The Envoy at the Vatican.—The Government have announced, in answer to a question in the House of Commons, that they have decided to retain the Envoy at the Vatican. This decision is most regrettable. Why should our country continue to recognise the Pope as a temporal potentate? The recognition should never have been given. It was a most humiliating concession to his unwarrantable claims, and the business was done in spite of many protests. No real benefit has resulted, but the reverse. Ireland was never worse than it is to-day. Our rulers need their eyes opened to see the sin and futility of truckling to our greatest national enemy, indeed the grand agent of Satan against the weal of mankind.
Bloodshed in Ireland.—On Sabbath morning, the 21st November, twelve British officers were murdered in the most cruel and cold-blooded manner in Dublin by members of the Sinn Fein party. Several of them were dragged out of bed and shot in the presence of their wives. Two other soldiers also were killed. The affair is the most shocking that has yet taken place in connection with the Irish revolt, and it is hoped that it will be the means of arousing the Government to take very drastic measures to settle the Irish question. The policy of leniency has borne no good fruit, and nothing short of an order from the King to the Irish rebels to lay down arms at the risk of the extreme penalty for disobedience, and the order backed by a large army force, will, in our opinion, have any effect. May the King of kings interpose for deliverance!
Sequel to the Dublin Murders.—The Roman Catholic disregard for the Lord’s Day was abundantly exemplified on the occasion of the murders in Dublin. A great football match was arranged to take place that day, and it is believed that the Sinn Fein assassins came under the pretence of attending the match. After the atrocities took place, an officer, with some of the forces of the Crown, was sent to the football field, with a view to make a search for arms among the crowd, as it was believed a number of armed men were in it, but, before the Crown Forces reached the field, the pickets of the match opened fire on them. This fire was returned, and twelve of the crowd were killed, while sixty or more were injured. It is stated that some shots were fired by parties inside the ground, evidently in order to cause confusion, and allow the armed men to escape. What dreadful scenes on the Sabbath! And we cannot ascribe the present awful state of things to any other procuring cause than to Popery and our past national indulgence of it. God’s judgments are upon us.
Statement in Parliament.—The Chief Secretary for Ireland (Sir H. Greenwood) in the course of a statement on 22nd November, said: “We are fighting an organised band of paid assassins, whose plans, recently discovered, include the destruction of life and property in this country as well as in Ireland.”
CORRECTION.—In obituary sketch of late Mr. James Macmillan, in last issue, it was stated by mistake that he was buried in Glasgow, instead of in Kirkhill, near Inverness. N. C.
Church Notes.
Communions.—Inverness, fifth Sabbath of January. Dingwall, first Sabbath of February.
Canadian Mission.—Encouraging letters have been received from friends in Winnipeg and Vancouver. Mr. D. Matheson, missionary, who went from Winnipeg to Vancouver at beginning of September, says in a letter to Rev. Neil Macintyre, that the Vancouver congregation were arranging to buy a lot in one of the most central parts of the city—convenient for people in all parts—and that there was every likelihood they would get it at a reasonable price. They hoped to start building at the beginning of spring. Mr. Matheson also gives an encouraging report as to attendances. A similar account has come from Winnipeg. The people there have made substantial progress with their collections for acquiring property with a view to build, and they hope to be able to begin operations in the spring. Our readers are probably aware that the representatives of the Free Church have recently done their utmost to weaken the Free Presbyterian cause in these cities, but they have not succeeded in doing so.
Dunoon Church Purchase Fund.—The following Appeal has been issued:—A neat and substantial Church building has been secured by the Free Presbyterian adherents at Dunoon for the sum of about £500. The building is in a central situation, Alfred St., Victoria Road, and is capable of holding 300 people. The adherents of the cause are willing to do their best towards the payment of the above amount, but as they are few in number they require the assistance of friends outside, to help them in their effort. Dunoon is a largely-visited summer resort, and Free Presbyterians and others who go there at that season, and appreciate the sound preaching of the Gospel of salvation by grace through Jesus Christ, value the privilege of attending this place of worship. The building has been procured at a very reasonable price, and it is earnestly hoped that friends of the truth will come to the help of the people at Dunoon in this desirable undertaking.
Subscriptions will be received and gratefully acknowledged by the Treasurer, Mr. H. S. MacGillivray, Bay View Boarding House, West Bay, Dunoon, or by the Interim Moderator for the station, Rev. Jas. S. Sinclair, 248 Kenmure Street, Pollokshields, Glasgow.
(Signed)
NEIL CAMERON, Moderator.
( ” ) JAMES S. SINCLAIR, Clerk.
Notice to Treasurers re General Building Fund.—Treasurers of Congregations are requested to inform the General Treasurer, Mr. A. MacGillivray, Inverness, as to the amount of debt upon their respective Congregations on account of churches or manses. This should be done without delay.