THIRD SEDERUNT

On Thursday, the 21st day of May 1925, the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church met in the Free Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m., according to terms of adjournment. The Moderator opened the meeting with devotional exercises and constituted the Synod.

Sederunt—Western Presbytery.—Revs. D. N. Macleod, D. M. Macdonald, James Macleod, Malcolm Gillies, John MacLachlan, and Roderick Mackenzie, ministers; with Messrs John Macdonald, Donald Mackenzie, and Duncan Maitneson, elders.

Southern Presbytery.—Revs. Neil Cameron, Neil Macintyre (Moderator), D. A. Macfarlane, ministers; with Messrs Donald Macrae and James Mackay, elders.

Northern Presbytery.—Revs. D. Macfarlane, E. Macqueen, D. Beaton (Clerk), ministers; with Messrs James Campbell and Kenneth Maciver.

The roll having been called, the minutes of previous sederunt were read and approved of.

The Clerk said that he wished it to be clearly understood that what appeared in the Magazine was a report of the Synod’s proceedings and not the official record as that had to be approved by the Synod. Besides, sometimes in the exercise of the Magazine Committee’s or his own judgment, items were left out of the report which appeared in the minutes and also such matters as the reports of Standing Committees and brief summaries of speeches appeared in the Magazine, while they were not minuted in the Records.

The Synod then took up the following business:—

7. REPORT ON RELIGION AND MORALS.

The Rev. D. M. Macdonald gave in this report. The adoption of the report was moved by Rev. M. Gillies, who said we have been privileged to listen to a very clear statement as to the religious state of the nation. It was evident that we, as a nation, notwithstanding our great privileges, were degenerating. And as Mr Macdonald pointed out to us, this degeneracy began in the family. The motion was seconded by Mr John Macdonald.

The Rev. D. A. Macfarlane spoke in support of the motion. There were two things came before his mind, and one of these was how we ought to value the Shorter Catechism as a means of religious instruction in the home, and he appealed to all our people, young and old, to seek to have the great truths set forth in the Cate-

chism as their own personal experience. Another remark he would like to make is that those interested in Protestant papers should apply to the Hope Trust, Edinburgh, who sent out monthly parcels of the Bulwark, Catholic, etc., gratis and post free to those who were willing to distribute them.

The Rev. D. M. Macdonald then moved the following resolution, which was seconded by the Rev. N. Cameron:—

“The Synod would urge upon the Government the desirability of altering Clause 1, Section 18, of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, so as to bring it into line with Section 38 of the Act of 1872; of deleting Sub-Section 2, Clause 3 of Section 18, from the Act of 1918; of making the provision of Sub-Section 3, Clause 3 of Section 18, applicable to all schools maintained and managed as public schools by our Education Authorities; and of deleting Clause 8 of Section 18 from the Act of 1918, thus ending the building of new schools for denominational and sectarian purposes.”

Mr Macdonald also moved “that the Synod urge the Government to suppress trading on the Sabbath Day, and also amusements of all sorts. They would also urge them to prohibit the running of trains and steamers for pleasure on the Lord’s Day.”

The Clerk was instructed to send copies of these Resolutions to the Prime Minister and to the Secretary for Scotland.

The Clerk suggested that a strong protest be made by the Synod against the new programme of the L.M.S. Railway Company in running excursion trains and steamers on the Lord’s Day, and that a copy of the protest be sent to the General Manager, London, and Mr Donald Matheson, Deputy Manager for Scotland.

8. REPORT OF DEPUTY TO CANADA AND UNITED STATES.

In the absence of the Rev. M. Morrison, this Report was given in by the Rev. Malcolm Gillies.

The Rev. D. N. Macleod, in moving the adoption of the report, said it was a very interesting and cheering report, especially to those who had been in Canada and who were familiar with some of the people and places mentioned in the report. He had no doubt that owing to the number of young people going into Canada the Church would greatly increase, especially in the West. It always seemed a very peculiar thing to him that the

Free Church, which were continually announcing that they and we should be united because, as they said, there were no differences between us, should be so active in places where we had congregations in Canada in setting up meetings. He did not see the same effort made to get the people out of the larger Churches where they were not getting sound teaching. This method of acting and the profession of friendship made seemed a rather strange thing to him for the Free Church was bound to acknowledge that our Church had the truth. As a Church we were much indebted to our deputy for his labours in Canada, and it was his hope that the deputy’s labours would be as bread cast upon the waters. The adoption of the Report was seconded by Mr D. Mackenzie, and unanimously agreed to.

