FIRST SEDERUNT.
THE Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met within the hall of St. Jude’s Free Presbyterian Church, Glasgow, on Tuesday, the 22nd May, 1934. The Rev. Ewen Macqueen conducted public worship and preached from Isaiah lix. 19, last clause of the verse, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” There was a very large attendance of the public.
Public Worship being ended, Rev. Donald J. Matheson, Moderator of Synod pro tem., constituted the Synod, in the absence of Rev. John Tallach, Moderator.
The Roll was then called and there were present—Western Presbytery:—Revs. D. M. Macdonald, D. Macleod, J. Colquhoun, A. Beaton, ministers; with Messrs. M. Macaskill, J. Macaulay, James Fraser, ruling elders. Outer Isles Presbytery:—Revs. M. Gillies, R. Macinnes, ministers. Northern Presbytery:—Revs. E. Macqueen, D. A. Macfarlane, F. Macleod, D. J. Matheson, R. R. Sinclair, ministers; with Messrs. F. Beaton, K. Matheson, ruling elders. Southern Presbytery:—Revs. N. Macintyre, D. Beaton, James Macleod, R. Mackenzie, James A. Tallach, ministers; with Messrs. A. Macdougall, Dr. Johnston, A. Mackay and D. Macpherson, ruling elders.
*This Report is not the official minutes of the Synod.—Editor.
Letters of apology from Rev. D. N. Macleod, Rev. M. Morrison, and Messrs. Malcolm Fraser and Hector Campbell were intimated. The Clerk referred to the bereavement sustained by Mr. Charles Sutherland and said it would be becoming that the Synod express its sympathy with their brother. Rev. Jas. Macleod moved as follows—”The Synod having received the news of the death of the wife of Mr. Charles Sutherland, a member of this Court, wish to express our deepest sympathy with him in his sore bereavement.” Rev. R. Mackenzie seconded and the motion was agreed to. The minutes of last meeting of Synod were read and approved.
Rev. D. M. Macdonald moved, and Rev. N. Macintyre seconded, that the Rev. D. J. Matheson, Moderator pro tem., be authorized to sign the Synod minutes of 1933 in place of Rev. John Tallach, Moderator. This was agreed to.
Rev. R. Mackenzie moved that Mr. Neil Macleod be appointed officer of Court. Mr. M. Macaskill seconded and Mr. Macleod having agreed, the motion was adopted.
Rev. D. Beaton intimated that Messrs. Donald Macaskill and Angus Mackay, students, were now ready for licence.
The Rev. E. Macqueen moved that Rev. James A. Tallach be appointed Moderator of Synod, Rev. D. Macleod seconded and the motion was approved. Rev. James A. Tallach intimated his acceptance and thanked the Synod for the honour conferred upon him.
Rev. James Macleod moved the appointment of the following examiners of records:—Revs. N. Macintyre and D. M. Macdonald to examine the Synod records; Revs. E. Macqueen and D. A. Macfarlane to examine records of Southern Presbytery; Revs. James Macleod and R. Mackenzie to examine Outer Isles Presbytery records; Revs. R. Macinnes and M. Gillies to examine Western Presbytery records; Revs. D. Macleod and A. Beaton to examine Northern Presbytery records. Rev. F. Macleod seconded this motion which was agreed to.
Committee appointed to draw up Loyal Address to be submitted to 1935 Synod.—The following Committee were appointed to draw up the Loyal Address for next year :—Revs. D. M. Macdonald, James Macleod, and D. J. Matheson.
Rev. D. Beaton moved that the following Committee be appointed to draw up a tribute to the late Rev. John Maclachlan :—Revs. M. Gillies, D. M. Macdonald, Finlay Macleod and R. Mackenzie with Rev. D. M. Macdonald as Convener. Rev. Jas. Macleod seconded the motion which was agreed to.
Rev. D. Beaton moved that the Synod meet in private at 5 p.m. to-morrow, Wednesday, and at 6.30 p.m. in public, within St. Jude’s Hall : further, that the Synod’s Business Committee meet in the same place on the same date at 10 a.m. Rev. N. Macintyre seconded this motion which was approved. The meeting was closed with praise and prayer.
