A Modern Art.
In the passing away of men who were prominent in their day in religious matters we have been impressed with the indiscriminate praise that has been meted out to those who, if not believers in the new views on the Bible, were active supporters of those who have done so much to shake confidence in the integrity of God’s Word. We were particularly struck with this in G. F. Barbour’s Life of Alexander Whyte, D.D. As a biography it is certainly a masterly piece of work, and gives a life-like portrait, we believe, of Dr Whyte. Of course, Dr Whyte is the author’s hero, and he finds it almost as difficult to see Dr Whyte’s faults and limitations as Nelson’s blind eye to see the signal. But while this is a defect in one sense, it is useful in another, as we get Dr Whyte at his best and also at his worst. Dr Whyte has been highly praised for his work in resurrecting an interest in the Puritans and for any praise he duly deserves for this we will not seek to deprive him. He has also been praised for the stress he laid upon sin in his preaching. In regard to the latter, however, there is a morbidity in the presentation of the subject which we feel is very different from the sound (hugies, healthy) way in which it is dealt with in the Bible.
Helping the Enemies of the Truth.
But it is more particularly as one that helped the enemies of the truth that we found ourselves in antagonism with Dr Whyte. Dr Robertson Smith, the man who by his learning opened the gates in Scotland to let in the infidel views of Wellhausen on the Word of God, had no more ardent supporter in the Free Church than Dr Whyte, and his biographer has given a very full account of Dr Whyte’s attitude in the matter and the speeches he made, and he adds:—”The manse of Free St George’s in Melville Street became a kind of committee-room for the Robertson Smith party; and many long and anxious consultations took place in Whyte’s study.” It is no defence of Dr Whyte to say that he did not adopt the new views. The man who stands by and sees a serious crime committed, giving all the encouragement he can, is accessory to the deed. We have no hesitation in saying, notwithstanding the tears that have been shed over Dr Robertson Smith’s treatment, that he was guilty of a heinous sin when he gave the weight of his learning to introduce the German professor’s views on the Bible into Scotland. Again, true Protestants cannot help feeling that the visit paid by Drs Whyte, Dods, and G. W. Thomson to Cardinal Newman in 1876 ought to be mentioned with shame, but from this biography it is evident that Dr Whyte was so blinded by the literary graces of the noted pervert’s literary style that he admired him with intense admiration, and the sycophantish references to Newman in the biography partake too much of maudlin sentimentalism to appeal to us. Dr Whyte was possessed of a powerful imagination, an estimable gift when controlled by a sound judgment, but no mad bull rushing into a furniture store is capable of making so much wreckage as a strong imagination is capable of, wandering recklessly and uncontrolled among sacred things, and Dr Whyte’s imagination at times took wild flights, as some of his lurid descriptive sketches of Bible characters clearly indicate.
Spiritual Colour Blindness.
The fascination that such antagonistic movements as Roman Catholicism and Puritanism, as exemplified in Cardinal Newman and Santa Teresa and in Goodwin, Bunyan, Rutherford, and Shepard, had over the mind of Dr Whyte, requires an explanation other than that given by his biographer. For his allegiance to some of the devotees of the Church of Rome was not a passing youthful whim, but had its root in something more deeply seated. Age, in this case, did not bring discretion, for we find it recorded in his biography that he twice attended the blasphemous Passion Play at Oberammergau, the first time in the company of Dr Sutherland Black, and the second time in the company of his wife and children. In a letter written on the night of the Sabbath on which he was present at the Play, he writes:—”At six, Dr Black and I attended Mass, along with 800 of our fellow-tourists and the devout people of the village. We breakfasted at seven, and were in our places in the great auditorium by eight. It was a glorious morning, and worthy of the glorious day.” Glorious day indeed! when sinful men for gain enacted before their deluded dupes the most solemn event of all time. The same inconsistency is seen in Dr Whyte’s support of the men who were the ring-leaders in introducing German unbelieving criticism into this country, while he himself professed to preach the old doctrines. Here, again, age did not bring wisdom, for we find him very keen to have Dr (now Principal Sir) George Adam Smith as his colleague, and when Dr Moffatt’s name (concerning whose views even Dr Dods had misgivings) was mentioned in connection with a certain theological Chair, Dr Whyte said:—”I put all my money on Moffatt.” To explain Dr Whyte’s conduct in these matters by saying, as his biographer does, that it is indicative of breadth of mind and catholicity of heart is an incorrect diagnosis of the glaring inconsistency. The real explanation seems to be that Dr Whyte, with all his great and attractive gifts, was spiritually colour blind in these matters. He could not discern the difference between the signals of danger and safety—the red and the green lights were all one to him.
