A Step in the Right Direction.—Matters have not been going well with the Post Office in recent years. In pre-War days it was held up to the nation’s view as a model of administrative ability and efficiency in a Government Department, and the public benefited by its high efficiency. Now things are very different, and the Postmaster-General is faced with heavy deficits. Postages on letters and parcels have been heavily increased, and there is much talk of cutting down expenses. Our chief interest in the Postmaster-General’s difficulties, meantime, is to note his first move in economic administration by abolishing the Sabbath mail, and we hope that his decision will remain effective even when the present financial difficulties of the Post Office are overcome.
A Timely Protest.—Most of our readers would have noticed on the back of the official paper, issued with the Census forms, an advertisement of a new “Sunday” Pictorial Paper. We are pleased to notice that a protest has been raised against this glaring disregard of the Lord’s Day in official quarters. Mr. Clement Wileman has issued a small leaflet on the subject, in which he says:—”But what does concern us is the fact that the semi-official sanction thus given to what we believe to be one of the greatest curses of the country, is sure to incur Divine displeasure. The ‘Sunday’ newspaper is one of the most demoralising influences at work to-day, and is a potent factor in the awful desecration of the Lord’s Day. We know that ‘the children of this age are in their generation wiser than the children of light’ (Luke xvi. 8) but we should like to ask, Suppose a Christian society had been astute enough to apply for the space upon the back of the Census notice in order to make such an announcement as ‘Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy,’ or ‘Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people,’ would the advertisement have been accepted? We think not; on the contrary, it would have been declined as irrelevant and unsuitable.”
The Busy Enemy: A Note of Warning.—The disciples of “Pastor” Russell are very active just now, and their earnestness in propagating the evil doctrines of that self-styled prophet should stir up the Lord’s people to greater energy in making known the Gospel of the Grace of God. “Pastor” Russell, as is well-known, bore a reputation which was by no means above reproach, details of which we need not repeat here, it being sufficient to remark that his deluded followers do not appear to display a great readiness to disclose their identity, although they will endeavour to defend their leader when they perceive that their connection with him is recognised. Previously known as “Millennial Dawn” (Millennial Nightmare would be a good name!) the propaganda is paraded under many aliases, such as “International Bible Students’ Association,” “Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society,”
but “Pastor” Russell’s name is conspicuously absent from the literature that is so persistently circulated. In a booklet published a short time back, “How Pastor Russell Died,” the writer tells how this man’s religion failed him in his last hour of need, and how he passed into an awful eternity without a ray of hope. How could it be otherwise with one who blasphemed the Name and Person of our Lord Jesus Christ? Beware of wolves who come in sheep’s clothing! One of these ardent people called upon us recently, and, recognising the literature, we replied to her question as to our belief. “We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that ‘Pastor’ Russell was the servant of the Devil.”—Gospel Echo.
Present State of Affairs in Palestine.—Mr. Churchill in his recent speech in the House of Commons made interesting references to Palestine. In Palestine, he said, the problem was more acute than in Mesopotamia. He saw more danger of trouble in Palestine this year than in Mesopotamia. The only cause of unrest in Palestine arose from the Zionist movement and the British promises in regard to it. But for that fact the existing British garrison might be considerably reduced. The difficulty about the position of the national home for the Jews in Palestine was that it conflicted with Great Britain’s regular policy of consulting the wishes of the people in the territories under her mandate and of giving them representative institutions as soon as they were fitted for them. There were in Palestine 500,000 Moslems, 65,000 Christians and about 65,000 Jews. They had been brought into Palestine under the Zionist scheme of immigration, and the propaganda by which it had been accomplished had greatly alarmed and excited the Arab population. It was not so much the number of immigrants, but the continued ardent declarations of the Zionist organisation throughout the world of its hope and ambition of making Palestine a prominent Jewish country, peopled by Jews from all over the world, that alarmed the Arabs, who also feared that these Jews would come principally from Central Europe and particularly from Russia. The Arabs believed that in the next few years they were going to be swamped by scores of thousands of immigrants from Central Europe, who would rush them off their land and ultimately gain absolute control of its institutions and its destiny. Mr. Churchill said the Jewish immigration was being very carefully watched and controlled.
Church Notes.
Communions.—Breasclete and Stratherrick, first Sabbath of September.
Notice of Call.—The Southern Presbytery met at Kames on the 13th day of July to moderate in a call to the Rev. Duncan MacKenzie, Gairloch. The call was quite unanimous, and there is a good prospect that Mr. MacKenzie will accept it.
Return of Church’s Deputy from Western Canada.—Rev. Malcolm Gillies, the Church’s Deputy to Western Canada, who has been absent for about a year, intended sailing on the 3rd August, and reaching Glasgow on the 15th of this month. We wish him a safe voyage across the Atlantic.
It is expected that Mr. Gillies will be inducted at Halkirk, Caithness, on the 24th August (D.V.).
Students Preparing for the Foreign and the Jewish Missions’ Field.—Our readers will be pleased to learn that Mr. John Tallach, student, has agreed to go as a missionary to Bembesi, Matabeleland, and that his future studies will be carried on with a view to the necessary preparations for his future work there.
Mr. Donald Urquhart was received by the Southern Presbytery, on the 14th day of July, with a view to his being educated for missionary work among the Jews. He will (D.V.) begin all necessary studies to qualify him for that work as early as possible. “Passer by” will be pleased to learn that the £400 sent by him for this purpose will now be used, seeing the Lord has provided the young man.
The prayers of our people on behalf of these young men as regards their studies and future work are humbly asked for. May the Lord uphold, guide, and anoint them for their onerous duties.
Kafir Psalms.—Friends will be pleased to learn that the long-looked-for Kafir Psalms in metre are now going through the press, and will be shortly published. The whole sum contributed hitherto for this good work has been £167 5s. 2d. Of this amount, £89 10s. 6d. has gone to pay for putting the Psalms into metre, leaving a balance on hand of £77 14s. 8d. The cost of printing, publishing, and squaring up all accounts will require about £150 more than the sum on hand.
The Foreign Missions Committee desire to appeal to friends for their help to make up the above deficiency, so as to have the Psalms in Kafir published free of debt.
Contributions should be sent to Mr. Alex. MacGillivray, Woodbine Cottage, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, who will thankfully acknowledge the same.
Supply of Winnipeg.—The Kirk-Session of Winnipeg have accepted Mr. Donald Macleod, elder, as a student studying for the ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, subject to the decision of one of the Presbyteries of the Church later on, according to instructions sent from last meeting of Synod. At a congregational meeting, held on the 13th June, the Kirk-Session’s decision was made known, and the following resolution unanimously passed:—”This Congregational Meeting of the Winnipeg Free Presbyterian Congregation, having heard Mr. Gillies explain his position in regard to his call to Halkirk and Helmsdale, and the message of the Synod regarding Mr. Donald Macleod, elder, also,
the action of the Kirk-Session in accepting him as a student, resolve that the congregation fall in with the Synod’s recommendation. And that they, as a congregation, invite Mr. Macleod to supply the Winnipeg pulpit while he is studying at the University, and promise him all necessary support, this being always understood that the congregation is free to call a minister at any convenient season.”