SECOND SEDERUNT.
The Synod met again on Wednesday in public at 6.30 p.m. and was duly constituted.
History of the Church.—The Rev. D. Beaton reported that the Committee appointed by the Synod had finished its work and he suggested that the Committee be discontinued. The Rev. James Macleod moved that the Committee be thanked for its work and be now discontinued. Rev. John Colquhoun seconded. This was agreed to.
Model Clause.—The Rev. N. Macintyre reported that he had carried out the instructions of the Synod in consulting an expert in conveyancing law as to the clause “in all time coming” in the Model Clause required by the Church to be inserted in all feu-charters. He read a letter from Prof. Wedderburn, of Edinburgh University, on the subject. Professor Wedderburn gave as his opinion that it would be advisable to leave out, in the future, the words in question. Mr. Macintyre, accordingly, moved that : “The Synod having had submitted to them the advice of Professor Wedderburn, Edinburgh University, Conveyancing Lawyer, on the Church’s Model Clause, adopt the
same, and instruct their congregations that in future the words ‘in all time coming’ be omitted from the Model Clause when inserted in Title-Deeds.” This was seconded by the Rev. D. Beaton who said: “In regard to the phrase ‘in all time coming’ it had a long history. It was inserted in the Free Church Model Trust Deed drawn up in 1844 by a Committee of which Dr. Begg was Convener. It was passed as an Act (xviii.) by the Assembly of that year. In 1893 it was transferred to our Model Clause. It is now 90 years since it was inserted in the Free Church Model Trust Deed and nothing has happened since then in all the legal contentions in reference to property, as far as I am aware, to indicate in any way the incorrectness of the phrase but as there are doubts in the mind of some of the members of Synod as to its correctness it is better to act on the advice tendered us. This, of course, does not apply to feu charters in which the Model Clause is already inserted.”
Title Deeds of Church Properties.—In connection with the foregoing the Rev. N. Macintyre moved:—”1. The Synod instruct Moderators and Interim Moderators of Congregations to examine Title-Deeds of Church property (Churches, Meeting Houses, and Manses) as to whether the Model Clause is inserted in the Title-Deeds, and to report to their respective Presbyteries, at their earliest convenience, so that Clerks of Presbyteries may report to the 1935 Synod. 2. And, further, the Synod instruct said Moderators to state where Title-Deeds are kept.” This was seconded by the Rev. James Macleod and unanimously agreed to. Mr. James Fraser called attention to the question of Church property built on crofts. It was pointed out that this matter would probably be raised in connection with some of the reports which may be submitted at the 1935 Synod.
Loyal Address to the King.*—This Address was submitted by Rev. N. Macintyre. Its adoption was moved by Mr. Finlay Beaton and seconded by Rev. R. R. Sinclair and agreed to.
*This Address is printed on another page of the Magazine. All cross-headings marked with an asterisk indicate that the Reports will be found printed in this issue unless where, owing to pressure of space, they are held over to next issue.—Editor.
Training of the Ministry Report.*—This Report was submitted by the Rev. Ewen Macqueen who moved its adoption. This was seconded by Mr. Finlay Beaton and agreed to.
Theological Tutor’s Report.*—The Rev. D. A. Macfarlane, M.A., theological tutor, submitted this Report. The Rev. D. Beaton, in moving its adoption, said he had much pleasure in listening to his fellow tutor’s report. The field covered as indicated in the report was very extensive and it is only those who have gone over work of this kind who know the amount of study required to be able to communicate to others the knowledge thus gleaned. The Rev. Ewen Macqueen said he had pleasure in seconding the Report which was unanimously agreed to.
