The Reid Memorial Church, Edinburgh.
This magnificent building was recently opened and dedicated by ceremonies that had a very un-Presbyterian appearance about them. The correspondent of one of the leading Scottish dailies in reporting the proceedings makes the following comment on the interior furnishings: “Although they are related to what may quite respectfully be called the brighter movement in the Church of Scotland have an undeniably Episcopalian atmosphere.” The ceremony of opening the door and handing over the key to the Moderator of the Presbytery which was carried ceremoniously on a velvet cushion and deposited on the Communion or Holy Table as it is called. At one part of the service there were responses. Prior to the service, says the newspaper report, the Presbytery held a meeting so that the above proceedings took place in their presence. For some time it looked like that no congregation would be found to take possession of this magnificent building but at length the High Church congregation at The Mound welcomed the suggestion that it be transferred to the new building. It is regrettable that the two movements in the Church of Scotland—Ritualism and Modernism—should have so many supporters in a Church which claims, though we believe wrongly, to be the historic Church of Scotland.
Dr. Whitelaw’s Apology for the Railways’ Sabbath-breaking Policy.
Dr. Whitelaw, Chairman of the L. N. E. R. and a prominent layman in the Church of Scotland has recently been making an effort to defend the Railways for their open Sabbath-breaking policy. It seems, according to Dr. Whitelaw, that the Railways are not the great sinners that most people consider them to be in this matter. Their hands were forced by public demands. Dr. Whitelaw must think the British public a lot of gullible fools when he offers such an apology. What is the meaning of the greatly reduced fares for Sabbath excursions with the other baits dangled before the eyes of the public to get them to travel on the Lord’s Day? The Railways created the demand, tempting the careless multitude, and are responsible for a policy that had commercial gain for its end from their standpoint and not the good of the masses. One marvels that a man of Dr. Whitelaw’s acknowledged business acumen would ever bring forward such an apology for this God-dishonouring policy. It reminds one of Aaron’s apology to Moses: “Let not the anger of my Lord wax hot: thou knowest this people, that they are set on mischief. For they said unto me, make us gods, which shall go before us: for, as for, this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what has become of him. And I said unto them, whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me; then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf” (Exod. xxxii. 22-24). Was there ever such a weak excuse offered for, flagrant and daring wrong-doing unless it be Dr. Whitelaw’s? It is a weakness that approaches perilously near sheer imbecility and, which is worse, a weakness that is culpable.
Increasing Observance of Christmas in Scotland.
As our last issue was passing through the press, Presbyterian Scotland was succumbing more and more to the religious observance of Christmas. We can understand how Roman Catholics and High Church Episcopalians with their unscriptural views should lay so much stress on this man-invented festival, but for Presbyterians, with any knowledge of the history of the contentions of the Church of Scotland at the First and Second Reformations when these festivals or holidays such as Christmas and Easter were banished from the calendar, to introduce their observance again is incredible. In a number of Presbyterian Churches, services were held on Christmas day while in a greater number Christmas services were held on the following Sabbath. The newspaper world ceased publication for the day, which in itself was no great calamity, but it is significant to note that it does not act similarly in keeping God’s Day according to His command. Quite a number of letters appeared in the press commenting on the “great scandal” of the non-observance of this festival in Scotland in the past. We trust the scandal will become greater still and that the observance of Christmas with its pagan concomitants will become more and more rare in Presbyterian Scotland. Let our young people not be ashamed in standing aloof from the gay festivities and religious observances so much indulged in at this period of the year.
Oberammergau.
A few years ago we called attention to a descriptive article of this Christ-dishonouring play which appeared in the organ of the Church of Scotland Life and Work. Our comment then was: “How Protestants can patronise such a play where the dread scenes of Gethsemane and Calvary are enacted is beyond our comprehension. Rome is getting her work done for her in quarters where other things might be expected.” Sometime ago a lecture illustrated with lime-light views was given in Dunollie Road Church of Scotland, Oban. The minister and choir were present and a large gathering to hear the lecture. This play is now largely advertised but it does seem strange that it should be so by Presbyterians. Great stress is laid on the solemnity with which the play is acted but surely no reverent mind could bear the enactment of scenes by sinful men of the most awful and solemn transactions that ever took place in time.
St. Ninian’s Retreat, Lassodie, Dunfermline.
A friend has sent us a marked copy of the Catholic (Dublin) with an article headed as above and written by Mr. Walter Allen. Mr. Allen says: “We dislike these popish imitations and eccentricities. All these places of Retreat saviour and smell strongly of Popery.” He then tells of a picture on one of the walls of the Retreat which was dedicated on 19th September. A week previous to this two visitors were shown the picture and they satisfied themselves that it was as Jacob Primmer would have pronounced it to be of rank Popery. On the day of dedication one of the above visitors, accompanied by a Baptist friend was refused admission. Mr. Allen has also other serious things to say about the Retreat. The Warden is the Rev. D. P. Thomson, formerly Church of Scotland minister of the Gillespie Memorial Church, Dunfermline, with Rev. J. T. Stewart, Townhill, Dunfermline, as sub-warden. Mr. Stewart’s church was formerly Rev. Jacob Primmer’s.
Inverness Police Ball.
Considerable criticism has been passed on the Inverness Magistrates for granting a special permit to the promoters of the local police ball (23rd January). Strong protests were made by the Church of Scotland Presbytery of Inverness, and the kirk-sessions of the Free Presbyterian, the Free North and St. Columba’s Churches calling upon the magistrates to rescind the permission given. But the magistrates unanimously, according to the newspaper report, refused to rescind their permit. The ball referred to was held on the eve of the Sacramental Fast Day (23rd and 24th January). This is not the first time the Inverness magistrates have set themselves against a large number of the religious public by their decisions. Unfortunately they get too many to encourage them.
The Royal Marriage Service at Westminster Abbey.
Mr. Lionel Fowler, Secretary of the Protestant Alliance, London, has addressed letters to His Majesty, the King, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Prime Minister, pointing out that the office for the solemnization of marriage used at the Royal Wedding included parts of the Rejected Prayer Book of 1928. The Archbishop, in his reply, said that the form followed the precedent of that used at the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of York. We are not supporters of the Prayer Book nor of the Anglican Marriage Service as presently in use but to set the latter aside for one that has been rejected by Parliament, taken with the Greek Church Service in the Chapel of Buckingham Palace, makes one wonder what influence was working behind all this.