At the Free Presbyterian Church, Inverness, on Wednesday, the 20th day of May 1925, the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church met, according to terms of adjournment at 5 p.m. After devotional exercises, the Synod was constituted by the Moderator.
Sederunt — Western Presbytery.—Revs. D. N. Macleod, D. M. Macdonald, M. Morrison, James Macleod, Malcolm Gillies, John Maclachlan, Roderick Mackenzie, ministers; with Messrs John Macdonald, Donald Mackenzie, Finlay Macdonald, Duncan Matheson, elders.
Southern Presbytery.—Revs. Neil Cameron, N. Macintyre (Moderator), D. A. Macfarlane, ministers; with Messrs Donald Macrae and James Mackay, elders.
Northern Presbytery. — Revs. D. Macfarlane, Ewen Macqueen, D. Beaton (Clerk), ministers; with Messrs James Campbell, Kenneth Maciver, Malcolm Fraser, elders.
The Roll having been called, the Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved and the Rev. D. M. Macdonald seconded that the Rev. D. A. Macfarlane be asked to send his sermon to the Magazine for publication.
The Minutes of previous sederunt were then read and approved of.
The Clerk reported the order of business decided on by the Business Committee, and pointed out there was one or two slight changes under the heading of Presbytery business. It was decided that the Appeal against the decision of the Northern Presbytery be taken up at 5.30 p.m., and that parties be cited to appear at the bar of the Synod. In the other case it was decided that it be taken up in private at the conclusion of the Synod’s business.
The various items of business were then taken up as follows:—
1. REPORT OF COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY THE SYNOD.
The Clerk reported that the matter referred to the Synod’s Business Committee, as to date of meeting of Synod had been brought before the Committee, and they were unanimously of the opinion that the date should remain as it is.
2. THEOLOGICAL COMMITTEE’S REPORT.
The Rev. Ewen Macqueen gave in this report. He intimated there were five students studying theology at Wick last winter, while Messrs Macdonald, London, and Sinclair, Glasgow, had work prescribed to them by the Theological Committee in which they were examined by Mr Beaton. Mr Macleod, who has been supplying Winnipeg, had also been taking classes in the Manitoba University during last session as in former years. Two of the students, Mr William Grant and Mr D. Macdonald, were now finished with their theological classes.
The adoption of the Report was moved by the Rev. John Maclachlan and seconded by Mr Donald Mackenzie and unanimously adopted.
3. THEOLOGICAL TUTOR’S REPORT.
The Rev. D. Beaton, as theological tutor, reported that:—
“During last session there were five students studying at Wick. The subjects dealt with were those classed under Hebrew and Systematic Theology. In Hebrew the first thirty-five chapters of Genesis were read, lectures were delivered on the plan of the book, and its doctrine of Creation, the Fall, etc., while some of the leading higher critical positions were pointed out and combated. The students’ attention was also
directed to the exegesis of the more difficult passages in the portion read. In this class two text-books were used Dr W. H. Green’s “Introduction to the Old Testament, the Canon,” and “Introduction to the Old Testament, the Text.” These books are eminently useful for questions of introduction dealing as they do with the Canon and text of the Hebrew Scriptures, and bring before the student a mass of useful information.
In the Class of Systematic Theology Dr A. A. Hodge’s “Outlines of Theology” was used as a text-book, and the ground covered included the sections dealing with the Divine Attributes; the Trinity; the Decrees; Predestination; the Creation of the World; the Angels; Providence; Moral Constitution of the Soul, Will, Conscience, Liberty, etc.; Creation and Original State of Man; the Covenant of Works; the Nature of Sin and the Sin of Adam; Original Sin; Inability; Imputation of Adam’s First Sin to his Posterity; the Covenant of Grace; the Person of Christ; the Mediatorial Office of Christ; the Intercession of Christ; the Mediatorial Kingship of Christ; Effectual Calling; Regeneration; Faith; Union of Believers with Christ; Repentance, and the Romish Doctrine of Penance; and Justification. In addition to this, lectures were delivered on the Atonement—its nature, necessity, and extent—and a brief resume was also given of the various theories of the atonement such as the Mystical, Moral Influence and the Grotian or Governmental. The far reaching influence of the last mentioned theory was pointed out in its bearing upon the views of such modern writers as Dr Forsyth, Dods, and Denney.
