BY REV. NEIL MACINTYRE.
IN submitting the Canadian Mission Report there are various matters which come under our notice. We shall first refer to the efforts made by the Committee to secure supply. As you are aware, there was an urgent request last year from Vancouver after Mr Donald Matheson had left them to send a deputy and promising to meet all expenses. As the Committee were somewhat dubious as to whether the Vancouver Mission would be able singlehanded to meet the necessary expense, we submitted the matter to the Synod and asked if the Church at home would be prepared to meet any deficit. The Synod unanimously agreed to come to their help if necessary. I am pleased to report that all the travelling expenses of the deputy have already been refunded to the General Treasurer.
Immediately after the meeting of Synod the Committee began to look for a deputy, and after some correspondence with several of our ministers, the Rev. James Macleod, Glendale, consented to go for at least nine months. Mr Macleod sailed on 20th October by the s.s. “Doric.” We have had several letters from him since he arrived in Canada with very favourable reports of all the stations. As Mr Macleod has sent a report of his travels which will be submitted, we will not deal further with his labours. The Committee would take this opportunity of sincerely thanking Mr Macleod for stepping into the breach and also for his services.
We have next to report on the unfortunate trouble which arose in Winnipeg anent the Synod’s Resolution re travelling by tram-cars and trains on the Sabbath day. A communication was submitted to the last meeting of Synod from the Elders, Messrs Lachlan Ross, Wm. Sinclair, and Murdo Macfarlane, in which they stated: “If the Synod find they cannot alter the existing law on this matter, then we are left with no alternative but to resign from the Eldership.” The Synod, after seriously considering this statement along with others bearing on the same subject, remitted the Winnipeg case to the Canadian Mission Committee with full powers to deal with it, with instructions that in the event of any difficulty arising they were to consult the Presbyteries. After the Synod’s finding, adhering to
their former Resolution had been conveyed by the Clerk of Synod to the said Elders, they tendered their resignations to the Committee on 20th June 1928. On receipt of that letter, we sent Mr Wm. Sinclair, who was Clerk of Session, the following reply: “A copy of your resignation and that of your fellow-Elders was sent me as Convener of the Canadian Mission Committee, per Rev. James Tallach. Meantime I only wish to inform you, as Clerk of the Kirk-Session, that your resignations are still on the table, and until they are accepted you are Elders of the congregation. I would also point out that until your resignations are accepted you are at liberty to withdraw them.”
Perhaps I should mention that Mr Lachlan Ross expressed a desire to withdraw his resignation on condition that old and infirm people be allowed to travel by street-cars and trains on Sabbath in attending the means of grace. We replied that such conditions could not be entertained by the Church. The Committee would desire to express their sincere sympathy with Mr Ross in the sad bereavement of the loss of his wife, and also in his own illness.
In connection with accepting the resignations of these Elders, the Committee had a difficulty in taking the whole responsibility. We, therefore, drew out a statement which was submitted to the Presbyteries for their approval. The Presbyteries approved of it. The statement appeared in the February number of the Magazine, so it need not be repeated here. The gist of it was that “the Elders be reprimanded for their action, that their resignations be accepted, while not absolving them from their duties and responsibilities as Trustees of the Congregation.”
Mr Tallach reported that a congregational meeting was held on 27th June, at which a motion to the following effect was carried by a considerable majority: “In view of the finding of the Synod of May, 1928, anent the Resolution on Church Privileges, this Congregation agree to honour said finding and submit to same.” As Mr Macleod in his report deals with the condition of things in Winnipeg, we will not refer to it further.
It remains for us now to explain the efforts made by the Committee to secure a deputy for the present year. We have had pressing calls from Vancouver, Detroit and Winnipeg. Each of these places were anxious that a minister be sent who would confine his labours entirely to that particular Mission. Each station promised
to defray all expenses. However much we sympathise with them and appreciate their laudable desire to have the Gospel preached among them in its purity and to have the public worship of God conducted according to His word, the Committee finds that in the present state of the Church at home it is almost impossible to secure more than one minister. We are pleased to report Mr Finlay Macleod, Dornoch, has consented to go this year as our deputy. Mr Macleod expects to sail (D.V.) in July. May He who promised, “And lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world,” go with him in all his travels and abundantly bless his labours to poor sinners in Canada and the States.
