Communions.—
Kames (Kyles of Bute) and Oban, first Sabbath of May; Dumbarton (Hall, 3 Wallace Street), second; Edinburgh (Hall, Riego Street, near Tollcross), third; Greenock (Masonic Hall, West Stewart Street), fourth. The Communion at Glendale, Skye, which used to be held on the third Sabbath of May, is put off till the 3rd Sabbath of June. Coigach (Ross), first Sabbath of June; Shieldaig (Ross), second; Dornoch (Sutherland), Glendale (Skye), and Lochcarron (Ross), third; Gairloch (Ross), fourth; Inverness and Raasay, fifth. Beauly and Lairg, first Sabbath of July; Tomatin (Inverness), second; Daviot (Inverness), Halkirk (Caithness), and Rogart (Sutherland), third; Plockton (Ross), fourth.
Meeting of Synod.—
The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland will (God willing) meet in the Hall of St. Jude’s Church, Jane Street, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, on Tuesday the 20th May, at 7 p.m., when the Rev. Murdo Morrison, Lochinver, Moderator, is expected to preach and conduct the opening service.
Induction of Rev. E. Macqueen at Inverness.—
The Northern Presbytery met at Inverness, on Wednesday afternoon, the 2nd April, the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall, Moderator. The Rev. D. Beaton, Wick, preached, and, thereafter, proceeded to the induction of the Rev. Ewen Macqueen, formerly of Kames, as minister of the Inverness Congregation. Mr. Macqueen answered the Questions and signed the Formula in the usual way, and received the right hand of fellowship from the brethren present. Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall, addressed minister and congregation as to their respective duties and obligations. There was a large attendance. Quite a number of the townspeople were present, while many friends came from the surrounding districts.
Western Presbytery.—
On Wednesday the 16th April, the Western Presbytery, met at Portree, Skye, licensed Mr. James Macleod, divinity student, Glendale, as a preacher of the Gospel. We learn also that the same Presbytery, the day previous, moderated in a call to the Rev. D. M. Macdonald, North Uist, to be minister of the Portree congregation, vacated by the Rev. A. Macrae, who joined the Free Church. The call is unanimous. Readers must not conclude that when a call is “moderated in,” it is accepted. The acceptance or rejection of a call is something that is announced at a later meeting of Presbytery.
The Southern Presbytery met at Glasgow on 4th April, 1919, when Mr. Malcolm Campbell, divinity student, North Uist, was examined by them, and received into the Hall.
Students Received.—
Mr. Roderick Mackenzie, of Stornoway, studying arts at Glasgow University, was recently received by the Southern Presbytery as a student with a view to the ministry. Mr. John Tallach was also accepted as a student by the Northern Presbytery at its last meeting.
Thanksgiving in view of Peace Proclamation.—
It has been agreed by the Presbyteries of our Church that in the event of the proclamation of Peace before the Synod meets, and of a National Day of Thanksgiving other than a Sabbath being appointed, our Congregations should observe that day, but that if things be otherwise, the Wednesday or Thursday following the first Sabbath after the proclamation be held as a Thanksgiving Day.
Notice to Treasurers in the Northern Presbytery.—
Treasurers of congregations of the Northern Presbytery are requested to send on to the Clerk of the Presbytery (Rev. D. Beaton, F.P. Manse, Wick) copies of the abstracts of the Financial Statements of their respective congregations.
Building Fund of Edinburgh Congregation.—
The following Appeal for this Fund has been recently issued, and we commend it to the consideration of readers who may be interested in Edinburgh and disposed to help:—”This Congregation has been meeting for a considerable time in halls that have not been in every respect suitable. It was recently decided at a Congregational Meeting that steps should be taken to start a Building Fund with a view either to purchase or erect a suitable and convenient place of worship. The members and adherents of the Congregation are willing to do their utmost for the Fund, but they feel that the assistance of other friends of the cause is necessary in order that a sufficient sum may be raised, and that the desired object may be accomplished as soon as possible. They consider that there is ample room in the city of Edinburgh for a Free Presbyterian Church, in connection with which the doctrines and principles of 1843 will be maintained, a sound, evangelical gospel preached, and New Testament purity of worship observed. (Signed) JAMES S. SINCLAIR, Interim Moderator.