9. CANADIAN MISSION REPORT.

The Rev. D. Beaton gave in his Report, as follows:—

The Committee, as will be seen from the Rev. M. Morrison’s Report and as reported to the Synod last year, had arranged for Mr Morrison to visit the preaching stations in the States and Canada. In accordance with the arrangement made at last Synod, Mr John Murray, M.A., presently studying at Princeton, was asked by the Committee to supply Winnipeg. On his way northward Mr Murray was to give a few Sabbaths to Detroit. The problem of sending out deputies to Canada from the home Church is one of increasing difficulty, owing to the very heavy expenditure due to travelling expenses and payment of supply of pulpit during deputy’s absence. Owing to their home duties and the claims of their congregations it is also very difficult to get deputies to remain out long enough to proportionally lessen the expenditure. There is an earnest desire to have ministers placed over our congregations, both in Vancouver and Winnipeg, and nothing would give the Committee greater pleasure than to see this accomplished, and on any occasion when these congregations mentioned the names of particular probationers or ministers, with a view to giving them a call, they were approached by the Committee in the hope that they might respond. And if the Committee have not been successful this is not to be interpreted by our friends in Canada as though the Church at home had no interest in them. Our Canadian congregations, like our congregations at home, are quite open to approach any

minister or probationer with a view to giving him a call, and while this Committee would rejoice to learn that one or two responded to that call, they cannot compel any one to do so, however anxious they might be to see the call or calls accepted.

The Committee would seek to impress upon our ministers and people at home the importance of the field opening up in Canada. Into that vast land the Highlands of Scotland is pouring thousands of its young manhood and womanhood every year. Nurtured amidst influences and a religious outlook so vastly different from what they met in their adopted land, they long for religious services conducted along the lines with which they have been familiar in their youth, and shall not we as a Church make it our earnest prayer and endeavour that they will not appeal to us in vain? Those of us who have met our young people in their new homes know with what warmth they receive us and listen to the message delivered. As Convener, I now take leave of work that I had very much at heart. Owing to the pressure of other duties, to the increasing volume of work thrown on the Convener of this Committee as the years pass, and for other reasons I need not mention here, I feel it necessary to resign my convenership, and in handing over the work to another I will watch with deep interest the future development of our Church in the great Dominion, and hope soon to learn that ministers will be found for those places which so anxiously await them.

The Rev. Ewen Macqueen, in moving the adoption of the Report, said that he had listened with pleasure to the interesting and pleasant report given in by the Convener. It was encouraging to know from this report the interest our people in Canada had for ministers from the home church, and it was to be hoped that at no distant date some one might respond to the call coming from Canada for ministers. There was one note in the report which, however, was not so pleasant—he referred to the Convener’s resignation. They as a Church were much indebted for the work he had undertaken in this Committee, and though he had not yet seen ministers placed in Western Canada, he might soon see what he longed to see. The Rev. Malcolm Gillies seconded the motion, and the Rev. D. A. Macfarlane, in speaking in support of it, said he felt it was their duty to acknowledge Mr. Beaton’s work on this Committee in view of the deep interest he had taken in this work. The report was then unanimously adopted.

10. REPORT OF EXAMINERS OF PRESBYTERY RECORDS.

The Examiners appointed by the Synod gave in their report, and the books of the three Presbyteries were reported to be well and orderly kept.

11. EDITOR OF MAGAZINE’S REPORT.

The Rev. D. Beaton, as Editor of the Free Presbyterian Magazine, gave in the following report:—

I have nothing very special to report this year in connection with the Magazine. We have now begun our 30th volume, and it is gratifying, I am sure, to the members of the Synod, as it is to me, that the circulation is steadily increasing. We are now within easy reach of a monthly circulation of 3000 copies. The Editor feels it his duty to thank those who have given a helping hand in the increase in the circulation, and he believes that with a very little extra effort the number of copies issued per month could be easily increased. In view of the costs of printing and material we are not in a position to reduce the price, and any increase in size would raise the postage to one penny per copy. We take this opportunity of reminding our readers, however, that since the War we have increased the size and reduced the price of the Magazine, which has not been done as far as we know by any other religious magazine with a similar circulation in Scotland.

Financially, the Magazine is in a sound condition, showing a balance this year of £158.

The Editor takes this opportunity of cordially thanking all those who, by writing him encouraging letters or sending material for the Magazine, have helped to lessen his editorial burdens. It is with a deepened sense of his responsibilities, as the sphere of the Magazine’s influence extends, that he faces the future, and with the heartfelt prayer that the Holy Spirit would bless for God’s glory what is presented in the Magazine from month to month.

The Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved the adoption of the Report, and remarked that it was gratifying to know that, while we could not be said to be growing in numbers as a Church at home, the Magazine was increasing in circulation. He was sure that the numbers issued could still be increased. He had pleasure in moving that the Report be adopted, and that the same amount allocated to the Editor and Treasurer of the Magazine last year be allocated this year. The motion

was seconded by Mr. James Campbell, and unanimously adopted.

The Rev. Neil Cameron moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. D. Matheson, and unanimously agreed to:—

“That the Synod rescind the resolution of the Synod of 1907 re acknowledgment of only anonymous contributions in the Magazine, and decide that in future acknowledgments of contributions and donations to Building Funds and the General Funds of the Church (that is such money as is sent to the General Treasurer) may be acknowledged in the Magazine, it being understood that contributions to congregational funds are excluded and that the addresses of donors and contributors be curtailed as much as possible.”

12. APPOINTMENT OF CHURCH COMMITTEES.

The Rev. D. Beaton moved and Rev. R. Mackenzie seconded the appointment of the following Church Committees:—

1. Training of the Ministry and Theological Committee.—Revs. E. Macqueen (Convener), D. M. Macdonald, and D. A. Macfarlane.

2. Finance Committee.—Revs. N. Cameron (Convener), E. Macqueen, D. M. Macdonald, Mr. James Campbell, Mr. John Grant, General Treasurer, to be associated with the Committee.

3. Canadian Mission Committee.—Revs. N. Macintyre (Convener), D. N. Macleod, D. M. Macdonald, and M. Morrison.

4. Jewish and Foreign Mission Committee.—Revs. N. Cameron (Convener), N. Macintyre, D. A. Macfarlane.

5. Church Magazine Committee.—Editor (Convener), with Clerks of the three Presbyteries ex officio.

6. Religion and Morals Committee.—Revs. D. N. Macleod (Convener), M. Morrison, and R. Mackenzie.

7. Synod’s Business Committee.—Moderator, with Synod Clerk and the Clerks of the three Presbyteries ex officio.

13. CHURCH COLLECTIONS.

It was agreed that the Church Collections be taken up as follows:—(1) Aged and Infirm Ministers’, Widows’, and Orphans’ Fund in June—notice to be sent by Rev. E. Macqueen; (2) College Fund in August—notice to be sent by the Rev. E. Macqueen; (3) Home Mission Fund (Missionaries and Catechists), first collection by book from house to house in October—

notice to be sent by Rev. N. Cameron; (4) General Church Building Fund in December—notice to be sent by the Rev. D. Beaton; (5) Organisation Fund in January 1926—notice to be sent by the Rev. D. Beaton; (6) Jewish and Foreign Missions Fund in February 1926—notice to be sent by Rev. N. Cameron; (7) Home Mission Fund (Missionaries and Catechists), second collection in April—notice to be sent by Rev. N. Cameron.

14. BUSINESS FROM PRESBYTERIES.

Northern Presbytery.—In connection with the remit from the Northern Presbytery in reference to a uniform metrical version of the Gaelic Psalms, the Rev. Neil Cameron moved that congregations be asked to use the metrical version of the Psalms usually printed at the end of Gaelic Bible. This was seconded by the Rev. James Macleod, and unanimously agreed to.

Western Presbytery.—(1) The Synod approved of the appointment of Mr Murdo Mackinnon as missionary at Stockinish, and of Messrs John Macleod and Donald Macsween as temporary joint-missionaries at Strond, Harris. (2) The Rev. Neil Cameron moved that £5 be added to the salary of Mr Donald Ross, missionary, Sollas. This was seconded by Rev. E. Macqueen, and unanimously agreed to. (3) In reference to the petition from Raasay asking for the removal of the church to Clachan, it was moved, seconded, and unanimously agreed to that the prayer of the petition be granted, and that authority be given, subject to the consent of the Trustees, for the sale of the manse to a suitable party.

COMPETENT BUSINESS.

1. Mr Donald Macleod, Student, Winnipeg.—It was agreed that, in the event of Mr Donald Macleod, student, Winnipeg, coming to this country, he be placed under the jurisdiction of the Western Presbytery, and that, if he be accepted by the Presbytery as a student of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, he be paid the sum which the Synod conditionally allocated for this purpose.

2. Circulars of Appeal for Building Funds.—It was decided that when a Presbytery authorised collecting cards to be issued for building funds, the Clerks of the other two Presbyteries be informed, so that there might be no overlapping.

The Synod decided to meet again. God willing, at Glasgow, in the Hall of St Jude’s Free Presbyterian Church, on Tuesday after the third Sabbath of May 1926, at 6.30 p.m.