AS our space in last issue was taken up by the report of the Synod proceedings, we were not able to direct attention, as we had intended, to some matters which came up before the supreme courts of the larger Presbyterian Churches, but though somewhat belated, some of these matters are worthy the attention of all who are interested in the present drift of religious and ecclesiastical opinion in Scotland. The Assemblies of the three Churches—Established, United Free, and Free met at Edinburgh on 22nd May.
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
The Rev. Professor Milligan, D.D., Glasgow, was Moderator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly. The Assembly was opened with the usual spectacular proceedings connected with the Lord High Commissioner, Lord Elphinstone, the King’s representative.
On Wednesday, among other matters which came up, was a petition from Mr Alan Barnes Graham, of Limekilns, praying the Assembly to give such ruling as would remove the feeling of anxiety and safeguard the future in connection with certain alleged observations of the Pope on the occasion of the visit of the King and Queen to Rome. As the petition had not been received within the time required by the Standing Orders, it was moved that it be not received, but an amendment was carried to the contrary. Other matters discussed at Wednesday’s sitting were Gambling and the proposed Tax on Betting, and speeches were made in which reference was made to the ruinous nature of the gambling habit that was taking such a hold of the Scottish people. The proposed tax on betting was condemned with no uncertain sound.
On Friday (25th May) the Haldane Committee report was discussed. The Committee’s report, with a few reservations, was almost unanimously agreed to by the Assembly. Lord Haldane’s Committee had recommended that the endowments of the National Church should be continued to the Church. The tiends are to be capitalised, and the funds are to be handed over to the National Church for religious purposes.
An interesting discussion took place on Tuesday (29th May) on Irish immigration, to which reference is made in another paper in this issue. The Assembly passed a resolution asking the Government to make inquiry into the subject.
At the evening session of the same day, the Duchess of Atholl, a member of the Perthshire Education Authority, gave an interesting address on Bible teaching in the day schools, emphasising its importance. She advocated closer sympathy between the churches and the schools in this vital matter.
Dr Milligan’s closing address dealt with the “Church and the New Testament.” Dr Milligan’s pre-eminent position as a scholar naturally makes one read his address for any new light he may be able to throw on this important subject. We regret, that while he is not willing to go the length of the revolutionary critics, still he gives too much place to modern speculative criticism.