Annual Financial Statement.—The Annual Financial Statement was submitted by Mr. John Grant, General Treasurer. The contributions to the Sustentation Fund showed a slight decrease of £59 as compared with last year. The College Fund showed a balance of £6 7s. 5d. as compared with £106 17s. last year. The Aged and Infirm Ministers’, Widows’, and Orphans’ Fund showed a balance of £2208 5s 8d. as compared with £1836 1s. 11d. last year. Jewish and Foreign Missions Fund showed a balance of £1997 12s. 6d. as compared with £2405 16s. 5d. of last year. Organization Fund showed a balance of £113 15s. 10d. as compared with £53 17s. 7d. last year. Legacies amounted to £4547 13s. 11d. as compared with £96 last year. The General Treasurer pointed out that the funds were in a satisfactory state generally and where there were decreases in the balances it was due to special increased demands that had been made during last year which would not likely fall upon these funds this year.
Rev. N. Macintyre moved “that the Synod adopt the Financial Report and acknowledge the Lord’s goodness in supplying the material needs of ministers and missionaries during the past year; that the General Treasurer be thanked for his valuable services and also the Auditors, Messrs. John Fraser and James Campbell; that they be re-appointed for the current year; and that the Synod recommend anew to the liberality of our people the schemes of the Church, especially the Sustentation Fund, and order the Statement to be published in the Magazine.” “I think,” he said, “we have every reason to thank the Giver of All Good for His liberality and kindness in this respect. The late Mr. Macfarlane who often moved the adoption of this report used to say, ‘we came out without a penny’ and who could say 41 years ago that we should have a balance in round figures of £7,000.* Not only that but when we think of Mr. Macfarlane and Mr. Macdonald who were evicted from their property, and had not a place to go to, it is nothing short of marvellous when one thinks of all the churches and mission houses that have been erected since then. I would also like to say at this Court that we should, as ministers, thank our people for the great kindness which we meet with in all places we go.”
Mr. Kenneth Matheson in seconding the adoption of the Report said:—”I have great pleasure in seconding the adoption of the Financial Report. We have great cause of thankfulness to the Most High, as has already been said by Mr. Macintyre, that when the Lord removed our worthy fathers who are now in glory He has continued His kindness to us. The eye of the fathers was not on the bread box but on the glory of God. The Lord proves in many ways that this Financial Statement is indeed a miracle of grace and providence; the way in which the Lord has kept us up as a Church in providing for our ministers and missionaries since 1893 is wonderful.
*This does not include the amount allocated to the Sustentation Fund from Mr. Mackenzie’s Legacy.
There is no doubt at all if the Lord will bless us as a Church with the grace of faithfulness, with His glory alone in view, the purse of our General Treasurer will be full. When the gospel came with power of old there was a big collection with it and, as our dear late Mr. Macfarlane used to say: ‘When the gospel will go into the soul of a man, it will go into the purse also.’ We believe that none who stood by the testimony of 1893 can say they are poor because of what they gave to His cause. It is a privilege that we are asked to give to the cause of Christ. We are only asked by the gospel to give what we can for that cause. By giving to the cause of Christ in word and practice, and helping it we are doing what the Apostle Paul was recommending to the Church of Philippi; ‘Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.’ We have much cause to be in the dust because of the Lord’s goodness to us in His providence and that we are blessed with God-fearing ministers and missionaries, and we should do everything in our power to help. May the Lord continue that blessing in our Church and may we be found on our knees seeking that the Lord would keep us faithful as a Church.” Mr. James Fraser followed with a few remarks. “I have great pleasure,” he said, “in associating myself with what the mover and seconder said. There is just one thing I would like to point out, we should not be lax in any way and every congregation should make up their mind to be self-supporting. I would like to endorse what Mr. Macintyre has said that he has yet to meet any one who has lost anything by helping the cause. Perhaps in the North some congregations might do a little better than what they are doing.”
Finance Committee’s Report.—This Report was submitted by Rev. E. Macqueen who moved its adoption. Rev. R. Mackenzie: —“May I request that, for a technical reason, the adoption of the Report be deferred and taken up in private?” This request was acted on.
