The Synod again met within the Church, Inverness, on Thursday, the 23rd day of May, 1940, at 6 p.m.; and was constituted. The Roll was called; and after a short prayer meeting, the Synod dealt with business.
Wire to Prime Minister.
It was moved, seconded and agreed to, that the following wire be sent to the Prime Minister:—”Rt. Hon. W. S. Churchill, Prime Minister, Westminster.—We, the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, convened at Inverness, this day, beseech the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to vouchsafe you personally and your Government the Divine guidance and strength in your arduous task. ‘Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.’ Ps. 50, v. 15. Rev. MacDonald, Moderator.”
Financial Statement.*
This was read by Mr. J. Grant, General Treasurer, and its adoption was moved, seconded and agreed to.
Rev. D. M. Macdonald said: “We have much reason to express our indebtedness to the Lord for His great goodness in supporting us until now. It is clear in the statement, and as the late Rev. D. MacFarlane of Dingwall used to say on occasions like this, that—”as long as we adhere to the gospel and its doctrines faithfully the Lord will reward us.” That saying has been fulfilled time and again in our history as a Church. We have been upheld all along until now although at the outset we were told that as a body we would soon be out of existence altogether, and yet it seems that we never had our finances in such a good condition—at least the congregational contributions were never so high as they were in the past year, and that in face of all the troubles we passed through in the last two or three years. I think we can take it as a token of good from the Lord which should encourage us. It is our duty as a Church, and we have been endeavouring to fulfil that duty, to abide by the doctrines and to preach the gospel of Christ to our fellow-sinners as the only remedy for their condition, and the only hope for them. We are indebted to our people for their generosity. Some of them have doubled their contributions during the past year or two. We are also indebted to our collectors who are undertaking a very important duty, and are doing it well, so that we are under considerable obligation to them for their zeal and activity in helping the Church. Other churches in Scotland are complaining of being in debt. Without any boasting in the matter we have great reason to be grateful as a Church that we are not in debt, and although we are poor in comparison with other churches yet our funds have been kept in a very satisfactory condition, and we should see the hand of the Lord in it all. Although it was said that we would not continue to exist as a Church long, here we are still, not only in Scotland, but in other countries as well, so that in various directions we are endeavouring to spread the truth as it is in Jesus, and that is the best work we can do in the world. May we continue to do it until the end.”
Mr. R. R. Sinclair, London, said: “It might be advisable for the benefit of those who are not members of this Court that some explanation of the various items should be given. The Sustentation Fund is £433 up on last year, but we have an increased liability of three additional ministers who have been admitted to congregations during the past year, so that, while depending entirely on the Most High for the sustenance of His cause, and looking to Him for these extra liabilities, it is also imperative for each one of us to make it a matter of conscience as to whether we are doing our duty to the cause of Christ with which we are connected. I am quite prepared to agree that the older generation or the fathers and mothers of families, subscribed handsomely to the funds for the maintenance of the cause of Christ, but I think there is a large number among us as a church who do not personally realise their responsibility. I can tell you how my experience proves it. In the congregation to which I belong we have a large number of young people from the Highlands. We have few families in London, and we notice when the young people from the Highlands first come there they put a penny in the plate. After some little time they appear to realise their responsibility and give sixpence. The point I would like to emphasise to our young people is that when they begin to earn a living the first thing they ought to do is to contribute to the cause of Christ. They will never regret it because the Lord will never be in their debt. He is jealous for His cause, and if each one of us were to deal with the matter between ourselves and the Most High I am sure we would be able to give a little more. It is the young people of our congregations I want to impress this upon. The Lord’s cause in our church is progressing. We have more ministers—we have a liability, and if we put our trust in the Lord He will provide, but we have to do our duty. I would like particularly to say that to those who have not, up to the present, realised their responsibility. Let us think of the condition of affairs in the rest of Europe where they have no open Bible—Hitler, the Sabbath before last, shut all the churches in Holland. When I was there last year I met quite a number of godly people. They are just the same identical people as we are ourselves. They would certainly put us to shame in many ways. I never took a meal in a house but there was family worship after it, at breakfast, dinner, tea. The Bible was always in evidence, and the character of the people, and reception we got (we had no Dutch and they no English) was exceptional. An interpreter was telling me these people do not talk about the things of the time, and now they have been shut out from the things of God, and surely we, this evening, ought to appreciate our blessings and show our appreciation in a tangible manner. These people sung the psalms, not hymns, and struck us as having a great love for our Church, and were certainly very interested. Well now, can we imagine how we would feel if we did not have a church to go to or if we were not allowed to gather together for prayer. That is the condition that has existed in Germany for years, and in Holland for ten days. The Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund shows an increase of £156. Surely everybody ought to be interested in the spread of Christ’s cause. A stationary church is a soul-less church, but a church that is willing to shoulder the burden in faith on the Most High will be blessed, and the Report which you will hear from South Africa shows it. What is money to the value of a soul?”
