By the Rev. NEIL MACINTYRE.
IN giving in the Report of the Committee appointed for the above purpose, Mr. Macintyre said, I may state that the Committee held two meetings, and my report as Convener may take the form of these minutes of these meetings:—
First Meeting.—At 4 Millburn Road, Inverness, on the 23rd day of August, 1932, the Committee appointed by the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland to investigate into the whole question of the status of missionaries met according to notice sent to members. There were present, Revs. Neil Macintyre, D. M. Macdonald, D. J. Matheson, Malcolm Gillies, ministers (clerks of presbyteries), and Mr. John Grant, General Treasurer. Rev. M. Gillies moved, and Rev. D. J. Matheson seconded, that Rev. Neil Macintyre be appointed Convener of the Committee. This was unanimously agreed to. By the motion of Rev. D. J. Matheson, seconded by Rev. D. M. Macdonald, Rev. M. Gillies was appointed clerk. The meeting was opened with prayer.
Rev. Neil Macintyre, Convener, said he had a difficulty in understanding exactly what Dr. Johnston had in view in bringing forward the motion anent missionaries which became the finding of the Synod. He had asked Dr. Johnston to draw up a statement explanatory of his motion and also asked him to be present. The Committee unanimously agreed that Dr. Johnston should go over the points of his statement before the Committee, and thus his mind on the matters at issue should be fully ascertained.
Dr. Johnston then read his statement, explaining and discussing the main points. On the suggestion of the Committee, he agreed to furnish each member with a typewritten copy for reference purposes. The Committee confined themselves at this stage to the proposal that the missionaries of the Church should hereafter be viewed as belonging to one of three classes: 1st, Full Time Missionaries; 2nd, Part Time Missionaries; and 3rd, Preaching Laymen. The Committee agreed to recommend to the Synod that the sum of £52 be fixed as the basic basis for full time missionaries; £20 per annum for part time missionaries; and nil for preaching laymen. The list of missionaries was gone over, and the case of each missionary carefully considered, in the light of the information given by the several clerks of Presbyteries. The Clerk was instructed to draw up the list, showing the present status and the proposed changes, this list to form part of the minute.
The Clerk received instructions in the case of Mr. Donald Maesween, Sollas, North Uist, to find out from him whether he would consider either to be removed to another station, such as Breaslet, Lewis, or agree to a reduction of salary, seeing that he was sent to Sollas only temporarily, and that the North Uist congregation do not contribute to the funds of the Church in any way like to the sums paid out to minister and missionaries. The Committee agreed that Mr. Finlay Beaton should be classed as a preaching layman, seeing that he supplies Stratherrick only on week-ends, also that Mr. A. Macdiarmaid’s salary remain as at present as long as the income of his shop is coming into his family.
Rev. M. Gillies reported that Mr. M. Macleod, Kyles Scalpay, Harris, was retiring, and that Mr. E. Morrison has been doing the work for some time. The Committee agreed to recommend that Mr. M. Macleod receive a pension of £10, and E. Morrison be paid at the rate of £20 till the meeting of Synod. It was pointed out that some preaching laymen might help the Church without accepting any gratuity. The Committee agreed to meet
again on Tuesday, 31st day of January, 1933, at Inverness. The meeting was closed with prayer.
Second Meeting.—The cases of certain missionaries were dealt with by the Committee. The Committee then discussed the duties of the missionaries, and it was agreed to recommend to the Synod that Full Time Missionaries should live within their districts, holding weekly prayer meetings as well as the Sabbath services. They should give all their time to the mission, giving the affairs of the cause preference before their personal interests. They should visit all the people regularly as well as the sick and hold yearly catechisings.
The Committee also considered the question of the absence of missionaries from their several stations, and the following resolution was adopted:—”The Committee recommend that the missionaries of the Church be allowed four Sabbaths’ absence from their stations annually, two Sabbaths only being consecutive, and that due care be taken that the meeting places be not closed; that a missionary should not be away from his charge any Sabbath beyond this, without the consent of the moderator or interim moderator, as will fit in with the surrounding circumstances of each congregation and stations.”
It was agreed that this minute be confirmed by the personal inspection and assent of each member of the Committee. The meeting was closed with prayer.