The Synod again met within the Church, Inverness, on Wednesday, the 22nd day of May, 1940, at 6 p.m.; and was constituted. The Roll was called, and business was proceeded with, after a brief prayer-meeting conducted by the Moderator.
The Queen of Holland.
The following message was moved, seconded and agreed to :—
TO HER MAJESTY, THE QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland authorise the Clerk to send a message of sympathy to Her Majesty Queen of the Netherlands, in the trying position in which (in Providence) Her throne and people are placed at this present time; and pray that God may overrule this solemn dispensation for His own glory and the good of the people of the Netherlands.
Rev. Jas MacLeod said: “We all know the terrible condition of Holland and how Her Majesty was forced, in the providence of God, to leave her own country. The history of the House of Orange is one of the most remarkable histories in the world since the days of the Reformation. They took sides with the Reformation at the very outset, and any person who ever read the historian, Motley, on his history of the Netherlands, and especially with reference to the Reformation, will remember how unselfishly, and humbly and courageously the first Prince of Orange fought against the enemies of civil and religious liberties to the very end until an assassin took away his life. He was a godly man, and had his confidence in the Most High. Ever since that time the Lord favoured the Netherlands in a most remarkable manner and used them in defending the great Protestant principles down through the ages. In the last war they were preserved, in the providence of the Lord, from the fearful things that other nations, and our own beloved nation, had to contend with; and they evidently thought that on this occasion also they were to escape the terrible catastrophe that has overcome Europe. Evidently they did not realise that they had to contend with no ordinary men, but with murderers and thieves and robbers, in every sense of the term. They warded off trouble as much as it was in their power by holding to their neutrality; but as we know a thief or a robber has no respect to truth or morals, and the Hitler gang has proved to the whole world that they have not the faintest regard for truth, nor for the lives of their fellow-creatures. It seems that they just sport in destroying life and property. Yet without the least possible doubt they are a rod in the hand of God to chastise the nations of Europe. What may be the result is in the hand of the Lord, not in the hand of any man, however mighty or powerful. Everything is at stake in our own nation, our religion, our liberties and our lives. And it is the duty of every true citizen to be on his knees at the present time pleading with the Lord for deliverance, which He can give us in His mercy and providence.”
Rev. W. Grant said: “In seconding this motion it is with sorrow that circumstances call for it. We have the deepest sympathy with all the nations and peoples who have had, and are still meeting with the barbarous forces of a godless tyranny; but we have a special sympathy with Holland. Holland, time and again, proved a refuge for those who had to flee from wicked powers and who contended for truth and liberty. At the same time it is evident that God is reckoning with nations, and nations must realise the authority of God’s Word. They have been ruling the world without God. We have gone to many gods, and Scripture is being fulfilled—‘Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god.’ We, in expressing our sympathy with the Queen of Holland, who is now a refugee in our land, do not forget those who are expressing their sympathy in a practical manner on our battle fronts. The question may be asked—‘What is to become of the nations of the world?’ Well, a few days ago I was visiting a Danish seaman. He suffered ship-wreck, and had bitter experience of war. He lost all he possessed. He is in hospital with both legs broken, but he has one thing—he clung to it—his Bible, the Word of God. And we felt that although he is mutilated, if he has the Word of God in his hand and in his heart, he has what men and devils cannot take from him, and we believe that there lies the hope of the mutilated nations of Europe and of the world. They may lose their all materially, but if they will have the Word of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of it, then they will arise triumphantly. It will lead them to say in the words of another—‘Rejoice not against me, oh mine enemy, when I fall I shall arise.’”
Religion and Morals Report.*
The adoption of this Report was moved, seconded and agreed to. Rev. D. M. Macdonald said: “There is one thing I shall refer to and that is in connection with the sentence—‘Then shall Christ be given His rightful place as King of kings and Lord of lords.’ Let us remember that the time will come when He shall rule over the nations of the world and it is because He is not given His rightful place at present as King of kings that the nations are suffering so much. Some are very ready to accept Dictators to rule over them, but they are not willing to accept Christ as their King, and as long as things continue like that nations shall not prosper. When they do come to submit to His authority they shall not suffer as they are doing now; and the time is promised in God’s Word when He shall bring into subjection to Himself the nations of the earth.”
All cross-heading marked with an asterisk () indicate that the Reports will be found printed in this or subsequent issues.—J. C.
Gambling Evil.
It was moved, seconded and agreed to, “That the Government be asked in the national interest to abolish all facilities for betting and gambling, as being against the moral and spiritual well-being of the people and dishonouring to God.” Rev. D. M. Macdonald said: “In connection with this motion I may point out that there is a tremendous amount of money spent on gambling and betting in the country. It is very sad that people should be allowed to spend several hundred million pounds annually on betting and gambling, when that money, if diverted into the proper channels, would be for the benefit of the war. It may come to this very soon that Britain will see that this is a colossal waste of money. Money is spent on what is very harmful to the people themselves, and it might be spent far more usefully. The turnover in connection with gambling is about £30,000,000, i.e., gambling on football pools. The profit to the promoters is more than £2,000,000. That shows what an enormous sum has been spent on that part of gambling. Apart from the Commercial and Stock Exchange speculation the total amount spent is reckoned about £500,000,000 annually, and the country cannot stand that very long, and that is why we should call the attention of the Government to this gross waste of money, and endeavour to put a stop to it if we can.”