The Committee has not yet made final arrangements as to how his time should be divided among the different stations, and would be pleased to have any suggestions from the members of Synod.
In conclusion, the Committee, in name of the Church, would again take this opportunity of expressing their sincere sympathy with our people in the several stations in their struggles in “holding fast the form of sound words” and trust that the Lord of the harvest will in His own good time send them labourers who will permanently break the bread of life among them.
Report of Church’s Deputy to U.S.A. and Canada.
BY THE REV. JAMES MACLEOD, GLENDALE.
IT is not likely that I can be present at the Synod on this occasion, therefore, it will be my duty to submit to the Canadian Mission Committee a brief report of my mission to our Canadian Congregations and Mission Stations. I left Glasgow on the 20th of October, 1928, and arrived in Montreal on the 28th at 8.45 p.m. We were about two days behind schedule time through stress of weather. We had two days of very rough weather. The big hulk of the s.s. “Doric” was very small in the huge waves of the Atlantic ocean. How weak and helpless puny man appears when confronted with adverse elements.
The Most High brought us safely out of the storm into the calm waters of the River St Lawrence. The contrast was remarkable, and that will be the way with
the believer when he will finish his course in this stormy life of temptations, trials, and difficulties. It will all end in the blessed calm and peace of eternal rest!
It was on Sabbath evening we sailed up the St Lawrence. It was obvious even at a distance that we were drawing near a city that is governed and ruled by the Church of Rome. The priests of Rome have erected a huge cross of an imaginary Saviour on the top of Mount Royal, and at night the cross is illuminated by electric light, which can be seen for miles in all directions before one is in the city.
I was allowed to remain on board the ship until Monday morning, when I made for Toronto, which I reached on Monday evening. Mr Roderick Campbell met me at the depot, and conveyed me to his own house, where I was very kindly entertained during my stay at Toronto. The Kirk-Session of the Reformed Presbyterian congregation granted me their church for Sabbath evening, and also for the following Wednesday. The congregation at the respective meetings were not very large, perhaps between 60 and 70 on Sabbath night, and about 50 on the Wednesday night. I met several of our own people from various parts of the Highlands.
DETROIT.—I arrived on the 8th of November in the city of Detroit, and remained there for three weeks. I stayed with Mrs R. S. Mackenzie, who in her usual kind and generous way made my stay in the city of Detroit very pleasant indeed. Mrs Mackenzie and the Mackenzie family are faithful friends of the Free Presbyterian Church. May the Most High grant them the life that shall never end. We have a most beautiful account in the last chapter of the Epistle to the Romans of men and women who befriended the cause of the Lord when it was despised and severely persecuted by the devil, and wicked men. Paul says about Phebe, “for she has been a succourer of many, and of myself also.” The labour of love bestowed upon the cause of Christ shall not be forgotten by the Lord. For the Holy Spirit says, “Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.” And we should be ready to say unfeignedly to our friends, “the Churches of Christ salute you.” The true followers of the cause of Christ shall be in heaven as sure as Ruth got into the land of promise. Ruth clave unto her mother-in-law, and said, “Intreat me not to leave thee nor return from following after
thee: for whither thou goest, I will go: and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people. and thy God my God.” What a blessed resolution!
The services at Detroit were well attended. There would be between three and four hundred at the Gaelic service, and near or about two hundred at some of the services conducted in English. I met Highlanders from all parts of the North, and North-West Highlands. In the summer time the weather is extremely hot, and the most of them are out of the city, but they return again in September. The people are most anxious that the Church should make an endeavour to supply them with the means of grace, especially during the winter and spring months, and I do hope that the Committee and Synod will take this matter into their consideration. The city of Detroit is one of the largest cities in the United States, and for irreligion and lawlessness it has few equals. The people have enough of the good things of this life, but our poor people need, above all things, the Gospel. It is to be feared that they cannot hear the Gospel in the city of Detroit in its purity and divine simplicity.
Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, who is in charge of our Mission in Detroit, has been seriously ill since I was there, but I am thankful to say that he is improving in health, and may the Most High grant to strengthen him in body, and comfort him in his soul with the consolations that are in Christ Jesus. Mr Mackenzie has acted nobly, and faithfully on behalf of our Church since the removal of his beloved brother.
WINNIPEG.—I arrived in Winnipeg about the end of November and remained there until the 17th of December. Here I was lodged with Mr and Mrs John Ross. Mr Ross is a native of Foindle, Sutherlandshire, and Mrs Ross is a native of the Parish of Applecross. They were both born and bred in the Free Presbyterian Church, and right loyal and faithful they are to the Church and jealous for its honour and for the cause of Christ in connection with us. May the Lord grant them of his rich grace to be faithful to the end of their day. They were both real kind to me, and for their kindness I sincerely thank them. Rev. James A. Tal-lach left for Scotland a week or two before I arrived, and Messrs William Sinclair and Murdo Macfarlane conducted the services in the congregation on his departure.
It is well known to the Committee that the congregation of Winnipeg were divided on the resolutions of Synod anent Sabbath travelling to church on ‘buses, trains, and street cars. The majority of the congregation were against the Synod’s ruling on the above question. However, the congregation was quite willing to continue with the Free Presbyterian Church. I spoke to Mr Lachlan Ross about holding the services in the absence of supply from Scotland, and Mr Ross promised that he would do what he could, but soon after I left Mr Ross had a severe attack of illness which incapacitated him for any work, and had to be removed to hospital for a serious operation, where he had to remain for about nine weeks. During the time Mr Ross was in hospital his wife died, and here I might mention also Mrs Sutherland, a native of Rogart, one of the members of the congregation was taken away. Mr L. Ross is much better, but weak. He is able to rise and go about the house, and he is suffering no pain. I have informed the Convener already of my impression of the Winnipeg situation, and it is not necessary to repeat that again. At the funeral of Mrs Sutherland (mentioned above) Mr William Sinclair conducted religious services at the grave, and when Mrs L. Ross died, her son-in-law, Rev. W. Matheson, attended, and he also conducted a religious service at the grave. When the Rev. Murdo Morrison, Lochinver, was here he was asked by a certain party to do the same, but Mr Morrison blankly refused, and explained to the people that such custom as praying at the grave was a Roman Catholic practice, and that the Free Presbyterian Church was not to revive a Roman Catholic custom. It is for the Synod to deal with this glaring inconsistency on the part of Rev. William Matheson and Mr William Sinclair.
VANCOUVER.—It was on the 22nd of December I arrived in Vancouver. I was met at the depot by our trusted and worthy friend, Mr Hugh Mackay. I was glad to see his face once more. I was conducted by Mr Mackay to Sergeant John Robertson’s house. I wish to place on record the kindness of the Lord to me, for Mr and Mrs Robertson could not have done more for any of their own dear children than they did for me during my stay in Vancouver. Their consideration, care, and kindness was from the Lord, and may He reward them for time and eternity. Our people are wonderfully kind wherever we go and meet them. We may
have back-sliders among us, but the back-bone is sound and healthy, and so long as the marrow is healthy it is it that counts.
It was very cold about the time I arrived in Vancouver. The services were not so well attended owing to illness among them, but when they got over their colds they attended well all the time I was there; so much so that at last the church was so full that after every place was packed some had to remain standing. I reckon that in Vancouver we have the most loyal and faithful congregation in Canada. The harmony that is among them and their love for the Gospel is uncommon in this generation. Mr Hugh Mackay and the Committee are most anxious to have a pastor settled over the congregation, but if that is not to be realised, meantime it is desired that one of the ministers of the Church supply them for not less than nine months of the year. The congregation of Vancouver will be responsible for all the expenses of travelling to and from Vancouver, and all other personal charges. They will be no burden to the Church at home in that respect. The city of Vancouver is fast becoming one of the largest cities in Canada. Since I was there last, nine years ago, the population has increased by one hundred and sixty thousand. The population now is three hundred and sixty-five thousand. There were forty thousand children attending the public schools of the city last winter. There is no doubt at all but Vancouver in the near future will be one of the largest cities in the British Empire. It is no mean city. The Scottish and English people predominate, and there are several thousands of our fellow-Highlanders in Vancouver. They have built a university which is well staffed with learned men in the various professions.
