one of the boys went to work in a mine, and continued there the good habit of reading his Bible and praying every morning and evening. A heathen boy came to work in the mine, and lived in the same hut with this boy. The heathen boy strongly protested against his conduct for reading and praying night and morning, but the boy continued to read and pray. At last one morning before daylight the heathen boy cried to this boy to rise and pray, giving, as his reason for doing so, that he had been praying himself, and that he found benefit by it. Then comes the wonderful story of the man who came into their hut and found them holding worship together, as to how he found himself on one occasion between two lions—one coming towards him in front and another from behind, and how, when he had fallen on his knees and prayed, the two lions ran away—and his commendation of prayer to the boys, by saying:—”There is a God in reality, and He does hear prayer.”

Another interesting item in the Report is, that they have now a qualified teacher in the Mission’s chief school at Bembesi. This will help Mr. Radasi very much, as it will relieve him of a part of the heavy work of acting teacher, along with the work of preaching and visiting the sick.

In our last letter to him, we referred to the desirableness of having a converted boy, in whom he would have full confidence, sent over to Scotland to be educated for the office of missionary. He now reports that he had such thoughts about poor Kiwa Mhlahlo, but that, owing to failing health, he was not able to finish one year’s study at Lovedale. We are pleased to notice that he has some hopes of the boy that has gone to Lovedale last February. We would strongly urge upon our praying people at home to make this a matter of prayer to the Lord, also that the Lord would qualify, by His grace, and send forth a young man from the Church at home to labour there.

He gives a most interesting account of one of the wives of the late King Lobengula, as to how she was converted in her old age two years ago, and the good profession she made of her faith in Christ by uttering as her last words:—”I am leaning on Christ alone for salvation.”

He mentions his great need of a cart and mule to enable him to visit the sick in wet weather in the out-stations of the Mission. The cart will cost £30 and the mule about £25. We would commend this needful assistance to the favourable consideration of the Synod.

Donations from Friends in Australia.

As Convener of the Foreign Missions Committee, I should like to report that our friends in Australia have sent their annual contribution to Foreign Missions, and that it is the best they have sent us yet. It amounts to £14 5s.—£9 5s. from the Brushgrove friends, and £5 from our friends on the Richmond River. I know I am expressing the mind of all the members of the Synod in conveying our sincere thanks to them all, and our deep sympathy with them in their isolated position.

Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the Synod receive the Foreign Missions Report, and thank the Committee, especially the Convener, for the same, as well as the Rev. J. B. Radasi, for his interesting account of the Mission, upon which the Report proceeded; and that the Synod advise Mr. Radasi to secure a new mule and cart as a part of his necessary equipment for the Mission work, and authorise the Treasurer to pay the cost out of the Foreign Mission Fund. Mr. Mackay, in a short speech, made allusion to his experiences when he went as a deputy of the Church to visit Mr. Radasi and the Mission, and expressed his appreciation of the helpful way in which Mr. Radasi, as an interpreter, acted towards him, when he was endeavouring to set “the way of life” before the people of the Mission. It was a comfort to him to observe Mr. Radasi’s growing sense of the indispensableness of the regenerating agency of the Holy Spirit in order to the Gospel’s having saving results in the hearers of it. Relative to the new equipment required, Mr. Mackay pointed out that, owing to the roughness of the country without proper roads and the intense heat there experienced continually, carts and such like vehicles did not last long, and required to be often replaced.

The motion was unanimously agreed to.

The Circulation of the Scriptures among the Jews.

The Clerk moved that the Synod should renew its donation of £20 to the Trinitarian Bible Society, London, for the circulation of the Scriptures among the Jews, and instruct the Treasurer to forward the same. The motion was unanimously agreed to.

(12) Canadian Mission Committee’s Report.