Foreign Mission Report.*—The Report of the Foreign Mission was submitted by the Rev. N. Macintyre who after reading it added:—”I wish, in the name of the Committee, to sincerely thank Mr. D. Grant of the Grant Educational Company, Union Street, Glasgow, for his gift to the South African Mission of 340 school readers, 288 jotters and exercises, 8 boxes of crayons and 8 boxes of rubbers. These gifts were most acceptable and were obtained through the good offices of Mr. H. S. Macgillivray, Dunoon. I also wish to thank the Drummond Tract Depot for their gift of books and Messrs. Adshead for a parcel of pencils. Mr. Macgillivray informed me that he had secured another lot of books from Mr. Grant and that he had also a revolving globe atlas of the world which he was sending out to Africa. I desire to, again, thank Mr. Grant for his great kindness. I also wish to thank Mr. Macgillivray for sending the gifts to our Mission.”
Rev. D. M. Macdonald in moving the adoption of the Report said: “I beg to move the adoption of the Report and I think it should give us great satisfaction that the Mission in Africa is making such progress. The figures read in the Report are really remarkable and show that the Most High is blessing abundantly our work out there. We are, I believe, getting some blessing ourselves; for, ‘bread cast upon the waters’ will come back in some form or other to those who cast forth the bread, and it is most encouraging to the Church, I think, to see from the Report that not only is the gospel blessed to the natives of Africa but our work there appears to be appreciated by the Government of Rhodesia. They know very well that the Free Presbyterian Church is doing excellent work among the natives. I have pleasure in moving the adoption of the Report.” Mr. M. Macaskill seconded.
Thanks of Synod tendered to Mr. D. Grant.—The Rev. D. J. Matheson moved that the Clerk of Synod with Rev. N. Macintyre, Convener of the Foreign Mission Committee call on Mr. Grant to thank him for the books and other useful gifts which he has given for the South African Mission. Rev. A. Beaton seconded.
Rev. John Tallach’s Report.*—The Report was read by Rev. N. Macintyre in Mr. Tallach’s absence. The Rev. W. Grant, in moving its adoption said :—“ I have much pleasure in moving the adoption of Mr. Tallach’s interesting Report. He concludes with the words :—‘ They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this. This is our one reason for being in this part of the world and the one reason that the Church ought to have in keeping us here.’ We have not sent missionaries to Africa merely to educate the natives. Education is as a handmaid to the preaching of the gospel and all that takes place there is to the end that the natives will come under the blessings of the everlasting gospel. I believe that that is where many missions fail to-day. They give a place to education higher than the preaching of the gospel and, in consequence, there is failure. We are not in that danger in Africa and I hope that it will never come to that. It is the gospel that we desire to be sent to the natives there.” Mr. James Fraser seconded and the adoption of the Report was agreed to.
Dr. Macdonald’s Report.*—After this Report was read the Rev. E. Macqueen moved its adoption and Rev. D. J. Matheson seconded.
Grants to the South African Mission.—The Rev. N. Macintyre moved :—“ That the usual grants be made to the Mission :—£10 for the boy acting as nurse in the hospital; £10 to Paul Hlazo; £20 for the Hospital; £10 for medicine, and £30 for upkeep of Mission.” Rev. A. Beaton seconded.
Miss Nicolson’s Report.*—After the Report was read Dr. J. M. Johnston, in moving its adoption, said :—“ I beg to move the adoption of this Report. On reading it one is struck, on the one hand, with a sense of appreciation of what Mr. Tallach and Dr. Macdonald had to face when, in addition to their pastoral duties, they had the education of the native children to deal with. On the other hand, Miss Nicolson’s Report bears a maturity of thought and a practical grasp of the situation
which might be expected, not from a young recruit, but from a seasoned veteran. I would point out that this educative work in its proper place is a great step in the gospel service. You will notice how Mr. Tallach and Miss Nicolson, each in their special sphere, have run in parallel lines in concentrating on the future mothers of the native race. In any country the mother in the home is always the potent factor in family life. I desire also to draw attention to two items in this Report which should be useful in shaping our policy in the Foreign Mission field, viz.:—(i.) instruction in diet and personal cleanliness; (ii.) the introduction of practical industrial and craft work of a kind, which, by its extension in the right direction, will tend to make this Mission in some measure self-supporting. Miss Nicolson in a few short months has actually blazed a trail on the path the Church should follow in the matter of education.”
