Spain.—The fierce struggle is still going on in Spain. Like all Civil Wars it is of a very bloody nature and is awakening the worst passions of our fallen nature. The British press is divided in its sympathies and it is difficult to get unbiased accounts. At present the insurgents or the Franco party are making progress. They belong to the Fascist wing in world politics and are supporters of the Church of Rome. The Government party belong to the Socialists and include the Reds in this struggle—indeed it is said that the driving power on the Government side is coming from the Reds—they of course are strongly opposed to the Church of Rome. It has been said in the favour of the Government party that they represent the democracy of Spain. That, of itself, is no reason to say that they are right. The world powers are evidently arranging themselves into two camps—Fascism and Sovietism and there
is bound to be a clash some day. The present attitude of Russia towards the Spanish Government cause is a portent of the deepest significance and to which it would be folly to shut our eyes.
Serious Condition of Things in Palestine.—At the time of writing this note the condition of things in Palestine are of a grave nature. The British military forces in the Country have taken over the management of affairs as it is seen that a firm hand is required to put down the disturbances between the Arabs and the Jews. Already since these disturbances began a considerable number of lives have been lost, including a number of soldiers. Britain’s management of the mandated territory has been rather severely criticised at Geneva and a demand made that an inquiry should be instituted into the whole matter. It is an unfortunate situation but it is always easy to criticise and all the more so when the critic is not face to face with the difficulties of the situation. Since the former part of this note was written an official communication announces that quietness has been restored.
“Pin-Pricking Criticism” of Roman Catholicism.—These words were used by the Rev. T. F. Harkness Graham, who was applauded at the monthly meeting of the Hamilton Presbytery when he used them. The criticism was aimed at the Rev. F. E. Watson, Bellshill, and other members of the Court. He further added: “There is little to be gained by this constant criticism of Roman Catholics. After all there is only one religion in this world which is worth fighting for, and it is neither Protestant or Roman Catholic.” Mr. Graham did not enlighten the Presbytery as to what this religion is: probably it was the religion of the Rev. T. F. Harkness Graham. The cause of this unwise and disloyal speech to our common Protestantism was a motion brought forward by Rev. F. E. Watson. Mr. Watson’s proposal was that the Presbytery should communicate with the Committee of the Council on Education in Scotland for the purpose of obtaining information respecting the use of transferred schools by the Scottish Episcopal and Roman Catholic Churches,
and with the object of ascertaining (1) what rights and privileges were conferred by the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918; (2) what payment, if any, was made by the authorities of these churches to public funds; (3) what amount, if any, was paid to Lanark County Council, or to public authorities in Scotland; and (4) if any payment was made, what form did it take? An amendment by the Rev. Dr. A. Andrew, Baillieston, that the course suggested by Mr. Watson was inadvisable in view of the Assembly inquiry into R.C. Education costs, was carried. We hope the Assembly’s inquiry will be thorough and if so we are sure it will be an eye-opener to many sound Protestants of the extent to which they are helping the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church these last 18 years back.
The Jews in Poland.—The situation in Poland is becoming more threatening, says The Hebrew Christian. An official communiqué has been issued advocating Jewish emigration from Poland. Following this the Polish Foreign Office has issued a statement which has alarmed the Jews pointing out that the number of Jews who must emigrate reach 100,000. The Polish Foreign Office is now at work to formulate a scheme to put this plan in operation. The Hebrew Christian asks where are they to go? And what country is prepared to receive them. From the same source we learn that the Jews in their trouble “are flocking in ever increasing numbers to listen to the Christian message.”
World Jewish Population.—The Jewish population of the world is reckoned at 16,291,000 as compared with 4,200,000 in 1850. The Jewish population of Great Britain according to the survey made by the noted Jewish statistician, Dr. Erwin Rawicz, is 340,000. In Germany the population is 400,000 as compared with an estimated 550,000 at the time of Hitler’s advent to power. Palestine is estimated to have a Jewish population of 395,000 in 1935. Europe has a Jewish population of 9,736,000 (including Russia and Turkey in Asia); there are 560,000 in Africa; 936,000 in Asia; 5,031,000 in North and South America; and 27,000 in Australia and New Zealand.
The Presbyterian Church of America.—The newly formed denomination has been taken into the law courts by the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. for using the above name. We make no comment meantime on this action of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. The controversy has a regrettable element as the conservative forces are split and the breach evidently is widening and as is usual in such cases strong things are being said on either side. The apologists for the new denomination are charging the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. with being an apostate Church, that it is hopelessly corrupt, and that it is a sin to remain in it any longer. Dr. Samuel G. Craig, Editor of Christianity Today challenges the accuracy of this charge. He, as one of the leading conservatives remaining in the Church, maintains that the above charge is bearing false witness against that Church. At the same time he candidly admits that “Modernism, indifferentism, and bureaucracy are rampant in its councils and boards and must needs be firmly opposed by all who value their Presbyterian heritage. Reform is imperatively needed and every true Presbyterian should gird himself for the task.” The split in the conservative ranks looks uncommonly like what took place between the Free Church Constitutionalists and the Free Presbyterians in that the former believed it right to remain in the Church and fight against the new views while the latter deemed it their duty to clear out.