It needs the Gospel that saves lost and ruined sinners: for all the prosperity in the world will never take one soul out of the devil’s kingdom. Vancouver is a wide field for young men that love Zion and the souls of men. I visited all our families, and found them anxious to have one of the ministers of our Church among them. In February last I went as far north as Clayoquot Sound, which is about two hundred miles north-west of the city of Vancouver. I was there for one week-end, and had a Gaelic service at 11 a.m. and an English service at 7 p.m. The services were well attended. At the English service I noticed a Jap and
his wife among the people who were listening very attentively; may the Lord bless his own Word to their immortal souls.
I left Vancouver on the first day of April, and remained at Calgary for the first Sabbath of that month. Mr Angus Beaton arranged for the services in a very satisfactory way. There were very encouraging congregations at both morning and evening services.
Our Calgary friends are anxious that the Canadian Mission Committee would consider them as part of our Mission stations in Canada. I trust that their desire will not be overlooked by our deputies passing to and from the coast. There are several families of our Church in Calgary anxious to have the Gospel preached among them. I arrived in Winnipeg on my return journey on the 12th inst., and will remain here until the 30th of April, when after that I hope (D.V.) to go to Detroit for three Sabbaths, to Rodney for the last Sabbath of May.
I am firmly convinced that it is both the duty and privilege of our Church to serve our people in Canada. The Protestant Churches of this country are in a most deplorable back-sliding condition. Their ministers live according to the world, and serve the world with very few exceptions. As far as one can discern the highest ambition in the minds of their ministers is their own selfish aggrandisement, at the expense of divine truth, and their own profession. What a reckoning at the great day of Judgment.
The Free Church of Scotland has three Mission Stations in Canada. But there is absolutely no need for her and her Missions in this country, because there are plenty of her kind among the poor benighted Canadians already. There is no difference between the Free Church in this country and the other denominations. The Free Church allows her members to be at dancing and vain songs. Her members work on the street cars of the cities, post-offices, trains, and in grain elevators on the Lord’s day. Her Kirk-Sessions give all the privileges of their Church to Sabbath desecrators without a qualm. I have carefully enquired of Free Churchmen if this was the practice among them. They said, “It was,” and added that the man who gave out the “question” on Friday was working on the Lord’s day on one of the street cars of the city. The poor, blind people are to be pitied, for their leaders are leading them astray.
If the Free Church would not cease to compromise truth to suit the wishes of her people and act according to the dictates of worldly men, they will not get people to enter their places of worship.
The testimony raised for the sake of truth, the honour of Christ, and for the eternal benefit of immortal souls thirty-six years ago is becoming every year plainer that it was of the Lord, and may the Free Presbyterian Church continue faithful to her trust until better days dawn on the kingdoms of the earth.
I refer the Committee to Mr John Grant re financial arrangements for meeting general expenses to and from Canada. Our Canadian friends paid the expenses cheerfully. The greatest honour and wealth we can attain to in this world is to serve Christ, faithfulness to His blessed truth, and to the souls of men.
I enjoyed good health since I left Scotland, great kindness from my fellow-men, but, above all, the opportunities offered to make mention of His righteousness, and His only, and if one poor soul benefited for eternity I am well rewarded, and to the Lord be the glory for ever and ever!
I wish to mention how kind and considerate your Convener has been to me in writing almost weekly such nice Christian letters; also the Clerk of Synod was mindful of writing, whose advices and good wishes I highly valued and appreciated. I wish you peace and happiness at the Synod, and “may His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.”
The Workmanship of God.
“Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you” (John xv. 16). Our willing of Him, is a birth of His willing us; our love, a spark kindled of His love to us. God first calls us “My people,” before any of us calls Him, “My God” (Hos. ii. 23). The moon shines not upon the sun, till it be first illuminated by it. God first shines upon us before we can reflect upon Him; He calls us, before we can speak to Him in His own dialect; our coming is an effect of His drawing; and our power of coming on an effect of His quickening. Every member in Adam was a fruit of His power, as well as the whole body; every line drawn in the new creature is done by His pencil as well as the whole frame.—Charnock.