A Foolish Speech.
At a recent meeting of Kirkcudbright United Free Church Presbytery, an interesting discussion took place on Sabbath desecration. Some of the members spoke out strong against the “Sunday” newspaper and motoring for pleasure on the Lord’s Day; reference also was made to the increase in gambling, and the vice was strongly condemned. All this was too much for the Rev. R. M’Glashan, Gatehouse, formerly Chairman of Stewartry Education Authority, who criticised his more faithful brethren. We quote his words to show how foolishly some ministers can speak at times. “He differed,” he said, “from the view point taken up on these subjects. Some of the speakers were living fifty years behind the times. They were not in sympathy with the spiritual mind of today, and he would not like it to go forth that he agreed with the condemnations. Gambling and betting was not a sin by itself. It was simply symptomatic. It was linked up with other evils. He protested against what had been said against the Sunday newspapers. He could see no harm in seeking to know what was going on in the world. There were some papers which seemed to do harm in the week-days, while some of the Sunday papers were of a very high class. He would not quarrel with people taking in Sunday newspapers. He would not condemn Sunday motoring, because that was the only day on which many families could unite. If the Presbytery took up the attitude that some of the speakers had advocated they would not be strengthening but rather impairing their position.”
Lenin.
The arch oppressor of the Russian people is no more. With hands red with human blood he has passed into the presence of that God with whom he waged an unequal war. The maniac brain that planned the system that brought millions of helpless beings under a tyranny as cruel and despotic as any the world has ever seen was itself wrecked at last. The world may well draw a sigh of relief that a death so often announced has actually happened at last. The Almighty is too strong for the puny worms of the dust, intoxicated though they be with a sense of their own power. The “Spectator” says of him:—”Lenin was almost quite inhuman. . . . Human life was accounted as nothing by this maniac of theories. He caused the execution of hundreds of thousands of men and women.” It is somewhat ominous to learn from the “Daily Herald,” the recognised organ of Labourism, that Lenin was the best friend the working classes ever had. The agonies of the oppressed and the sufferings of those put to death may be well set over against such a misguided judgment, and yet we are told he was beloved by the working classes.
Established Church Minister Joins Church of Rome.
—The Rev. A. P. S. Tulloch, B.D., parish minister of Ecclesmachan, West Lothian, intimated on a recent Sabbath to his congregation that he intended joining the Church of Rome. He had been giving the matter serious study for many years, he said, and he had now come to the conclusion that he should sever his connection with the Church of Scotland. Mr Tulloch is a grandson of the late Principal Tulloch, St Andrews.
Church Notes.
Communions.
March — First Sabbath, Ullapool; second, Portree; fourth, Kinlochbervie; fifth, North Tolsta. April—First Sabbath, Stoer; second, Lochgilphead; 4th, St Jude’s, Glasgow (Jane Street, Blythswood Square), and Wick. May—First Sabbath. Kames and Oban. June—First Sabbath, Coigach; second, Shiel-daig; third, Dornoch, Glendale, and Lochcarron; fourth, Gairloch; fifth, Inverness.
Letter of Thanks from Mr Brider.
Mr Brider, in a letter of thanks for parcel of Magazines received, says:—”We thank you very warmly for parcel of Free Presbyterian Magazines. It is most helpful to us in the work, and much appreciated by the men. I much rejoice in its faithful testimony; the account of General Field is deeply interesting, and specially suitable for soldiers.”
Day of Humiliation and Prayer.
Congregations are reminded of the Day of Humiliation and Prayer, intimated in last issue, to be held on the 5th or 6th day of March (whichever day be most suitable to congregations), for the purpose stated in the February Magazine.
Obituary.
It is with sincere sorrow we record again the death of one of our elders—Mr Roderick Maclean, formerly of Laid, but latterly of Beauty. A fuller notice will, God willing, appear in a future issue.
Acknowledgment of Donations.
Notice to Congregational Treasurers.
The Books will be closed for the financial year on the 31st March.
Alexander Macgillivray, General Treasurer, Woodbine Cottage, Glen-Urquhart Road, Inverness, acknowledges, with grateful thanks, the following donations up to the 7th February.
SUSTENTATION FUND.
A. P., Kilwinning, £1; A., M., and Tina Livingston, Arrina, Shieldaig (5s 4d each), 16s; Miss Tina Macdonald, Saltoun Gardens, Glasgow, £1.
