What does it mean?—In the Ross-shire Journal (Dingwall) of 17th May there is a news paragraph in which reference is made to a united thanksgiving service in connection with the King’s Silver Jubilee held in the Fearn Free Church of which the Rev. George Mackay is minister. The Rev. D. Campbell, Fearn Church of Scotland read the Scriptures, while Rev. J. L. MacFadden, Fearn Abbey, prayed and Rev. George Mackay preached. At the conclusion of the service “God Save the King” was sung. The united choirs of the two churches led the praise. The centre of the Church was occupied by the 1st and 2nd Fearn Companies of Girl Guides, 2nd Fearn Boy Scouts, ex-Servicemen of Fearn Parish and District Councillors. When Mr. Mackay left us it is reported that he informed some of his old flock in Stornoway that he was going across to the Free Church to make a bridge between the two Churches. He seems to be still a theoretical bridge-builder judging from the report of this thanksgiving service. The same paper though of a different date has another paragraph on the Sale of Work of Dingwall Free Church at which Rev. R. A. Finlayson presided in the absence of Rev. Norman Campbell. The sale was opened by the Countess of Cromartie to whom he paid a compliment for her literary gifts. This is followed up by a paragraph in the North Star that Mr. Finlayson, Urray, Chaplain to the Lovat Scouts requested a concert party from Dingwall to give an entertainment to the Scouts. In a letter to Mr. Souther, Rev. R. Finlayson wrote: “Our Commanding Officer, the Earl of Leven and Melville, wishes me to convey his apology for absence from your happy gathering the other evening. In the opinion of most it has been the best entertainment we have had for many years, and I hope your party were none the worse for their strenuous work and late hours.” Comment is needless.
Anti-Romanism in Edinburgh.—The Eucharistic Congress held in Edinburgh in June stirred up considerable feeling in
the City. Without committing ourselves to some of the methods used to give expression to that feeling there can be no doubt that there are many in the City who are quite determined that Romanism will have to be less aggressive if there is to be peace. The Roman Catholic Archbishop has spoken of the insults heaped upon the Roman Catholic Clergy but he should lay the blame on the right shoulders. The Church of Rome was getting bolder and bolder each year and at last thought she could do anything she pleased in this land. We hope that, unless smitten with colour blindness, she will recognize the red signal of danger in these happenings in Edinburgh during recent months.
No Games on Sabbath in the Public Parks of Glasgow.
—Our readers, we are sure, would have been highly gratified in learning that games in the Public Parks owned by Glasgow Corporation were not to be allowed on the Sabbath. As these Parks were in three Counties—Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, and Dumbartonshire, the Sheriffs of these Counties were called upon to adjudicate on the case. Our gratification, however, was somewhat dampened by Sheriff-Principal Mercer’s statement that the contention of the Church of Scotland’s counsel that the proposed change was contrary to the law of Scotland was not well founded. Unless we have misread his meaning his decision was founded on the illegality of the procedure of the Corporation more than on its being contrary to Scottish law. The Sheriff of Dumbartonshire, in supporting the above decision, added that as the inhabitants of Dumbartonshire had not the medium of the ballot box as the citizens of Glasgow had, he was not prepared to sanction such an innovation which, as the opposition showed, was obnoxious to the inhabitants. The above decision does not militate against the right of the citizens of Glasgow, according to Sheriff-Principal Mercer, to say whether they will have games on the Sabbath in their Public Parks or not. If a vote is taken it is to be hoped Glasgow will show a lead in the right direction.