First Sederunt.
THE Synod met this year in Glasgow. The attendance of members was interfered with by the dislocation caused by the Strike. There was, however, a large attendance of the public at the meetings. The retiring Moderator, Rev. N. Macintyre, preached on Tuesday night, 18th May, from Matt. xvi., 18:—”Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.”
The members of Synod present were:—NORTHERN PRESBYTERY.—Rev. D. Beaton (Clerk), and Mr Kenneth Matheson (ruling elder). WESTERN PRESBYTERY.—Rev. D. M. Macdonald. SOUTHERN PRESBYTERY.—Revs. Neil Cameron, Neil Macintyre (Moderator), Donald A. Macfarlane, ministers; with Messrs Alexander Macdougall and James Mackay, ruling elders. Letters of apology were read from the following:—Revs. Donald Macfarlane, D. N. Macleod, M. Morrison, D. Mackenzie, M. Gillies, J. Macleod, D. Graham, J. MacLachlan and R. Mackenzie.
After the minutes of last sederunt were read, Mr Malcolm Macphie was appointed officer of court.
The Moderator then intimated that his term of office had now come to an end and that it remained with the Synod to appoint his successor. He thanked the Synod for their forbearance with him during his term of office. The Rev. N. Cameron moved and the Rev. D. Beaton seconded that the Rev. D. M. Macdonald be appointed Moderator for the ensuing year. Mr Macdonald thanked the Synod for the honour conferred on him and took the chair.
The following members were appointed as examiners of Presbytery Records:—To examine Northern Presbytery Records—Rev. D. M. Macdonald; to examine Southern—Rev. D. Beaton and Mr Kenneth Matheson; to examine Western—Rev. D. A. Macfarlane and Mr James Mackay.
It was reported to the Synod that the following students, viz.:—Messrs Finlay Macleod, James Tallach and D. J. Matheson, after passing their final theological examination were ready for license, and on making application to their respective Presbyteries would be taken on trials for license.
It was moved and seconded that the Rev. N. Macintyre be asked to send his Synod sermon to the Magazine for publication.
It was decided that members of the Synod meet as a Business Committee and as a Committee on Bills and Overtures on Wednesday, the 19th May, at 11 a.m., at 216 West Regent Street, Glasgow, and that the next Sederunt of Synod meet (D.V.) in the hall of St Jude’s Free Presbyterian Church on the same day at 5 p.m. The meeting was then brought to a close by singing and prayer.
Second Sederunt.
The Synod met on Wednesday at 5 p.m. according to the terms of adjournment. After devotional exercises conducted by the Moderator the Synod was constituted with prayer.
The following members were present:—NORTHERN PRESBYTERY.—Revs. E. Macqueen, D. Beaton (Clerk), and Mr Kenneth Matheson, ruling elder. WESTERN PRESBYTERY.—Revs. D. M. Macdonald (Moderator), Malcolm Gillies, R. Mackenzie, ministers; with Messrs John Macdonald and John Stewart, ruling elders. SOUTHERN PRESBYTERY.—Revs. N. Cameron, N. Macintyre, and D. A. Macfarlane, ministers; with Messrs A. Macdougall and James Mackay, ruling elders.
After the roll was called the minutes of previous meeting were read and approved of.
The Clerk reported the order of business agreed to by the Business Committee, and the Synod proceeded to take up the various items in the order agreed to.
1. Theological Tutor’s Report.
The Report was given in by the Rev. D. Beaton, theological tutor. He reported that there were four students studying at Wick this session—Messrs Finlay Macleod, Donald Macleod, Robert Sinclair and D. Urquhart. Owing to the needs of our London Mission and Winnipeg Mr James Tallach and Mr D. J. Matheson were relieved from attending this session at Wick to supply these places. Work was prescribed for them and, in common with their fellow-students at Wick, examination papers were set for them. The students did their work creditably and showed generally a keen interest in their work, thus making the work of their tutor more pleasant. In the Greek New Testament the Gospel according to John was read, and many of the important truths revealed in it were discussed. The dates and authorship of the New Testament books were also gone over by a text book. In the Textual Criticism of the New Testament lectures were delivered on the
history of the subject and the position of the leading textual critics up to the present time were set forth and discussed. Use was also made of Miller’s Guide to New Testament Textual Criticism in dealing with the materials of criticism. In Church History lectures were delivered on the “Religious and Ecclesiastical Literature of Scotland,” in which the outstanding works of our Scottish divines were noted and commented on. The ecclesiastical writings dealing with Scottish history, biography and controversial subjects were also passed in review and indication given of the standpoint of the various writers. Familiarity with the religious and ecclesiastical literature of our country is an important item in the educational equipment of Scottish theological students, though it is a subject rarely dealt with by theological teachers. King Hewison’s “Covenanters” was also used as a text book, and the great struggle for civil and religious liberty so vividly told in its pages is fitted to leave a deep impression on the mind of the grand nobility of heart and mind of our worthy forefathers who left us such a precious heritage.”