Donations will be gratefully received and acknowledged by D. A. Stewart, 85 Polwarth Gardens, Edinburgh, Treasurer of the Building Fund Committee.
The Southern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church, met at Glasgow on 4th April, 1919, cordially endorse this Appeal.
(Signed) ALEXANDER MACKAY, Moderator (pro tem.)
Deputy to Western Canada.—
The Canadian Mission Committee, acting on the request of a largely-signed petition from Vancouver, praying that the signatories would be received as part of the Canadian Mission, decided to ask the Rev. James MacLeod to undertake the mission for this season in Vancouver and in Western Canada. Mr. MacLeod has consented to go, but, owing to the great pressure on shipping accommodation, the Committee cannot say yet definitely when he will sail. But, whenever definite information comes, our friends in Western Canada will receive word. Meantime, should any of them wish to communicate with Mr. MacLeod, a letter addressed either to Mr. William Sinclair, 400 Victor Street, Winnipeg, or Mr. Hugh Mackay, 264, 39th Avenue East, Vancouver, will find him.
Deliverance on Educational Matters by Southern Presbytery.—
“The Southern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland desire to bring before the Education Authority of Glasgow the following important matters pertaining to education for the Board’s serious consideration: (1) That the presence of Rationalistic teaching in the schools in regard to the Bible will be a dangerous menace to the moral and spiritual welfare of the children; and that one outstanding instance of this kind of teaching during the period of the last Board came under the notice of the Presbytery. The Presbytery, believing that it is of prime importance that care should be taken to preserve in the minds of the young implicit faith in the Bible as the infallible Word of God, would respectfully urge upon the members of the Board to arrange with the teachers that the Bible shall be read and taught without any comment by the teacher.
“(2) That it is a matter of common knowledge that the books on the history of our country, often used in giving historical instruction to the young, are defective or misleading in regard to the narratives supplied of those who stood for the cause of Protestantism. The Presbytery, believing that the cause of Protestant truth has been the cause of civil and religious liberty in this and other countries, hold that Protestant children are entitled to have the truth fairly, fully, and honourably told in the historical books employed for their instruction, and that books containing misrepresentations and slanders upon noble witnesses for God’s truth should be excluded.
“(3) That works of fiction and novels are used in extreme profusion to the moral detriment of the children. The Presbytery, while aware that there may be adverse opinion, would, nevertheless, strongly recommend that the use of novels and works of fiction be discontinued in all the classes under the Education Authority’s jurisdiction, and that there be placed instead in the hands of the young books, containing interesting and informative facts, culled from many extensive fields, which will amply verify the absolute soundness of the saying that truth is stranger than fiction.”
A Resolution on the Rededication Movement.—
The following resolution has been drawn up by a Committee of the Southern Presbytery:—”The Southern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, having seriously considered the movement in the Scottish Churches, called Rededication, desire to offer the following statement for consideration: The Church of Scotland was originally dedicated to God by repeated most solemn engagements, avowing Christ as the King of the Church and Nation, and the Bible as her only rule of faith and practice. The Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, with the Forms of Worship and Church Government thereto appended, set forth the doctrines and principles which she bound herself to adhere to in teaching and practice. She avowed her strong opposition to the Prelatic form of Church Government, especially to the superstitious and idolatrous doctrines and practices of the Papacy, and bound herself to refuse even unto death to have any compliance therewith. If the Churches of Scotland desire to rededicate themselves, the only honest course for them is to remove all the innovations by which they have disfigured themselves and to return to the early purity of the Church of Scotland.
“The Presbytery are sure that the divine blessing would rest on such rededication, coupled with personal and individual self-devotion to God and His Christ, and would beseech the Churches of Scotland to consider seriously and prayerfully the urgent need of returning to their first love.”