Rev. R. Mackenzie, in seconding the Report, said:—“I am specially anxious to second this report. I have been struck in hearing the reports of Mr. Tallach, Dr. Macdonald and Miss Nicolson by the fact that they have evidently, from design, confined themselves to one aspect of their work, i.e., the congenial and the joyful aspect. They have said not one word about their hardships and difficulties, and I think I should say—as one who has visited the field myself and has seen what they have to contend with—in order to avoid a possible misunderstanding, that it is not all joy out in Africa. They have undoubtedly a great measure of joy in the success of the work, and I think their intention, in devoting themselves to this side in the reports, is to share as much as they can their joy with the Home Church, with those who are supporting them to bear the burdens. This is a creditable thing in Missionaries. If I had time I could narrate certain of their difficulties and hardships, but it is sufficient to say that they have all kept on one and the same path, and we should see in that the more reason why we should back them up and specially bear them on our spirits at a throne of grace.”
Mr. James Fraser, in supporting the motion, said:—”I would like to associate myself with some of the remarks made. I have been out in that country myself and there is a dark side. I would not like to discourage anybody from going out there, but to most of our young ladies a Kaffir Kraal or Matabele hut would be hard to stand, besides having to work there and train these people. We have no idea of the dark side in this country and of what these people have to face who have offered themselves to train the natives in cleanliness and other things. I want to associate myself with what has been said on that point.”
Rev. Donald Urquhart’s Report.*—After the Report was read the Rev. W. Grant, in moving its adoption, said:—”I have much pleasure in moving the adoption of Mr. Urquhart’s report, and I would express the hope that he will receive every encouragement in his difficult mission to the Jews. Mr. Urquhart and all the Missionaries should be remembered in prayer in secret and in public. Events are moving mysteriously all over the world to-day and, particularly, in relation to the Jews. They have been under the calamity which overtook them 1900 years ago when they said: ‘His blood be upon our heads and on our children,’ but there is another day coming which shall be as ‘life from the dead’ to the Gentile world, and, remembering of Dr. ‘Rabbi’ Duncan’s and Mr. Murray McCheyne’s zeal for the conversion of the Jews, let us pray for them and remember Mr. Urquhart in his difficult work among them.”
Rev. R. R. Sinclair, in seconding the adoption of this Report, said:—”There is one thing very specially before my mind with reference to an aspect of the Jewish question as it affects our own nation. Our nation is very clearly a backsliding nation and the Jews, in our midst as a people, are largely at the root of much Sabbath desecration in connection with varied commercial enterprises. Let these two things be as they may, yet there is a feature in connection with our relationship as a nation to the Jews; that we, among the nations of
the world, are to be commended in that we appear to have no hand in the least endeavour to persecute the Jews or oppress them. You have the Hitler Government to-day in Germany, and every one of us knows the diabolical, unscriptural, and anti-Christian methods of the Hitler Government in persecuting the Jew. Over against this, our own Government seem to be favouring the Jew and favouring Palestine, from time to time even giving monetary grants for their aid; and I may say that this is one redeeming feature in connection with our own nation.”
Huts for South African Mission.—The Rev. N. Macintyre, in calling the Synod’s attention to the reference made in Mr. Tallach’s Report to huts that require to be built, said:—”I think it is better that Mr. Tallach should have the authority of the Synod in building these huts. Therefore, ‘I beg to move that the Jewish and Foreign Missions Committee will have the authority of the Synod in building these huts that are necessary.'” Rev. D. A. Macfarlane seconded and this was agreed to.
The Clerk then moved that the Synod meet in private to-morrow at 4 o’clock and in public at 6.30 p.m., and that the Members of Synod meet as a Business Committee to-morrow at 10 o’clock. Rev. James Macleod seconded. The meeting was closed with devotional exercises.
THIRD SEDERUNT.
The Synod met on Thursday according to terms of adjournment in public at 6.30 p.m. and was duly constituted. The first business dealt with was the Report of the Committee appointed to draw up Regulations for Students. These regulations had been gone over thoroughly in the Business Committee and one or two slight changes made.
