Activities of Roman Catholic Church in Erection of Buildings.
Throughout the country magnificent schools and places of worship are being erected by Roman Catholics. Where is the money coming from? No doubt a considerable part from Protestant ratepayers who are quietly paying the education rate assessed under the notorious 1918 Education (Scotland) Act. Last month a new place of worship was opened at Mallaig. In a cavity in the foundation stone there was placed an inscription written in Gaelic and Latin. The inscription as translated into English reads: “To promote the worship of Almighty God and to meet the convenience of the people of “Blessed Morar” faithful to the gospel of Christ since its first acceptance amongst them . . . . dedicated at the pious instance of an outstanding patron to the Scottish Apostle of Ireland, St. Patrick.” By way of comment we unhesitatingly deny that the building was erected to promote the worship of Almighty God neither is it the case in receiving the Romish faith that the people of “blessed Morar” received the gospel of Christ. And how, we ask, does the Church of Rome claim Patrick?
Mr. Brider’s Gospel Book Mission to the Army and Navy.
Mr. Brider has sent us his annual report and in reading it one feels that Mr. Brider has uphill work in carrying on this excellent Mission. Many of those who used to contribute liberally of their means are no longer here. Added to this Mr. Brider has been stricken with a dangerous and weakening illness but as his strength returned a little he took up his beloved work again. Mr. Brider, as we have mentioned before has no private means and is entirely dependent upon gifts from friends as he does not take anything from the funds contributed to the Mission. We are sure our readers interested in this work will not forget our friend and his Mission.
The Greek Church.
In connection with Princess Marina’s marriage and the ceremony according to the Greek Church conducted in the private chapel in Buckingham Palace after the ceremony in Westminster Abbey we have been asked what the Greek Church really stands for. This is rather a big question to be answered in a short space. Generally speaking it may be said that while the Greek Church rejects the supremacy of the Pope it is very corrupt in doctrine and unscriptural in practice. It holds that original sin is not voluntary and therefore not true sin; infants are guiltless; the human will takes the initiative in regeneration but needs divine assistance (Semi-Pelagianism); that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and not from the Son, etc.
It is regrettable that the young Princess, at this important step in her life, should have given this public recognition to the Greek Church. In saying this we are not forgetful, of course, of the glaring corruptions of the Church of England but the ceremony in the chapel of Buckingham Palace seemed to say that the marriage, though duly solemnised in accordance with English law, was not altogether complete without being also solemnised in accordance with the rites of the Greek Church.
The Clarsach (Harp) in the Church.
Is the clarsach to have a place in the instrumental music of the Church? If one is to believe the statements of an article which appeared recently in a Glasgow weekly it is eminently suited for such a purpose. It has been used on more than one occasion in churches by a lady who was interviewed by a correspondent of the foregoing paper. The lady has a sub-conscious feeling that clarsach playing in divine worship is out of keeping with the fitness of things but soothes her conscience by quoting the words of the 98th Psalm—”Sing unto the Lord with harp.” It would be as appropriate to quote Ps. 150, 4 in proof of the scripturalness of dancing in New Testament worship as to quote Ps. 98 in defence of clarsach playing in the church. The New Testament Church has passed from these instruments
and a return to them is indicative of a retrograde movement that has carnality written broadly across it. No one can forecast where the urge behind this resuscitation of Celtic culture will lead its votaries.
Martyrs or Traitors?
The Protestant Truth Society (31 Cannon Street, London, E.C.4) has published a very useful pamphlet under the above title. It deals with the question as to whether the Roman Catholics put to death in Queen Elizabeth’s reign were martyrs for their faith or traitors to the commonwealth of England. The writer, Mr. A. W. Martin, has no difficulty in showing that these Roman Catholics were put to death as traitors to their Queen. The price of the pamphlet is two pence.
Sabbath Delivery of Parcels.
The public press announced that it was the intention of the Post Office authorities in Scotland to arrange for a delivery of parcels and packets in the large towns on Sabbath, 23rd December, as an experiment. This is one of the devil’s experiments with which, as a generation we are constantly being treated. Surely the Post Office authorities cannot advance even the worked-to-death plea—necessity—to cover this new attack on the sanctity of the Lord’s Day. Are there not thousands of educated and intelligent men among the unemployed who would be only too glad to get a job on the 24th to push through the heavy mails? It is encouraging to know that this attempt to introduce the thin edge of the wedge has met with strong protests from certain quarters.