Finance Committee’s Report.*
The Report was read by Rev. D. J. Matheson; and its adoption was moved, seconded and agreed to.
Mr. Matheson said: “We have much cause for thankfulness to the Most High for His goodness to us as a Church. We have reason to say—”Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.””
Mr. Jas. Hymers said: “I always remember when this Church came into existence, Mr. Cameron on the first few occasions generally read the Financial Report, and at the end of the Report he stated this—’As long as we keep faithful to the principles and doctrines of the Bible we need not be afraid,’ and I have every belief at this time if we remain faithful to the standard the Lord will uphold His own cause. The Apostle says—’If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?’ When this church came out, I remember an anecdote Mr. Cameron told in Halkirk. Dr. Macdonald was at a Communion and a good many came to hear him on the Sabbath from other churches, but on the Monday some did not return as they did not believe in the doctrines he was to speak about, but if these doctrines were applied by the Spirit they would return. Unless I am deceived this will be the church I will seek to abide in as long as I am on the earth. We may have difficulties and disappointments, but let us always maintain the principles on which it was raised, and if we do that we shall never lose sight of the church.”
Miss Jean Nicolson, South Africa.
In connection with Miss Nicolson, Rev. N. MacIntyre said: “As you are aware, Miss Nicolson was advised not to sail to Africa when her furlough expired, and the Committee agreed that her salary should be continued until she got suitable work in this country. Later when travelling appeared to be safer she sailed for South Africa, and she returned her quarter’s salary to the Treasurer, i.e., £50, to be used as part of her travelling expenses, and I beg to move that, ‘The Synod cordially thank Miss Nicolson for returning here quarter’s salary to be applied towards her travelling expenses to Africa.'” This was seconded and agreed to.
Rev. Jas. A. Tallach said: “I think that the word ‘cordially’ should be added to the motion, i.e., ‘The Synod cordially thank Miss Nicolson,’ because we all ought to be very much indebted to Miss Nicolson, and I am sure we all feel it. During the time she was here she infused a spirit of enthusiasm into the minds of those with whom she came in contact in relation to the Foreign Mission, and when she departed she left behind her this added incentive.” The word suggested was included in the motion.
Legacy Report.*
Rev. D. J. Matheson read this Report, and said that although the legacies this past year were smaller they were much appreciated, and thereafter moved the adoption of the Report, which was seconded and agreed to.
Jewish and Foreign Missions Report.