Adoption of Regulations for the Reception and Training of Students for the Ministry.—The Rev. D. Beaton suggested as these Regulations had been already read and carefully considered that they might be taken as read. This was agreed to by the
Synod. The Rev. Ewen Macqueen then moved and the Rev. D. Macleod seconded that :—“ The Synod adopt the Regulations for the Reception and Training of Students for the Ministry submitted in draft by the Committee and as now revised and declare that their provisions shall come into force herewith in the case of students who shall make application, or shall be received after 28th May, 1934, with the exception of the sections dealing with applicants and University students. The regulations shall not be applicable to students at present in training.”
Appointment of Board of Examiners.—In connection with the foregoing Regulations the Rev. E. Macqueen moved that :—“ The Synod appoint the theological tutors and the Revs. R. Mackenzie, D. M. Macdonald and James Macleod as a Board of Examiners in accordance with Section 4 of the Regulations for the Reception and Training of Students for the Ministry.” This was seconded by the Rev. N. Macintyre and agreed to.
Printing of the Regulations.—The Rev. James Macleod moved that the Synod thank the Committee for their labours and that copies of the Regulations be printed for the use of Presbyteries and students. Rev. D. M. Macdonald seconded. Rev. N. Macintyre moved that 200 copies of the Regulations be printed for the use of students. Rev. James Macleod seconded.
Report on Religion and Morals.*—This Report was submitted by Rev. D. M. Macdonald who also moved its adoption. The motion was seconded by Mr. Alexander Macdougall and agreed to.
Clerk of Synod and Successor in Office Appointed one of the General Trustees.—The Rev. N. Macintyre moved that the Clerk of Synod and his successor in office be appointed one of the General Trustees. Rev. E. Macqueen seconded. This was agreed to.
Protest against Naval Salutes for the Pope.—In connection with the Naval Salutes for the Pope the Rev. W. Grant said :—“ Reference was made in the Loyal Address to the King to
‘Naval Salutes for the Pope.’ The Church of Rome has never ceased to demand submission to the Roman See and we are gradually surrendering to that demand. Protestant Britain has now actually instructed its Navy to honour the Pope and his representatives with a Naval Salute of twenty-one guns. Even the Union Jack is becoming subordinated to the Papal flag. The Vatican has ever been a centre of political intrigue and, if it could, it would turn all the guns of Europe against this country to bring it down. The Vatican Dictator, the Man of Sin, may be left in the judgment of God to be a rod upon the back of this country. I beg to move that the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland calls upon the Government to cancel the King’s Regulations and Admiralty Instructions directing Naval Salutes to be given to the Pope. The British Constitution forbids any recognition of the Pope’s claim to sovereignty in the Bill of Rights in the matter of communion with the See of Rome. The Synod also calls upon all Protestant representatives of the British Government and respectfully requests that the Envoy to the Vatican be recalled.” Rev. J. Colquhoun seconded and wished to be associated with the remarks of the mover.
Mixed Marriage Question.—The Rev. W. Grant said:—“Reference was made in the Report on Religion and Morals to the Ne Temere Decree, or Mixed Marriage question. Marriage has been exalted by the Church of Rome into a sacrament and thereby control is claimed over that institution on which human society is founded. In Canada and New Zealand if a priest states that a Protestant and a Roman Catholic, married by a Protestant minister, are not legally married, he is liable to a fine of £100; but, why should we in this country tolerate priestly organisations? We are entitled to have legislation to protect our people against that, and ‘I beg to move that the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland calls upon the Government to bring in legislation against the operation of the Ne Temere Decree.’ This Papal Decree places Canon
Law against Civil Law. It brings the greatest injustice into the lives of many.” Mr. Finlay Beaton seconded.
Canadian and Colonial Committee’s Report.*—This Report was submitted by the Rev. E. Macqueen who also moved its adoption. The Rev. James Macleod seconded the motion which was agreed to.