During the session two of our students were laid aside from their work for a considerable time through illness—one of them Mr D. Urquhart, lost almost the latter half of the session, but is, I am now pleased to learn, almost completely recovered.
There were two written examinations held during the session and in addition to those set to the students attending the classes in Wick papers were sent to Messrs D. Macdonald and Robert Sinclair.
I take this opportunity of thanking the students for their valued help in lightening my ministerial burdens in supplying my pulpit during the session.”
4. APPEAL AGAINST DECISION OF NORTHERN PRESBYTERY.
The Synod then took up an Appeal against a decision of the Northern Presbytery, and after hearing parties the Appeal was dismissed.
5. FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Mr John Grant read an abstract of the financial statement for the year ending 31st March 1925. The total for Sustentation Fund was £4207 9s 5d. The grand total was £14,620 5s 10d, showing an increase on last year of £1044.
The Rev. N. Cameron moved the adoption of this report, and said we ought to acknowledge the hand of the Lord in providing for the upkeep of the means of grace, notwithstanding the unemployment so widespread in this country. The funds show an increase under almost all heads. Yet, while material blessings are to be acknowledged, they are small in comparison with spiritual blessings. Mr Cameron said he had pleasure in moving the adoption of the Report, and that the Treasurer and Auditors be thanked for their services. Further, that the statement be published in an early issue of the Magazine.
The Rev. D. Macfarlane seconded the adoption of the report in a vigorous and lively speech. As a Church we came out without a penny, he said, but the Lord had kept us for thirty-two years. Many prophesied that we would soon have nothing, but they were false prophets. The Lord had been very kind. When people are willing they give and give heartily. There was once a missionary who wished a collection. He laid down three rules in regard to the collection: (1) Everybody should give something; (2) they should give according to their means; and (3) they should give willingly. A wealthy man came forward and put a small coin in the collection. “Take that back,” the missionary said to him; “you have kept the first rule but broken the second.” The man then took a large sum and threw it in angrily. “Take that back,” said the missionary to him again; “you have kept the first and second rules but you have broken the third.” The man took the money back and replaced it with a smile to show that he gave it heartily. That was the right way to give. The Rev. Ewen Macqueen spoke in support of the report, and said surely we had reason to say: “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His gifts to me.” The glory belongs to the Lord for His support of us ever since we made a stand in 1893.
The Rev. N. Cameron moved that the £500 legacy left by Miss Macaskill be placed to the credit of the Sustentation Fund. This was seconded by Rev. E. Macqueen, and unanimously agreed to.
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6. THE FOREIGN MISSION REPORT.
The Rev. N. Cameron gave in this report, which appears in another part of this issue. The adoption of the report was moved by Rev. D. M. Macdonald, seconded by Mr D. Macrae, and unanimously agreed to.
The Rev. N. Cameron made a number of suggestions in regard to certain financial matters, and he left it with the Synod to come to decisions in the respective matters. Motions were made in connection with these as follows:—
(1) The Rev. James Macleod moved that the action of the Finance Committee be approved of in sending £50 to Mrs Radasi. This was seconded by Mr D. Macrae and unanimously agreed to.
(2) In regard to the suggestion that Mrs Radasi receive out of the Widows’ Fund the sum of £30 per annum, while she remains unmarried, and that £7 be given annually to each of her children under 16 years of age. The Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved that this suggestion be adopted. This was seconded by Mr Kenneth Maciver, and unanimously agreed to.
(3) It was moved by the Rev. D. N. Macleod and seconded by Mr John Macdonald that £12 be given to the teacher at Shangani and £26 to the missionary there. This was unanimously agreed to.
(4) It was also moved by the Rev. D. N. Macleod and seconded by Mr Malcolm Fraser that a sum of £69 for travelling expenses be granted to Miss Sinclair who sails for South Africa, with a view to being married to the Rev. John Tallach.
(5) It was also moved by the Rev. D. A. Macfarlane and seconded by Mr James Mackay that Mr Isidore Reuter, who was employed by St Jude’s congregation in doing work among the Jews, be granted £26 on his being received as a missionary by the Southern Presbytery. The motion was agreed to.
The Clerk moved at this stage that as there was much business yet to be gone through no new business be taken up after 9 o’clock. The motion was seconded and unanimously agreed to. He then moved that the Synod adjourn to meet God-willing to-morrow at 11 a.m. in the Church. This was seconded and unanimously agreed to. The meeting was closed with praise and prayer.