Rome Britain’s Enemy.
Rome’s world policy in recent years is so manifestly anti-British, that even such charitably-minded, high-class journals as the Spectator, etc., have had to speak out. We cull the following from a recent issue of the Spectator:—
“Nothing came as a greater surprise to the ordinary British Protestant than to find the Roman Catholic Church ranged in the Great War on the side of his enemies. He was loath to believe the patent facts. But when Roman Catholic Ireland revolted, when Roman Catholic Quebec alone of the Canadian provinces opposed Conscription, when the Roman Catholic Archbishop in Australia led the successful fight against Conscription, and also supported Sinn Fein, when the Pope joined in the German ‘peace offensive’ of the summer of 1917, and his subordinates used his Note to produce sedition and mutiny among the Italian troops at Caporetto, and when the Pope had not a word to say against German violations of the ordinary law of humanity, even the most tolerant of Protestants could not help putting two and two together and concluding that the Vatican must be the centre of an anti-British and anti-democratic movement. It could not be a mere accident that the Papal Master of the Robes, Monsignor Gerlach, was discovered to be the head of a series of foul plots which led, among other things, to the destruction of two Italian battleships. Nor was it by chance that, when General Allenby captured Jerusalem, the Tablet’s Rome correspondent had to write: ‘Jerusalem liberated, and not a bell rang in Rome.’ No. The Vatican favoured our enemies and regretted our victory.”
The Scotland Temperance Act.
As it is now generally known, this Act, passed in 1913, comes into operation this year. Our Synod has unanimously recommended our people to vote for prohibition. There are three options given to the voter: (1) the number of licences to remain as at present; (2) the number to be reduced; or (3) no licence at all. If one-tenth of the voters of a district present a requisition to the authorities for a poll, then arrangements must be made to take it. In order that this vote may be of any use, it is necessary that 35 per cent. of the voters of an area should vote, and, of those voting, that 55 per cent. vote for “no licence,” otherwise it will not be carried.
“Free Catholics” in England.
These are not Roman Catholics, or High Church Ritualists, but Nonconformists who have actually formed a society for what they call “the Catholicization” of Nonconformity. One of their leaders is a Dr. Orchard, a Congregational minister in London, to whom we think reference has already been made in this Magazine. He and his associates urge a return to the Mass and other superstitious rites of the Church of Rome. At a recent Conference, they had a daily celebration of the Mass. This development clearly shows that the unrenewed heart of Nonconformity has a bias towards Popery as well as that of the Ritualistic party in the Church of England. The Bulwark believes that this movement “will die under the weight of the laughter and contempt it is provoking.” We believe nothing of the kind; such is a very superficial view of the matter and of the times in which we live. Something more powerful than human laughter is needed to subdue “old Adam,” namely, the power of God, which in solemn judgment is not much exercised upon the evil hearts or ways of the present generation.
Church Notes.
Communions.
Stratherrick (Inverness), Ullapool (Ross), and Vatten (Skye), first Sabbath of September; Broadford (Skye), and Strathy (Sutherland), second; Applecross (Ross), Stoer (Sutherland), and Tarbert (Harris), third; Laide (Ross), and North Tolsta (Lewis), fourth. John Knox’s, Glasgow (Hall, 2 Carlton Place, South-side), and Ness (Lewis), first Sabbath of October; Gairloch (Ross), second; Scourie (Sutherland), third; Lochinver (Sutherland), fourth; and Wick (Caithness), fifth.
Synod Protest against Matrimonial Causes Bill.
The Committee appointed by the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland views with the deepest concern the prevailing tendency of modern times to treat lightly the binding nature of the marriage tie. This tendency has materialised in the effort to pass the Matrimonial Causes Bill through Parliament, and the Committee, realising the danger to the social life of the nation, would most seriously impress upon those who are responsible for this Bill the necessity of remembering that God’s Word is the supreme and infallible guide in questions of this nature. Its guidance on the matter is quite plain, and no legislation, however widely supported, can relieve the consciences of those who ignore its teaching. Many plausible but invalid arguments may be employed to put asunder those whom God hath joined together, but His Word plainly teaches that, except for (1) adultery (Matt. v. 32), and (2) wilful desertion (1 Cor. vii.), divorce is unscriptural and sinful.
Southern Presbytery.—Protest against Attendance at Mass by King and Queen.
The Southern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland beg most respectfully but earnestly to protest against the recent action of their Majesties, King George and Queen Mary, in attending Mass in connection with the funeral of the late Empress Eugenie. The Presbytery hold that such attendance is inconsistent with the Protestant profession and obligations of their Majesties, and that no personal or family connection with any Roman Catholic personage, however high in rank, nor consideration of courtesy and sympathy, can justify countenance given to one of the most superstitious and delusive ceremonies of the apostate Church of Rome. The Presbytery would most humbly remind their Majesties that they are under solemn obligation to be faithful witnesses for Protestant truth and worship, and that their example in the case stated is fitted to weaken the hands of those who desire to uphold the Protestant constitution of the realm, and ‘the faith once for all delivered unto the saints.'”
Appeal by North Uist Congregation.
The North Uist Congregation has had an honourable and praiseworthy record as a faithful, loving, and estimable unit of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland since its formation in 1893. It has borne itself through many years of conflicts and changes with admirable fortitude, kept the faith, and proved its loyalty, without a blot on its escutcheon. A substantial, commodious, and valuable church and manse have been built at Bayhead, and a new meeting-house at Hogary. The debt on these buildings will be paid, all going well, within two years.
This year it became imperative to pull down the old thatched meeting-house at Claddach Kirkibost, and to endeavour to raise on its time-honoured site a larger and more modern one. Work on it is proceeding. It will cost about £200. As it must be occupied by the beginning of winter, an earnest appeal for help is hereby made to all kind friends and sympathisers everywhere.
Subscriptions will be gladly received and acknowledged by John Macdonald, Esq., Dusary, Locheport, North Uist.
(Signed) D. N. MACLEOD, Moderator.
( ” ) NEIL MACINTYRE, Clerk.
Winnipeg Church Building.
A CORRECTION.—In the Canadian Mission Report it was stated that the church building of our congregation in Winnipeg had been burnt down. This was not the case, for though there had been a fire, there had not been any material damage done. The frame house on the lot, however, has been sold, and removed by the purchaser, and it is the intention of the congregation to build on this site. The name and address of the Treasurer, as given in last Magazine, is: Mr. Wm. Sinclair, 77 Walnut Street, Winnipeg, who will be pleased to receive and acknowledge any contributions to the Building Fund.
Deputy to Canada.
It is now arranged that Mr. Malcolm Gillies, the Synod Deputy, will (D.V.) leave for Canada by the S.S. “Empress of France,” on the 22nd September. Steps are proceeding with a view to the license and ordination of Mr. Gillies.