Report by the Deputy to Canada and the United States.*—This Report was submitted by the Rev. F. Macleod. The Rev. E. Macqueen, in moving its adoption, said:—”I have much pleasure in moving the adoption. To me, and I believe to all who visited those parts, it is a most interesting report. All the stations mentioned, and the people mentioned by Mr. Macleod in his report, are known to me and to some of the other ministers also.” If it could be that a minister would be placed there, or more than one minister, it would be our desire that that should be the case, so that we would not need to be sending out men every now and again but that there would be a man, or men there, to take charge of the work in that big country.” Rev. D. A. Macfarlane, in seconding, said:—”I have very much pleasure in seconding Mr. Macqueen’s motion. Indeed the main reason why I rise is that there is a suggestion in the Report as to advertising in the Magazine about communions in Vancouver and Winnipeg. I hope that suggestion will just be carefully noted by Mr. Beaton and attended to.” Mr. Beaton pointed out that dates of communions in Canada were always inserted in the Magazine when received in time but in cases where the notice was received a day after the Magazine had gone to press it was useless in certain cases to insert the date in the next issue as it would be too late to be of any use to those interested. Deputies should keep in mind that in sending the date of say, the communion in Vancouver, it required to be sent about two months in advance owing to the time taken by mail (unless by air mail) and the reception of the Magazine by those interested. If such notices were
received only one day late it would extend the time to considerably over two months.
Detroit.—The Rev. F. Macleod said:—”I would like to bring before the Synod the case of Detroit. The reason why I did not bring forward a motion is that Mr. Mackenzie said that I could not do so without having definite word that Detroit was wanting a minister. I may say that there is a large congregation of young people in Detroit. I feel that they are only being supplied, say six Sabbaths in the whole year. That was all I was able to give. I asked Mr. Mackenzie, our Treasurer there, and he said that he would let Mr. Macfarlane, as Clerk of the Canadian and Colonial Mission Committee, know what they could do about July or August. What they wanted was that a minister would be sent out in September and remain with them for three months, or perhaps more. I think that there is one, at least, who is quite willing to go if Mr. Mackenzie, Detroit, should think that a minister should be sent. This congregation is able to meet the outlay financially.”
Report of the Examiners of Synod and Presbytery Records.—Revs. J. Macleod and R. Mackenzie examined the Outer Isles Presbytery Records and found them all correct. Revs. D. M. Macdonald and N. Macintyre examined the Synod Records and found them in order. Rev. M. Gillies examined the records of the Western Presbytery and found them in very good order. Revs. D. Macleod and A. Beaton examined the Northern Presbytery Records and found them in good order. Rev. D. A. Macfarlane examined the Records of the Southern Presbytery and found them all in order.
Editor of Magazine’s Report.*—This Report was submitted by the Rev. D. Beaton who moved its adoption. The motion was seconded by Dr. Johnston and agreed to.
Magazine Financial Year.—Mr. Beaton reported that the Finance Committee suggested that the Magazine Financial Year
end on 31st March instead of 30th April as at present. The Magazine Committee were quite agreeable to the change for though it would cause a slight dislocation for this year matters would adjust themselves for next year. The Rev. William Grant moved that the Magazine Financial Year end 31st March. This was seconded by the Rev. Finlay Macleod and agreed to.
Report of Fishing Stations Committee.*—This Report was submitted by the Rev. M. Gillies who moved the adoption of the same. Mr. Kenneth Matheson, in seconding, said:—”That the Lord of us hath mindful been in spreading the gospel, and also to our fishermen, many of whom have been blessed with the fear of God. We should follow them with our prayers and seek that His Kingdom would come on sea and land, if such a day is in the purposes of God.”
Standing Church Committees.—The Rev. R. R. Sinclair moved and Rev. D. Macleod seconded that the following Committees be appointed:—
Church Interests Committee—The Moderator, Synod Clerk and Clerks of the four Presbyteries.
Religion and Morals—Revs. D. M. Macdonald (Convener), D. A. Macfarlane, William Grant and John Colquhoun.
Finance Committee—Revs. Ewen Macqueen (Convener), N. Macintyre, M. Gillies, A. Beaton and the representative Elders of Inverness and Dingwall. Mr. John Grant, General Treasurer, to be associated with the Committee.