JEWISH AND FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Per Rev. N. Cameron—Friend, Glasgow, 5s; Friend, 10s; Nurse Fraser, Glasgow (Children’s Offerings for the Jews)—Edith J. Pichin, 5s; Jane A. Bradford, 20s; Margaret A. Ritchie, 5s; Myra S. Govan, 5s; per Nurse Fraser, Sheanlins, Kiltarlity—Robt. Wilson, 5s; Margaret Dougal, 5s; James G. Gray, 5s; Ian A. Maclaren, 5s; the late Mrs Maclaeod, Torbreck, Lochinver, £3; F. R., Shieldaig, 2s 6d; per Rev. N. Macintyre—T. Montgomery, Lochs, Lewis, 10s.
AGED AND INFIRM MINISTERS’ FUND.
Per Rev. D. Beaton—Mrs Young, Brown Place, Wick, 10s.
COLLEGE FUND.
Per Rev. D. Beaton—Mrs Young, Wick, 10s.
The following lists have been sent for publication:—
NORTH UIST MANSE REPAIRS FUND.
The Rev. John MacLachlan begs to acknowledge, with sincere thanks, the following donations:—Per Mr Donald Maclaeod, 40 Harlaw Street, Glasgow—Margaret Matheson, Fonthill House, England, £1 10s; D. MacLachlan, Queensburgh Gardens, do., D. G. Mackenzie, D. Maclaeod, £1 each; J. Macdonald, Rutherglen, 15s; Mrs Crawford, Duncan Young, Airlie Gardens; Aby Maclaeod, Mount Florida; Thomas Macrae; A. L. Deuchars, Mrs Macswan, Midton Street; J. Colquhon, Mrs Macdonald, Shawlands, 10s each; Neil Macswan, Jessie Mackenzie, 7s 6d each; James Macgillivray, 6s; Capt. Nisbet, Mrs Beaton, Ewen Macaskill, Friends, Lawrence Street; Miss Sinclair, Miss Macallister, Blantyre Street; Mrs MacInnes, Elderslie Street; A. Maccoll, Douglas Street; Mrs Robertson, Mary Macdonald, 17 Overnewton Square; Lexy Stewart, Bella and Flora Maclaeod, Park Circus; John Macaskill, Grove Street; John Cumming, Andrew Leslie, Mr Maclaren, Effie Maclellan, Carlton; Archie Maclellan, Edinburgh; Norman Maclellan, Mrs Macaskill, St George’s Road; George Maclaeod, Capt. Finlayson, 5s each; John Downie, Calder Street; K. Macaskill, St Vincent Street; Bella Macbeth, Lizzie Macbeth, Norman Mackay, Marion Macpherson, Woodland’s Terrace; Hugh Henderson, Hector Maclae, Mrs Mackinnon, 27 Sussex Street, 4s; Annie Maclae, Park Terrace; Peggy Maccuish, Claremont Gardens, 4s 6d each; Jessie Macdonald, Windsor Terrace, 3s 6d; Mrs Matheson, Monteith Row; D. Gillanders, Grove Street; A. Maclaren, S. Maclaren; D. Mackinnon, Overdale Gardens, 3s each; Alex. Macdonald, Capt. Macintyre; Murdo Mackenzie, New City Road; Morag Maccuish, Hill Street; John Macpherson, Mary Macpherson, Carfin Street; James Skinner, Jane Maclaeod, Queen Margaret Hall; Isabella Mackay, Jessie Dryden, 1 Park Circus; Marion Macrae, Mrs Maclaeod, 47 Grove Street; Catherine Gillies, Annie Gillies, Inverallan; Christy Mackenzie, Athole Gardens; Maggie Mackenzie, Bath Street; Lizzie Matheson, Katie Macdonald, Woodland’s Crescent; Annie Maccuish, Woodside Place; Annie Gordon, D. Darroch, 115 Hozier Street; Alex. Grant, 83 West Moreland Street; Kate Gillies, Edmond Street; Mary Park, Mrs J. Campbell, 993 Sauchiehall Street; Mrs Forbes, 2s 6d each; Friend, Kelvin-side; A. Macdougall, Calder Street; Jessie Finlayson, Christina Finlayson, Woodside Terrace, 2s each; John Smith, St Vincent Street; Mary, Morag, and Katie Macleod, Queen Margaret’s Hall, 1s each; Nurse Fraser, 126 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, 10s. By Collecting Cards—Mr Fletcher, Ardrihaig, £4 5s; Miss Maccallum, Kames, £5 5s; Miss Ross, Fearn, £3 5s; Mrs Mackenzie, Westendpark Street, Glasgow, £4; Mr Mackenzie, F.P. Manse, Ullapool, £2 18s 6d; Mr Leitch, Fearn, £3 6s; Mr Maclean, Inverness, £1 10s; Mr Weir, Tarbert, Lochtyne, £2.
