Slavery in Liberia.—The reign of the slave dealer is not at an end yet it would appear and of all places in the world Liberia, which was set up as a Republic for freed slaves from the United States, is where it has been showing itself recently. A Commission was appointed by the League of Nations to look into the condition of things existing in Liberia and the “Times” in commenting on the Commission’s report says: “It exposes a maladministration so cruel and so corrupt, and an exploitation of native workers by their negro masters so callous and so shameless that the civilized world will not be satisfied until effective measures have been taken to substitute a system of justice for a reign of brute force and to establish decent conditions of labour.”
Scots Ministers’ Concert Party.—In our last issue we intended making a comment on the above and though our remarks may appear to be somewhat belated it is right that this movement in Glasgow ministerial circles should be exposed. The newspaper report says that more than a thousand persons filled the church and the hall of Rutherford Church, Dennistoun, Glasgow. The reverend singers had to give every item twice—once in the church and then in the hall. Lest the strain would be too much for the singers or, may be for their audience, humorous stories were told by some of the ministers present. The Rev. F. P. C. Simmons was evidently delighted with the success of the venture and he informed a journalist that his party had been engaged to sing in other places. It is a fair indication of the low state of religion in the country generally and in Glasgow in particular when such a concert would be allowed. It is in this way ministers have lost the respect they once had in Scotland and who can blame the people? The Church and its servants are out to amuse the people and are competing with the music hall, the picture houses and the theatre, but Satan is one too many for these entertainment amateurs and he will go one better every time.
Petition to Parliament.—The Lord’s Day Observance Society (Secretary, Mr. H. H. Martin, 22 Red Lion Square, London, W.C.1) is presenting a great national Petition to Parliament against the opening of Theatres, Cinema Halls and other places of amusement on the Sabbath. Forms of the Petition may be had post free from the Secretary. There is no getting away from the fact that a determined effort is to be made to change the law and to allow all places of amusement to open on the Lord’s Day. Our readers should not only get these forms but also get into touch with their members of Parliament so that the Bill presently before Parliament might not get a place on the Statute Book.
A Mixed Multitude.—At the recent induction of the Rev. Kenneth Cameron, M.A., to the Free North Congregation, Inverness, the “Northern Chronicle” devotes a short paragraph to the induction and two and three quarter columns to the luncheon speeches, congregational social, and presentations. We have not space in a short note to refer to the speeches in proposing the loyal and patriotic toasts given from the chair, and other toasts but notice must be taken that in proposing “Other Churches” Dr. Maclean, Bishop of Moray and Ross, replied. One wonders at first sight if it was really so but there sure enough are the words of his speech. Dr. Maclean is a distinguished scholar and an estimable gentleman but surely charity has gone a step further than neighbourliness required when a Bishop of the Scottish Episcopal Church (remembering what its doctrines and principles are) was asked to be present on such an occasion. The Bishop’s welcome was followed by that of the Rev. Donald Macleod and Rev. E. J. F. Elliott, M.A. Then came the toast of the “Town and Trade of Inverness” proposed by Dr. Galbraith, Dingwall, and replied to by Provost MacEwen. At the congregational social the Rev. James Tolmie, Queen Street Church (formerly U.F.) said in his speech that “those of them who at times rose above their denominational differences and thought about the progress of the Kingdom of the Lord, felt that in Mr. Cameron they were associated in a richer and truer union than any union of the Churches.” We need not say much; the proceedings speak for themselves but the policy to bring together Episcopalians, Church of Scotland (especially as it is now constituted) and men with such strong bias against the right observance of the Sabbath as Provost MacEwen has shown time and again is a policy that is heading in a bad direction. We have been told in season and out of season that there is no difference between the Free Church and ourselves but we have no hesitation in saying that such functions would not be tolerated at a Free Presbyterian induction. We notice that those who are out for the wider union are making a great deal of the Inverness gathering.
The Edinburgh Cinemas permitted to Open for Three Sabbaths.—The action to interdict the opening of the cinemas on certain Sabbaths for collecting money for the extension of the Royal Infirmary was brought up in the Court of Session on the 18th January. The Edinburgh magistrates would not resile from the permission they had given to open the cinemas for the above purpose. Mr. J. L. Wark, K.C., for the Lord’s Day Observance Association (Eastern Branch) said he was authorised not to ask for immediate stoppage if an undertaking was given by the magistrates that no further Sabbath licences would be issued until the major issue was decided, viz., the legality of opening cinemas on the Sabbath. Counsel for the magistrates said he did not feel entitled to give that undertaking but he was satisfied the magistrates had no intention of granting any further permission during the present year or during the action. We believe the Lord’s Day Observance Association has made a serious tactical blunder in authorising their counsel to make the offer he did. They are fighting determined men and retreat in the presence of a determined enemy sometimes means disaster. It is to be regretted that the Association acted as they did for if the opening of the cinemas is not only contrary to the law of God and the law of Scotland, as we believe it is to both, then they have played into the hands of the enemy and in the first skirmish yielded a strong position. The larger question as to whether cinemas can legally open on the Lord’s Day in Scotland is yet to be decided.
Ministerial Spiritualists.—The modern craze for idle prying into the secrets of the world of spirits is growing. Recently a meeting of 130 clergymen and ministers was held in All Soul’s Church Room, Langham Place, London. A Committee was formed to arrange another meeting at which a clairvoyant will give demonstration of how messages are received from the other world. The meeting was called by the Rev. Arthur Buxton (brother of Lord Noel-Buxton) and 100 invitations were sent out to clergymen and ministers of all denominations in London. Not only did the hundred turn up but many more from the country. One speaker said that spiritualism was the most progressive force in the world of religious thought at the present time. All we say by way of comment is that religious thought must be in a very sickly condition when spiritualism was its most progressive force. The Churches have been drifting from the truths of God and their servants now grasp at any novelty that appeals to the passing whim of the moment.