Canadian and Colonial Mission Committee—Revs. D. A. Macfarlane, W. Grant, Finlay Macleod, D. J. Matheson and R. R. Sinclair.
Jewish and Foreign Missions Committee—Revs. Neil Macintyre (Convener), James Macleod, Roderick Mackenzie, with their representative Elders.
Training of the Ministry Committee—Revs. D. M. Macdonald (Convener), Finlay Macleod and R. R. Sinclair.
Church Magazine Committee—Rev. D. Beaton (Convener), with Clerks of the four Presbyteries.
General Trustees—The Clerk of Synod, with Clerks of the four Presbyteries. The Rev. N. Macintyre, Convener, of the Jewish and Foreign Missions Committee, was added to the General Trustees on the motion of the Rev. D. Beaton, seconded by the Rev. M. Gillies, the Synod having agreed to the appointment of the Clerk of Synod and his successor in office as one of the General Trustees, on the motion of the Rev. N. Macintyre, seconded by the Rev. E. Macqueen. The Synod had also agreed to his being appointed Convener on the motion of Rev. D. Beaton, seconded by the Rev. R. R. Sinclair.
Church Collections.—It was moved by the Rev. James Macleod and seconded by the Rev. D. M. Macdonald 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. E. Macqueen. 2. College Fund in August—notice to be sent by the Rev. D. M. Macdonald. 3. Organization Fund in September—notice to be sent by the Rev. D. Beaton. 4. Home Mission Fund (Missionaries and Catechists), first collection in October—notice to be sent by Rev. E. Macqueen. 5. General Church Building Fund in December—notice to be sent by Rev. D. Beaton. 6. Home Mission Fund (second collection) in April, 1935—notice to be sent by Rev. E. Macqueen.
Tribute to Rev. John Maclachlan, North Uist.*—The Committee appointed to draw up a tribute to the late Rev. John Maclachlan submitted their Report. The Rev. E. Macqueen moved the adoption of this tribute and also that the Committee who drew it up be thanked; that it be published in an early issue of the Magazine and entered on the Records of the Synod also. This was seconded by the Rev. James Macleod and agreed to.
The Synod then met in private. At this meeting the following motion was agreed to :—
Licensing and Ordination of Mr. John P. Macqueen.—The Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved that Mr. John P. Macqueen be licensed by the Southern Presbytery and thereafter be ordained by them as the Church’s missionary to the stations in the U.S.A. and in Canada and also in Australia. This was seconded by the Rev. James Macleod and agreed to.
The business taken up at the meetings of Synod on Friday and Saturday was mainly of a private nature. The following items, however, are of general interest:—
Bonus to Ministers and Missionaries.—It was moved, seconded and agreed to, that £20 bonus in addition to that received last year be given to ministers. Rev. W. Grant offered objection to this proposal but did not dissent. £5 bonus was given to all missionaries for 1934-5.
Bonus to Widows.—The Synod decided that £10 be given to Widows for year 1934-35.
Allocation of the late Mr. Mackenzie’s Legacy.—The Synod decided on the following allocation: £2422 14s. 4d. to the Sustentation Fund; £1000 to the Jewish and Foreign Missions Fund; £450 to the College Fund; £50 to the Organization Fund; £75 to the General Building Fund; £25 (with interest accruing on the whole sum) to the Ministers’, Widows’, and Orphans’ Fund.
Motion re Sabbath Newspapers and Papers Printed on Sabbath.—The Synod exhort and admonish our people that they do not countenance or encourage the production or sale of Sabbath newspapers or of newspapers which can only be published on Monday morning as the result of Sabbath labour. In the view of the Synod, it is clear that there can be no necessity for Sabbath or Monday morning newspapers whose publication and distribution make it inevitable that many of our fellows work on the Sabbath Day. The Synod feel that when this fact is appreciated no one with conscience toward God and love to the Lord Jesus Christ will knowingly help to maintain such conditions of labour under which commercial gain is valued higher than the glory of the Lord and the holiness of His Day.
The Synod decided to meet again (D.V.) at Inverness, in the Free Presbyterian Church there, on Tuesday after the 3rd Sabbath of May, 1935, at 6.30 p.m.