Saluting Papal Nuncio.
The following motion was moved, seconded and agreed to, “Bearing in mind the history and blasphemous and tyrannical claims of the Papacy, and remembering how the prosperity of this Protestant nation is bound up with opposition to these claims, the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland protest against the Admiralty regulation which singles out for special honour the representative of the head of this politico-ecclesiastical system by requiring that ships of His Majesty’s Navy fire a salute when a papal nuncio comes into port, an honour not accorded him by any other nation, Papal or Protestant, and one contrary to the spirit of the Protestant constitution of the realm and grievous to multitudes of His Majesty’s loyal subjects.”
Mr. F. Beaton said: “It is the height of folly for individuals or nations to cast aside or ridicule the testimony of history, and the history of Europe is largely intertwined with the history of the Papacy. The Pope claims to be Christ’s Vicar and, as such, he claims to be higher than the kings of the earth; and to exercise the authority of Him who has a name written on His vesture and on His thigh, King of kings and Lord of lords. When the Popes had the power to do so they asserted their claims. One of them made the Emperor Henry IV. of Germany, whom he had excommunicated, wait bare-footed, and clothed in sackcloth, three days and nights in the winter snow outside the castle of Canossa, suing for forgiveness. Christ, in His rule of providence, has largely deprived the Pope of the power he formerly wielded, but the Papacy has never relinquished any of its claims. Among the anathemas pronounced by the Pope when he prolated his own infallibility at the Vatican Council in 1870, we find him say, ‘Whosoever saith that the Papacy should be reformed let him be accursed.’ Why should the representative of this religio-political system be singled out by the Admiralty for this honour? Also, how had instructions for this salute been surreptitiously introduced into the King’s regulations? Why should loyal subjects of the King be grieved in this way? It is with grief and sorrow that many of the people of this land heard of this privilege. They include many men serving in the Navy. It is time this thing was abolished, and that what is just and right in the constitution should be preserved, and on that account we send this Protest.”
Sabbath Observance Report.*
This Report was adopted, on being moved and seconded,
Wireless on Sabbath.
It was moved, seconded and agreed to, “That the Synod warn our people not to be making use of the wireless on Sabbath, either for news or for so-called religious services; and that notice to that effect be inserted in the F.P. Magazine.”
Political Speeches on Sabbath.
It was moved, seconded and agreed to that, “The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland desire respectfully to draw the attention of the Prime Minister to the evil of making public speeches on the Lord’s Day. This is a practice which does not appear to the Synod to come under the category of things necessary and merciful and is therefore to be deplored, not only because the practice is evil in itself, but because of its general effects. For God demands of all to observe the fourth Commandment holy to Him, and we are bound by His Command to obey.”
Rev. Jas. MacLeod said: “It is a custom for ministers of the Crown to broadcast speeches on the Lord’s Day. That was not the case with His Majesty’s ministers in days gone bye. I remember in 1916 when the Rt. Hon. Lloyd George, who was then Prime Minister, made his first public speech on the Lord’s Day, he excused himself for making this speech by making special reference to a Scottish Ecclesiastic who suggested to him, that owing to the stress of business, he was quite justified in making this political speech under the terms of necessity and mercy. We do not believe that comes under this category at all. The public of Britain should have taken special note that when any of our leaders make speeches on the Lord’s Day we are confronted almost the following day with some most distressing catastrophe, and surely they themselves should take note of that! We know that many a thing our leaders have to do at the present time on the Lord’s Day as well as on other days, because of the situation our nation is in, under the laws of necessity and mercy; but we cannot possibly see any justification for making political speeches on the Lord’s Day, and it would be better for our leaders not to make them because it is not necessary. And I beg to move, Mr. Moderator, that the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church desire respectfully to draw the attention of the Prime Minister to the evil of making public speeches on the Lord’s Day. This is a practice which does not appear to the Synod to come under the category of things necessary, and it is therefore to be deplored, not only because the practice is evil, but because God demands of all to observe the Fourth Commandment, and we are bound to obey Him.”
Mr. K. Matheson said: “We have no delight or desire as a Church to interfere with our rulers in their great responsibility, but certainly we have full right to stand by the Word of God and by the Sabbath law, and as said in the motion, it is not a case of necessity and mercy for our Prime Minister or anyone else to be broadcasting political matters on the Lord’s Day, for it is against the command of God. We are suffering on account of the fact that we transgressed the commandment of God, which will stand for time and eternity. ‘Except ye repent we shall all likewise perish.'”
