Communions. — October—First Sabbath, Tolsta; second, Ness and Gairloch; third, Scourie; fourth, Lochinver and Wick. November—First Sabbath, Oban; second, Glasgow; third, Edinburgh, Dornoch, and Helmsdale. January—Last Sabbath, Inverness.
Collection for Home Mission (Missionaries and Catechists) Fund.—The Synod appointed this collection to be taken up in the month of October, and gave instructions that it should be made by book from house to house, instead of at the church door. Owing to the number of missionaries and catechists employed by the church, there is a heavy drain on this fund, and it is to be hoped* that a liberal response will be given by our people.
Canadian Mission.—The Rev. M. Morrison preached in Saskatoon and in Calgary, and had encouraging meetings. The meetings at Vancouver were also very encouraging, and our people there are anxious to have a minister placed over them. Mr Morrison proposed remaining there until the end of September, and then returning to Winnipeg. Mr D. Matheson, missionary, Vancouver, came on to Calgary during Mr Morrison’s stay in Vancouver, and had good meetings. Mr Morrison expects to give another three Sabbaths to Winnipeg, and will then (D.V.) turn southwards towards Detroit, which he expects to reach about the beginning of November, and preach there on the first Sabbath of November. Those who have friends in Detroit who wish to attend these services can communicate with Mr R. S. Mackenzie, 474 East Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Mich.
Protest Against Roman Catholic Disabilities Bill.—At a meeting of the Northern Presbytery, held in Inverness (19th August), it was decided that a Protest should be made against the bill to be brought into the
House of Commons by Mr Blundell, to remove certain disabilities of Roman Catholics. The Clerk was instructed to send copies of the protest to the Prime Minister, the Secretary for Scotland, and Mr Blundell.
Dunoon Church Debt.—We desire to draw the attention of our people to the following facts with regard to the Dunoon Church debt:—When the church was bought, several years ago, a condition of the sale was that it could not be sold without giving the first offer to the Comrades of the War. This was done without the knowledge of the Presbytery. A leading man connected with the Comrades offered to buy the church. This offer came before the Southern Presbytery. It then appeared that the church might be used as a dancing hall or picture house. The Presbytery refused to sell it for such purposes, and they took the building and the debt of £450 upon themselves. In these circumstances we appeal to our congregations to respond as liberally as the Lord will enable them to the collection authorised by the Synod for clearing off this debt.
NEIL CAMERON.
Ordination of the Rev. John Tallach.—The Northern Presbytery, at a meeting held in Strathy Free Presbyterian Church on 12th September, ordained the Rev. John Tallach, probationer, as missionary to our South African Mission in Matabeleland. The Rev. D. Beaton preached from Titus i. 1-2—”Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth, which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” After divine worship, the Moderator pro tempore, Rev. Ewen Macqueen, put the questions usually put to probationers at ordination, and on satisfactory answers being given and the formula being signed, Mr Tallach was ordained as missionary to the South African Mission by solemn prayer and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. We are sure our people will continually remember Mr Tallach at a throne of grace with the prayer that the Lord will take him safely over sea and land to his distant destination, and abundantly bless his labours in Matabeleland. We, with all our hearts, pray that God’s blessing may abundantly rest on our first white missionary to the coloured people of Africa, not only in his person, but also on his labours. Mr Tallach sails (D.V.) on the 11th October from Liverpool on the “Nestor.” Our readers will be sorry to learn that Mr Radasi has not been so well of late, and we are sure that he, also, will not be forgotten by them at a throne of grace.