Rev. D. Beaton, Convener, submitted the following report of this Committee:—

“On 6th August, 1917, the Rev. William Matheson, probationer, according to instructions of the Synod, was ordained by the Northern Presbytery at Dingwall as an ordained missionary to the congregations embraced in the Canadian Mission of the Free Presbyterian Church. Mr. Matheson sailed for Canada in October, and, under the good hand of the Lord, reached his destination safely. He has, since his arrival, supplied Chesley, Wardsville, Detroit, Winnipeg, and Lochalsh. The following resolution in regard to Mr. Matheson’s salary was agreed to by the three Presbyteries:—’In view of Mr. Matheson’s proceeding to Canada as the Church’s deputy to the Free Presbyterian Mission there, it is resolved that it be an understood matter that his salary fall not below that of the ministers at home which at present is £140 (700 dols.), and that, in his supplying different stations, that his travelling expenses and lodgings be paid.’ This was sent to the various treasurers interested, with the following note by the Convener:—’The Presbyteries, in coming to this finding, do not in any way wish it to be understood that they consider our people in Canada to be lacking towards the deputies who had been sent from the home Church. Their liberality towards them has always been of the most generous kind. The above resolution is sent simply to avoid any possible misunderstanding for the future.’ I regret to have to report the removal by death of three outstanding friends of the cause in Ontario:—Mr. Archibald MacLeish, elder, West Williams; Mr. Donald T. MacKenzie, Lochalsh; and Mrs. MacLaggan, Chesley. Notices will probably appear later on in the Magazine; but I would wish to pay my personal tribute to these, whose removal will be a distinct loss to our Mission in Ontario.”

The report was unanimously adopted.

Rev. D. Beaton also submitted petitions from the Ontario Mission and the Chesley congregation, forwarded by the Rev. William Matheson, on the subject of united ministerial supply. The Ontario Mission Petition is as follows:—

“To the MODERATOR and other Members of the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

The humble petition of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Mission in Canada, comprising stations at Williams, Lochalsh, Kincardine, and Newton, all within the Province of Ontario, sheweth that the meeting of the representatives of the above stations, duly called and held at the home of Mr. Daniel Clarke, elder, Egmondville, on 1st Jan., 1918, did, by a minute of that date, unanimously resolve, ‘That, under present conditions, an arrangement whereby the Free Presbyterian Congregation at Chesley join with the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Mission in Canada, as represented at this meeting, for the purpose of securing ministerial supply, be welcomed, and that the Synod be petitioned to that effect, namely, on a minimum basis of supply per annum as follows:—Chesley, 21 Sabbaths; Williams, 8 Sabbaths; Lochalsh, 8 Sabbaths; Newton, 4 Sabbaths; and Kincardine, 5 Sabbaths, with 6 Sabbaths to come and go upon, and on the understanding that the minister’s headquarters be Chesley, and that the minister’s maintenance be assumed accordingly.’

Your petitioners, therefore, crave the Synod’s approval of the said desired arrangement, and the furtherance of the purpose aimed at by this arrangement.

On behalf of the above petitioners,

(Signed) WM. MATHESON, Chairman.“

The Chesley Petition, drawn up on 23rd January, 1918, is in exact accord with the foregoing in all details. On the motion of the Rev. E. Macqueen, seconded by Mr. John Stewart, elder, the Synod unanimously granted the petitions.

Rev. D. Beaton further intimated that a call to the Rev. William Matheson, ordained missionary, had been signed by the office-bearers, members and adherents, of the Chesley congregation and Ontario Mission, to take regular ministerial charge of them as a combined congregation. The call had been duly forwarded, and was now before the Synod.

The Synod decided to sustain the call, and instructed the Northern Presbytery, on whose roll the Rev. W. Matheson’s name was, to communicate with Mr. Matheson and ascertain his mind relative to the call, and thereafter make any necessary arrangements.

(13) Reply from the Free Church Commission to the Synod’s Statement of Differences.

The Clerk (Rev. J. S. Sinclair) reported that he had received from the Free Church Commission of November last, at the end of that month, a Reply to the Synod’s Statement of Differences, which had been forwarded in the previous May, along with a covering letter from the Rev. Prof. J. K. Cameron, M.A., Clerk of Commission and Assembly. He read the covering letter and Reply, which were published in the May issue of the Magazine, and need not meantime be repeated.