Training of the Ministry Report.*
The adoption of this Report was moved, seconded and agreed to. Rev. W. Grant said: “Since our last meeting of Synod three students were licensed, ordained and duly inducted to congregations. Two of them are with us as members of this court to-day, but we regret that one of them, Rev. A. D. MacLeod of Shieldaig, is laid aside. I am sure we, as a court, extend our sincere sympathy to Mr. MacLeod in his illness, and sincerely pray and desire that he will be restored to health and usefulness.”
Rev. M. Gillies said: “The Rector of the Nicolson Institute is to send a report to the Synod of Mr. Alistair Mackenzie’s progress. He was to have sat an examination last Monday. It will be here before the Synod is over, in all probability.”
Canadian and Colonial Report.*
The adoption of this Report was moved, seconded and agreed to. Rev. W. Grant said: “I have to remind you that our Deputy, Rev. A. F. Mackay, of Applecross, is at present in Winnipeg. He has been several months in Vancouver, also visiting other stations, and he sent in encouraging reports of the attendance at all services. Mr. MacKay sent in a request to have his time extended to June. His Presbytery granted that and the Committee agreed to it. A further request has since come in asking that he remain for a longer period, but that matter is under consideration by this court. We have also had proposals from our people in Australia—proposals to strengthen the cause of Christ there. These proposals are also coming before this court for consideration. You will remember that the Synod last year decided that Rev. D. Beaton would visit Australia. Mr. Beaton booked his passage for the 2nd September, but owing to the outbreak of war the sailing was cancelled, and he had to delay his departure. He sailed, however, about ten days ago, and a cable has come intimating his safe arrival in New York. It is Mr. Beaton’s intention (D.V.) to visit our various stations in Detroit, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and probably the Mission Field in South Africa, and I am sure that friends will follow him with their prayers in his long journey in these perilous times. He is also expecting to meet the Dutch friends in Grand Rapids, Michigan, who had sent a request to the Synod last year, and in meeting with them he will undoubtedly meet with a people grieved and pained at heart because of the devastated state of their homeland. Among these Dutch people—and we have all had the pleasure of meeting several of them from Holland for several years, there are those who are outstanding Christians and who, we believe, are wrestling with the Most High for an outpouring of His Spirit. We know not whether these friends have come through this terrible catastrophe or not. We know not if they are still alive, but our sympathy goes out, not only to those who have been driven from their homes but to the many overseas who are broken-hearted by the cruelty of the oppressor. Our enemies declared some time ago that to worship Germany is to worship God, but even from such paganism we could not expect the horrible brutality of recent times. We regret that in this country there are those who looked for peace to a quarter who gave their blessing to the conquest of Abyssinia, of Albania and of Spain. Christianity does not stand for peace at any price, but for righteousness at all costs.”
Deliverance on Kingship of Christ.*
This Deliverance was read by Rev. D. A. MacFarlane and its adoption was moved, seconded and agreed to.
Deliverance to be sent to the King.
It was moved, seconded and agreed to, “That copies of above Deliverance be sent to, His Majesty the King; the Prime Minister; the Foreign Secretary; the Secretary for Scotland; and to the Press and F.P. Magazine.”
Rev. Jas. MacLeod said: “For many years it has been obvious that the name of the Lord Jesus in the public utterances of officials has been disregarded. There is no mention made of the Lord Jesus Christ at all. If the Lord Jesus Christ is not honoured by us as a nation, God cannot be honoured—the Father is not honoured. It was He who revealed the Father to us in the everlasting gospel of His grace, and how dare men to be so presumptuous that they would not acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ in all circumstances, at all times, and especially the leaders of the people! It is a terrible thing for men professing the Christian religion to deny the eternity of the Son of God, and the Sonship of Jesus Christ, e.g., the Arians or Unitarians as they are now called; and as Mr. MacFarlane stated in his Deliverance,—ignoring the fact that He is King of kings and Lord of lords, and Prince over the kings and kingdoms of the earth. We hope the day is fast approaching when the blind nations of the world will see the dishonour that has been cast upon the Son of God by the so-called Christian nations, and that will put an end to this slaughter and wickedness for a thousand years, according to the promise of God.”
Mr. F. Beaton said: “I have much pleasure in supporting this Deliverance. The evil practice on the part of public men of ignoring the claims and refraining from mentioning the name of the Lord Jesus Christ came to a head in the procedure of the League of Nations where the very mention of Christ’s name is forbidden lest it give offence to the supporters of false religions. This fact grieved the hearts and alienated the sympathies of many Christians from the League, and where is the League of Nations now? The League’s baneful precedent is being copied with deadly effect in the public life of the nation. There is, therefore, an urgent call for a witness against the ignoring of the name and claims of the Lord Jesus Christ, the more so when we remember the national testimony raised for Christ’s Headship over the nations as well as over His Church, in this land in the past, and public men should be requested to acknowledge these claims.”
Rev. A. F. Mackay’s Return.
It was moved, seconded and agreed to, “That Rev. A. MacKay be instructed to return home, after he visits Detroit and New York City—after Rev. D. Beaton’s arrival in Winnipeg.”
The meeting was now closed with praise and prayer.