The adoption of the Report was moved by the Rev. Neil Cameron, seconded by Mr John Macdonald, and was unanimously adopted.
The following subjects and examiners were appointed by the Synod for the Final Theological Examination:—New Testament Greek—Gospel according to John—Miller’s Guide to the Textual Criticism of the New Testament: Examiner—Rev. D. A. Macfarlane, M.A. Church History and Church Polity—King Hewison’s “Covenanters” (vol I.)—Lindsay’s “Reformation” (T. and T. Clark’s Bible Handbooks)—Witherow’s “Apostolic Church: Which Is It?”; Examiner—Rev. R. Mackenzie, M.A.
2. Financial Statement.
Mr John Grant, General Treasurer, gave in this Report, which was of a very encouraging nature. The funds showed a total increase of £1305, which included a legacy of £1000.
Mr Cameron, in moving the report, said we should be thankful for the very favourable financial report given in. When the Free Presbyterian Church began we had no money and we had now to say to-day what the Apostles said when the Lord asked them: “Lacked ye anything?” They answered: “Nothing.” The Free Presbyterians after putting up buildings and contributing liberally to Church funds can say that they
are not poorer for that to-day. Sometimes he thought it was nothing less than a miracle when one looked back on all that was done in putting up buildings and maintaining all these years the various agencies of the Church. God had made it up in a mysterious way to them what the people had been giving to Him so that the work at home and abroad was carried on. Mr Cameron said he had pleasure in moving the adoption of the Report, and that the General Treasurer and Auditors be thanked for their services. Further, that the Statement be published in an early issue of the Magazine. Mr Kenneth Matheson, in seconding the report, said that as he listened to Mr Grant’s statement he could not help saying: “O that men to the Lord would give praise for His goodness then.”
On the motion of the Rev. Ewen Macqueen, seconded by Mr James Mackay, it was unanimously decided that the legacy of the late Mrs Mackay, Sydney House, Lairg, be allocated to the Sustentation Fund.
3. Foreign Mission Report.
The Report, which is given on another page, was read by the Rev. N. Cameron, Convener. The adoption of the Report was moved by the Rev. M. Gillies and seconded by Mr A. Macdougall.
The Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved that the Foreign Mission Committee be authorised to give £100 towards meeting part of the cost of Mr Tallach’s car. Mr John Stewart seconded, and this was unanimously agreed to.
In connection with the new buildings referred to by Mr Tallach, it was decided by the Synod to allocate £150.
4. Report of Committee on Religion and Morals.
This Report, which appears on another page, was given in by the Rev. D. M. Macdonald, and was listened to with close attention. The adoption of the Report was moved by the Rev. D. Beaton, who said that Mr Macdonald had presented to the Synod a very comprehensive and informative Report. The condition of things religiously was anything but encouraging. The god of this world was making a tremendous bid for the young and was largely successful, and it ought to be the prayer of God’s people that his spell would be broken. The motion was seconded by Mr Kenneth Matheson and unanimously adopted.
The Rev. Neil Cameron moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Rev. R. Mackenzie,
and unanimously adopted:—
“The Synod express their heartfelt alarm and deep grief on account of the desecration of the Sabbath Day perpetrated in this nation by men and women from the Royal family down to the labouring class, and would warn all concerned that this sin will not be unpunished by the Lord of the Sabbath.
“The Synod would specially warn the members and adherents of this Church to refrain from using any motor-cars or ‘buses, etc., which are run for hire on the Sabbath Day.”