After this was done, the Rev. John R. Mackay, Inverness, rose and submitted a motion bearing upon the Reply, in which he moved in favour of appointing a Committee to confer with the Free Church Committee on the subject of union. He supported his motion by a speech, a summary of which is given elsewhere in this issue. The motion was seconded by the Rev. Alexander Macrae, Portree, who also read a speech of considerable length. (See p. 83.) Thereafter, the Rev. Neil Cameron, Glasgow, submitted another motion which bore, among other things, that, in view of the evasive and compromising nature of the Free Church Reply, the Synod resolve that “the correspondence now take end.” The motion was seconded by the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall. (For summaries of speeches see page 88.) Short speeches were delivered by the Revs. D. Beaton, E. Macqueen, and Alex. Mackay in favour of Mr. Cameron’s motion. Rev. A. Sutherland spoke in support of Mr. Mackay’s motion. Rev. D. Mackenzie, who expressed his agreement in the main with Mr. Cameron’s motion, said he would prefer that the conclusion of it was different, and that it would run to the effect that the F.P. Church refuse to consider any communication from the Free Church anent conference with a view to union, until the Free Church itself removes all the obstacles stated in the deliverance of our Synod of 1917. The Clerk (Rev. J. S. Sinclair), who supported Mr. Cameron’s motion, called the attention of the Revs. J. R. Mackay and A. Macrae to certain terms of their own motion at the previous Synod, namely, that the Synod conclude “that meanwhile it would be futile to appoint a Committee to meet with the Free Church Committee, until (1) the Free Church . . . calls upon Dr. Alexander to state in distinct and unequivocal terms that he both repudiates the book, and genuinely regrets the unscriptural sentiments expressed therein”; and then, until “(2) the Free Church expresses her willingness to homologate Deliverances passed by this Synod on such matters as the Bible and the Higher Criticism, Creed Subscription, Prayers at the Grave, Church Bazaars, and Church Soirees.” The Clerk then pointed out that these conditions had not been fulfilled by the Free Church in its procedure or Reply since last meeting of Synod, and that therefore the Revs. J. R. Mackay and A. Macrae were now acting inconsistently with their previous motion in advocating immediate conference, apart from the fulfilment of these conditions. Their own previous motion placed a block on the line of their present movement. Rev. J. R. Mackay said in answer that the Synod had not adopted their motion at last meeting, and that they were now so far satisfied with the Free Church Reply as to feel that there was sufficient ground to proceed to conference on the points of difference.

After discussion, the Moderator put the motion 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. The Moderator declared Mr. Cameron’s motion to be duly carried. Rev. D. Mackenzie did not vote for either motion. Revs. J. R. Mackay, A. Macrae, N. Matheson, and A. Sutherland recorded their dissent (without reasons) from the Synod’s finding. Mr. Neil Mackinnon, elder, asked the question whether the brethren who were for union intended to continue this agitation? Rev. J. R. Mackay said that, as the Synod had expressed itself so decidedly against his motion on two occasions, he did not intend to agitate the matter further, only that he reserved the right, such as any other member had, to reply in the event of his being attacked.

The court adjourned a little after midnight, to meet again (d.v.) in the morning at 10-30. The meeting was closed with praise and prayer.

FOURTH SEDERUNT.

The Synod resumed its sitting on Thursday the 23rd May, 1918, at 10-30 a.m., according to terms of adjournment. The sederunt was opened with devotional exercises conducted by the Moderator, the Rev. M. Morrison.

The roll was called, and the greater number of the members were present. The minutes of the previous sederunts were held over till next meeting of Synod (d.v.) At this point the Rev. J. R. Mackay rose and made the following statement:—”With regard to the answer I gave to Mr. Mackinnon last night, I crave liberty to explain exactly what I meant. The Synod has now by large majorities on two occasions indicated that, upon the whole, the mind of the Free Presbyterian Church is that, under present circumstances, a conference with the Free Church would serve no useful purpose. In these circumstances I think I have done my duty already, in the way of explaining what I think duty is, and I think it would serve no useful end to be pressing for a conference, nor do I intend to do so. Yet that does not mean that I am not as free as any member of the Synod to declare, if I think occasion calls for it, my own conviction in the matter, or to defend myself if I am attacked.”

(14) Report of the Theological Committee.

Rev. D. Beaton presented this report, which was adopted. “In the ordinary course of events the Theological Classes would have been held last winter at Wick, but owing to military claims it was decided that no classes be held last winter. The Committee, however, through the Convener, drew up a scheme of work for the divinity students not called up for military service, and on which they were to be examined next autumn, provided they were not called up before then. The books submitted for study were—(1) Sir William Smith’s ‘Old Testament History’; (2) Fisher’s ‘History of the Church’; (3) Fairbairn’s ‘Typology of Scripture.’ The Committee suggested that the successful passing of this examination was to be counted for a session. This scheme was submitted to the three Presbyteries, and approved of.”