FINSBAY CHURCH BUILDING FUND.
Mr S. Mackenzie, treasurer, acknowledges, with sincere thanks, the following:—Per Mr and Mrs Matheson, Strond, Harris, £9 (Collecting Card); per Mr Alex. Morrison, Lingerbay, £17 4s 6d (Collecting Card); per Mr Martin, Northton—Alexander Morrison, Tarbert, 10s; Kenneth Macdonald, Finsbay, 10s.
EDINBURGH SUSTENTATION FUND.
Mr William Day acknowledges, with sincere thanks, the following:—Per Rev. N. Macintyre—Miss Macaulay, Dunfermline, 20s.
EDINBURGH CHURCH PURCHASE FUND.
Per Rev. N. Cameron—Friend, Glasgow, 10s; per Rev. N. Macintyre—Miss Montgomery, Lochs, 10s; Friend, Glasgow, 3s.
CLYDEBANK BUILDING FUND.
James Nicolson, 58 Second Avenue, Clydebank, acknowledges, with sincere thanks, the following donations:—Per Rev. Malcolm Gillies—Friend, Halkirk, 60s; Mrs Mackay, 12 George Crescent, Clydebank, 20s. The new Church is now open—134 Dumbarton Road.
The Magazine.
Back Numbers of Magazine Wanted.
The Editor would be indebted to any reader who can oblige him by sending the following back numbers of the Magazine:—For 1898—May and October numbers; for 1921—May, June, July, August numbers; for 1922—December number; and for 1923—November, December, January, February numbers. Published price will be paid for these.
SUBSCRIPTIONS RECEIVED FOR MAGAZINE.
St Jude’s Collectors for December (280 copies), £4 0s 3d; Miss M. Macleman, 1 Tomich, Muir of Ord, 2s 6d; A. Leitch, Tain (qr.), 11s 3d; N. Macneill, Buccleuch Street, Glasgow, 4s; D. S. Campbell, Pitfure, Rogart, 8s; Mrs Bannatyne, Temperance Hotel, Blackwaterfoot, Arran, 4s; Miss C. Turner, Dumbarton (qr.), 11s 5d; Mrs Mackenzie, Clashmore, Lochinver, 10s; F. Sutherland, Scotscalder, 4s; Miss M. A. Anderson, Broadford, 2s 3d; W. Macqueen, 4 Bank Street, Portree, 5s; J. Macdonald, Little Rogart, 10s; Miss E. Mackay, Halkirk (qr.), £1 4s; Mrs Mackenzie, 55 Shore Street, Inverness, 4s 6d; J. Grant, Duncraig Street, Inverness, 4s 6d; Mrs Maciver, Carnan House, Shawboist, 3s 6d; A. Fraser, 2185 14th Avenue, West Vancouver, B.C., 6s; N. Cook, Whitefarland, Pirn Mill, Arran, 4s; Mrs W. Macleod, Droman, Kinlochbervie, 4s 6d; G. Remne, 12 Wilton Crescent, London, S.W. 1, 9s; K. Macleod, The Gardens, Clachan, Raasay, 10s; J. Macswean, Connel Ferry, 5s; J. A. Matheson, 906 14th West, Ontario, 9s; N. Morrison, Kyles House, Leverburgh, 5s; Miss R. Mackenzie, Oldtown, Achanalt, 7s 6d; Mrs Mackintosh, Old Lodge, Lochrosque, Achnasheen, 6s; H. Mackenzie; Linnie, Rannoch, Ullapool, 10s; Mrs Morrison, 4 Ardbrock, Port of Ness, 2s 4d; Mrs Maccallum, Thundergay, Pirn Mill, Arran, 4s; Mrs A. Mackenzie, Stoer, 5s; D. Davidson, Tomatin (qr.), £1 3s 11d; Mrs Macleod, Alness (monthly), 3s; Mrs Christina Livingston, Arrina, Shieldaig, 12s; J. Macleod, Lairg (six months), £1 10s; Miss J. Yeudall, Inverness (qr.), 13s 3d; Mrs J. Hendry, Caticol, Lochranza, 4s; St Jude’s Collectors for January (265 copies), £3 16s 8d.
(A Number of Subscriptions Held Over).