5. Canadian Mission Committee’s Report.
This Report was given in by the Rev. N. Macintyre, Convener, as follows:—
“In giving the Report of the Canadian Mission Committee I may point out that there are now only three stations which come directly under the jurisdiction of the Committee. These are—Vancouver, Winnipeg and Detroit, and I will refer to each of them in order.
“(1) Vancouver. Mr Donald Matheson, Missionary, to whom the Church is much indebted for his continued services, is labouring there with much acceptance and appreciation. Mr Matheson reports that there are 29 families connected with the congregation, making a total of about 70 people. The congregation is slightly increasing numerically, and their finances have also increased a little, which is a cause of encouragement and thankfulness.
“As the Synod is aware, they built a church which is capable of holding about 160 people. It cost \$1750, which is all paid, and the building is now free of debt.
The congregation are most anxious to secure a minister and made a strong appeal to one of our divinity students to go out to them when licensed with a view of giving him a call. I am sorry to report that the student could not see his way to go, and his refusal was a keen disappointment to the people. It would be most desirable, in view of the large number of emigrants going out from Scotland to these parts, that a minister should be settled there as soon as possible. May the Lord of the harvest, who alone can provide labourers, provide them a pastor in His own good time.
“(2) Winnipeg. Mr John Murray was asked to go to this mission last summer during the vacation at Princeton, and Mr Murray agreed to go. The congre-
gation highly appreciated his services and the numbers increased while he was there.
“As you will remember, it was arranged that Mr Donald Macleod, student, who had charge of this congregation for several years, should return to this country last October to begin his divinity classes at Wick. The Committee had great difficulty in finding a successor to Mr Macleod. At one time the prospects were so discouraging that it appeared as if there were no alternative but to close the mission. After appealing unsuccessfully to several persons Mr Donald John Matheson, divinity student, volunteered to go for a year. Mr Matheson arrived safely in Winnipeg about the beginning of November, and from reports received his services are highly appreciated, and the congregation are prospering both numerically and financially, and, we hope, spiritually under his charge. Probably, when Mr Matheson will be returning, the Committee will be faced with the same difficulty as on the former occasion, but we are doing our utmost to secure a suitable successor.
“I am pleased to report that the congregation, after struggling for years to have a place of worship erected, have now begun to build a church and expect to have it opened for divine service at the end of this month (May). It will cost \$5900. The congregation deserves credit in facing this heavy outlay along with their many other financial burdens. The Committee would take this opportunity in appealing to friends of the cause who can afford to come to their aid and help to wipe off this debt. Any such help would be much appreciated by them. Mr Wm. Sinclair, 77 Walnut Street, Winnipeg, will be very pleased to receive and acknowledge all such contributions.
“Winnipeg, like Vancouver, is anxious to have a minister settled over them, and may He who put an earnest care in the heart of Titus for the Corinthians direct the heart of some of our young men to this wide field.
“The Committee would impress on our Canadian people that their failure to secure a minister is not to be interpreted as if the Church at home had no interest in their welfare. Nothing would give more pleasure to us than to see a suitable pastor settled over them. Our advice to them would be: “Cast your burden upon the Lord and wait patiently on Him.”
“(3) Detroit. This Mission suffered a severe blow by the death of Mr R. S. Mackenzie. Mr Mackenzie showed his great interest in the cause both by his
means and labour. It was with him our Deputies stayed and those of us who visited this Mission will always have pleasant recollections of the warm and hospitable reception received both from him and Mrs Mackenzie. Mrs Mackenzie has written to let us know that her house would be as free and open as ever to any Deputy who might visit Detroit. We would like to take this opportunity of publicly thanking Mrs Mackenzie for her kind and generous offer. Our sincere desire is that He who promised to be a Husband to the widow and a Father to the fatherless will be her shield and her orphans’ stay.
“Mr Kenneth Mackenzie willingly consented to act as Treasurer in place of his late brother, so that the Mission so far as the outward organisation is concerned is maintained as before.
“Mr John Murray, Divinity Student, Princeton, gave them two Sabbaths during his New Year’s holidays, and Rev. Wm. Matheson, Chesley, gave other two, for which services the people were very grateful.