(15) Deputation to Prime Minister re Recall of Envoy to Vatican.

The subject of the recall of the Envoy to the Vatican was discussed, and it was agreed, on the motion of the Rev. A. Macrae, seconded by the Rev. D. Graham, that a deputation, consisting of the Revs. Neil Cameron and J. R. Mackay and Mr. A. Gray, elder, be appointed to wait upon the Prime Minister, with a view to plead for the recall of the Envoy to the Vatican. Mr. Gray said that, though he was in entire harmony with the proposal, and would not grudge the effort to go to London, he did not see that three persons were necessary, and begged to be relieved. It was then agreed that Messrs. Cameron and Mackay form the deputation.

(16) Report of the Monthly Magazine and Record.

Rev. J. S. Sinclair, as Editor and Treasurer, submitted his annual report of the Free Presbyterian Magazine for year, May, 1917, to April, 1918:—”We are glad to state that the circulation of the Magazine is still slightly on the increase. At the beginning of the year we were issuing 4,050 copies; at the close we are issuing 4,100. Of this number we have been sending on an average, as formerly, 1,250 copies to our brave soldiers and sailors. The largest proportion goes to His Majesty’s fleet of battleships and mine-sweepers. We still continue to send 70 copies to the interned prisoners of the 1st Naval Brigade at Groningen in Holland, and we learn from correspondence that the copies are much appreciated. Mr. R. C. Brider, Gospel Book Mission to Army and Navy, Bristol, still receives 100 per month, for which he expresses with much goodwill constant thanks. Under the head of ‘General Free Distribution,’ we continue to send some 50 to 60 monthly to private individuals, and public libraries in Glasgow, Inverness, etc.

“As to the Fund for Free Distribution to Soldiers and Sailors, we closed the former year with a balance to credit of £15. During the past year, we have received donations to the extent of £112—a considerable sum, indeed, for which we heartily thank our subscribers—but we regret to say that owing to the increase of cost in paper and printing, this sum has not met the outlay, the Fund being £12 or so in debt. For General Free Distribution, we have received the sum of £4 odds. We feel very reluctant to make appeals when there are so many demands upon our subscribers, but we must state that a continuance of small donations is necessary, if we are to maintain the output to Army and Navy at the present standard. More, indeed, might be sent profitably to certain quarters, such as the mine-sweepers, and to Mr. Brider at Bristol.

“We conclude by tendering our best thanks to subscribers, and to those who have helped with the supply of literary contributions to our pages. We would welcome more assistance in the latter way from the ministers of the Church. It is our earnest desire that the Lord may bless the pages of the Magazine to the edification of His own people, and to the awakening and conversion of sinners who are as yet far from righteousness.”

Rev. J. R. Mackay moved a cordial vote of thanks to the Editor and Treasurer of the Magazine for his report and labours. The motion was seconded by the Rev. E. Macqueen and agreed to. The Editor and Treasurer thanked the Synod and the speakers for their kind expressions.

(17) Competent Business.

The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Hector Morrison, missionary, with regard to the transference of the congregations of Eddrachillis to the Northern Presbytery as more convenient for receiving supervision and supply. The Synod decided to take no steps, but to leave the question to the Western and Northern Presbyteries.

The subject of publishing a booklet containing obligatory Church Documents and Resolutions was discussed, and it was resolved to appoint a Committee, consisting of the Revs. Neil Cameron, A. Macrae, and J. S. Sinclair, to deal with this and report.

Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved that messages be sent by the Synod to soldiers and sailors, in connection with the Church, and also to bereaved friends, and a Committee consisting of Revs. Neil Cameron and J. S. Sinclair, was appointed to draw up such messages and to forward them in printed form. It was also unanimously agreed to send a message expressive of cordial sympathy and prayerful wishes for success to Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig in France.

The subjects of Sabbath Desecration and Social Evil were also considered, and it was left with the Religion and Morals Committee to take any desirable steps to check these evils. The bad influence of certain kinds of literature on the minds of the young at school and outside was condemned by several speakers. This was the conclusion of the business.

Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved, and Rev. J. R. Mackay seconded, that the Synod adjourn to meet again (God willing) in St. Jude’s Hall, Glasgow, at 6-30 p.m., on Tuesday after the third Sabbath of May, 1919. The meeting was closed with praise and prayer.