“Owing to the heavy travelling expenses the Missions were not anxious that a Deputy should be sent from Scotland this summer, but the Winnipeg congregation have invited Rev. Mr Matheson, Chesley, to go and open their new church when finished, which he has consented to do. The Committee have therefore appointed Mr Matheson as their Deputy, and he may probably visit Vancouver also before he returns.
“On the whole, we consider the situation is very favourable, and we have reason to be thankful that the Lord is still, in face of much opposition, enabling us to keep an open door where poor sinners may gather to worship Him according to His word and their conscience. May He bless the weak efforts made, and may the little one become a thousand and the small one a strong nation; may the Lord hasten it in His time!”
The adoption of the Report was moved by the Rev. Malcolm Gillies, who said that it was specially interesting to those of them who had been in Canada and spent some of their time there. The Report was encouraging, and he had listened to it with pleasure. The motion was seconded by Mr James Mackay and unanimously adopted.
6. Reports of Examiners on Presbytery Records.
Rev. D. M. Macdonald reported that the records of the Northern Presbytery were well kept. Rev. D. Beaton and Mr Kenneth Matheson gave in a similar
Report on the Southern Presbytery records, as did also Rev. D. A. Macfarlane and Mr James Mackay on the Western Presbytery records.
7. Magazine Report.
The Rev. D. Beaton, as Convener of the Magazine Committee, gave in the following Report:—”It is gratifying to be able to again report an increase in our circulation. We have now crossed the 3000 per month, which for a time was the summit at which we aimed. It is very gratifying to know of the efforts made on the part of many in this country and in other countries to extend the circulation of the Magazine. When it is borne in mind that we do not represent what may be called a popular cause, I am sure my brethren in common with myself will appreciate the widening influence of our monthly missionary, going as it does to countries and places where the contributors to its pages have never been, and delivering its message there with monthly regularity.
“As Editor, I should like to take this opportunity of again thanking those who send contributions occasionally to the pages of the Magazine, and though they may not find a place immediately in its pages, owing to the amount of matter previously handed in, the senders are not to be discouraged, as we hope to make use of a number of the contributions. Perhaps it may be allowable to say that, while a few of my brethren in the ministry are doing their duty in sending literary contributions to the Magazine, others are coming far short. I know our people would appreciate such contributions, as they would give more variety to the literary contents of the Church’s Magazine. The Committee are indebted to Mr Cameron for superintending the Gaelic section of the Magazine.
“Financially, the Magazine Fund shows for the year ending 31st April an increased balance of £44 on corresponding period of last year. The Free Distribution Fund, however, shows a drop of £9 on last year’s total. We had hoped to enlarge the Magazine by 8 pages this year, but as this would have increased the postage to 1d per copy, we had to leave the matter over. We hope, in view of the satisfactory nature of the Magazine Fund, to reduce its price next year; provided there is no increase in the present printing charges.”
The Rev. Ewen Macqueen, in moving the adoption of the Report, said it was encouraging to learn that the Magazine was increasing in circulation. He concluded
by moving the adoption of the Report given in by the Convener of the Magazine Committee, and that the Editor and Treasurer receive the same salary as formerly. This was seconded by Mr John Macdonald and unanimously agreed to.
8. Appointment of Church Standing Committees.
It was moved by Rev. D. Beaton, and seconded by the Rev. R. Mackenzie, that the following be appointed members of the respective Standing Committees :—
- Training of the Ministry and Theological Committee—Revs. E. Macqueen (Convener), D. M. Macdonald, and D. A. Macfarlane.
- Finance Committee—Revs. N. Cameron (Convener), E. Macqueen, D. M. Macdonald, and Mr Charles Maclean. Mr John Grant, General Treasurer, to be associated with the Committee.
- Canadian Mission Committee—Revs. N. Macintyre (Convener), D. M. Macdonald, M. Morrison, and M. Gillies.
- Jewish and Foreign Mission Committee—Revs. N. Cameron (Convener), N. Macintyre, D. A. Macfarlane.
- Church Magazine Committee—The Editor (Convener), with the Clerks of the three Presbyteries ex officio.
- Religion and Morals Committee—Revs. D. M. Macdonald (Convener), M. Morrison, R. Mackenzie, D. A. Macfarlane.
- Synod’s Business Committee—Moderator, with Synod Clerk and the Clerks of the three Presbyteries ex officio.
9. Church Collections.
It was moved by the Rev. N. Cameron and seconded by Rev. N. Macintyre 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 the Rev. Ewen 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 1927—notice to be sent by the Rev. D. Beaton; (6) Jewish and Foreign Missions Fund in February 1927—
notice to be sent by the Rev. N. Cameron; (7) Home Mission Fund (Missionaries and Catechists), second collection in April—notice to be sent by the Rev. N. Cameron.
10. Business from Presbyteries.
WESTERN PRESBYTERY.—(1) Applecross—It was moved by the Rev. N. Cameron and seconded by the Rev. R. Mackenzie that Mr John Campbell continue to supply for this year again. (2) It was moved by the Rev. Ewen Macqueen and seconded by Mr Kenneth Matheson that £15 per annum be given to Mr Alexander Beaton, Struan. (3) Scorraig—It was moved by the Rev. N. Cameron and seconded by Mr Kenneth Matheson that £10 be granted to Mr Hector Campbell for this year only without putting him on the missionary list. (4) In answer to a request from Rev. D. Graham, the Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved and Mr John Stewart seconded that £10 per annum be granted to Mr John Maclellan, Diabeg. (5) Breasclete—It was moved by the Rev. E. Macqueen and seconded by Rev. R. Mackenzie that Mr Norman Mackay be appointed a missionary at Breasclete, at the rate of £52 per annum.
11. Competent Business.
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HISTORY OF THE FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.—A letter was read by the Clerk from the Rev. Duncan Mackenzie, suggesting that something should be done in the way of compiling a history of the Free Presbyterian Church. The Synod decided that something should be done in this direction, and the following Committee were appointed :—Revs. N. Cameron (Convener); N. Macintyre, E. Macqueen, and D. Beaton.
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FISHING STATIONS.—A short report by Mr Angus Mackinnon on his visit to Yarmouth was read in his absence by the Rev. Malcolm Gillies, and is as follows :—
“ According to the request of the Western Presbytery, I left Stormoway for Great Yarmouth on the 14th of October, and arrived there on the 16th. I had some difficulty in finding a suitable place of worship, but at last the Unitarian Church, Middlegate, was procured. It would be advisable in future years to write the Secretary of the above congregation in ample time for arrangements. I stayed in Yarmouth for five Sabbaths, and the services were well attended from beginning to end. I held services on Sabbath at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Church, and at 6 p.m. in the Church Hall. I held services in the Hall also on Mon-
day and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., as that hour suited the people best in their different circumstances.
“The people showed by their attendance, and also by the liberal way in which they met all my expenses and the expense of the Church and Hall, that they appreciated the effort made by our Church in providing means of grace for them. To pay off almost £23 in five weeks seemed to be a great undertaking, but this difficulty was removed by their liberality.
“Though I had great pleasure in the work privately and publicly, yet the condition of Yarmouth on the Sabbath Day would grieve one to the heart. The Yarmouth men were as busy working at their nets and discharging herrings on the Sabbath Day as on any other day of the week. Public-houses and all kinds of shops were open on the Lord’s Day, and everything tended to show that the fear of the Lord was not in any way before the minds of the people. It was enough to make one wish to flee out of Yarmouth as Lot fled out of Sodom. It is very sad to see people aiming at wealth and pleasure, which will only last for a time, and despising the one thing needful for eternity.”
The following Committee were appointed to make arrangements for the supply of the fishing stations :— Revs. Malcolm Gillies (Convener), D. M. Macdonald, and D. Beaton.
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The Synod decided to appoint Wednesday, 26th May, as a Day of Humiliation, Prayer, and Thanksgiving, in view of the country’s recent trying experience and the present conditions prevailing.
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Arrangements were made for presenting the Rev. D. Macfarlane with the gift collected on the occasion of his attaining his ministerial jubilee, and it was decided that the presentation be made (D.V.) at Dingwall on Friday, 21st May.
The Synod decided to meet again (D.V.) at Inverness on Tuesday after the third Sabbath of May 1927. The meeting closed with praise and prayer.
So far as I ever observed God’s dealings with my soul, the flights of preachers sometimes entertained me; but it was Scripture’s expressions which did penetrate my heart, and that in a way peculiar to themselves.—
J. Brown, of Haddington.