Rev. N. MacIntyre said: “I beg to move the adoption of the Jewish and Foreign Missions Report which includes the Committee’s Foreign Mission Report, Mr. Tallach’s, Mr. Fraser’s and Mr. Urquhart’s.” This was seconded and agreed to. “With regard to Dr. Macdonald’s Report, it is not included in the draft copies as it did not arrive in time to be printed along with the others, but it will appear in the Magazine. I am expected to take up some of the most important items in these Reports. I will take the Foreign Mission Report first. I got a surprise when I had a letter from Mr. Grant informing me that our balance this year was £1,495 18s. 3d. I did not expect this as it is only a decrease of £79 on last year’s balance. I expected at the end of this year that our balance would be almost wiped out, and that gave the Committee some anxiety. We had Mr. Grant in Glasgow to consider these matters as we thought if the decrease of £805 at the end of last December would continue we would soon be in difficulties. The Free Church is nearly £2,000 in debt and we have a balance of £1,495 18s. 3d.—only £79 down this year. I think that is most gratifying, and besides, we had scarcely no legacies. The legacy we received from our late worthy friend, Mr. Donald Fraser, of Strathpeffer, of £100, helped our balance very much. We are indebted also to our people and congregations for their liberality, and I would make this appeal that they continue, and increase their liberality to enable the Committee to carry on the work they have undertaken. The Lord has countenanced this Mission, and it would be a calamity which everyone of us would regret if this work would be curtailed. I wrote Mr. Tallach to use the ‘pruning knife,’ but he thinks we should go on in faith. I do not admire his policy, however, because ‘Faith without works is dead,’ and it is easier to get into debt than to get out of it. The Committee agreed that the work of the Mission be carried on this year at least as formerly, and that further consideration be deferred until Mr. Tallach comes home (D.V.) in July. We authorised Mr. Grant to realise £500 War Loan Stock if necessary to keep on the Mission as formerly, but we do not think it will be necessary meantime. As to Miss Nicolson, Mr. Grant has received £5 4s. from Messrs. Cook with whom she booked for Africa, which reduces Miss Nicolson’s fare now to £7 16s., which is all the Church had to pay apart from her own £50. Regarding Shangani, we have had a small school there for some years. It is over 80 miles from Ingwenya, and it is evidently a beautiful place and thickly populated—about 15,000 natives. On one occasion when Mr. Tallach was in Shangani the Native Commissioner called him into his office and said they were very anxious that a Mission would be started in Shangani, and that the Free Presbyterian Church would start it. In fact, the people would have no Mission apart from the Free Presbyterian Church, and he offered from the Government £500 on loan at a very low rate of interest for twenty years, and the interest paid in twenty years would only come to £250, and the other £250 would be given to the church as a grant. The £500 was to be given to set up buildings in Shangani. They also offered £200 to a European teacher irrespective of what the Church would pay. When I got that letter from Mr. Tallach I immediately consulted the members of the Committee, and they were all unanimous that we accept this as a very liberal offer, and we cabled Mr. Tallach; but then he wrote saying that we should defer the matter until Mr. James Fraser would come home, and he dropped it there. Whether Mr. Tallach had further conversation with the Commissioner or not I cannot say. He told us when the war broke out it would be better to drop the matter just now because it was quite likely that the Government might change their mind about the financial help, but now I see that Mr. Tallach is taking up the matter again without letting us know. I brought Mr. Tallach’s letter before the Committee, and we agreed that we would do nothing until Mr. Tallach comes home in July (D.V.). I think it would be right that the members of Synod should express their minds on this matter, and if the Committee is going to take it up it would be well that they would know the mind of the Synod. Mr. Fraser’s Report, and Dr. Mr. Macdonald’s Report, you will find are very interesting. There is also Mr. Urquhart’s Report, and we all sympathise with Mr. Urquhart because he has very uphill work when working among the Jews.”
Dr. Macdonald’s Report.*
This was read by Rev. R. Mackenzie, and its adoption was moved, seconded and agreed to.
Rev. M. Gillies said: “When about forty years ago the Southern Presbytery sent Rev. J. B. Radasi to go out to the South African Mission he selected a place where the gospel had never been, saying that his own people had the gospel already. He laboured there alone for some time, and then he wrote a letter to the late Rev. Neil Cameron giving an account of a meeting where he read the 14th chapter of Jeremiah. When he came to the words, ‘We have sinned against thee,’ Mr. Radasi went on to say that one of the Chiefs got up and repeated the words, ‘We have sinned against thee.’ That, I think, was the first indication that the Holy Spirit had work to do among the black people to which Mr. Radasi went, and to which the Free Presbyterian Church has been from that time sending her labourers. Who would visualise at that time two ordained missionaries working in that field, one of them also a medical practitioner, and two fully certificated teachers, along with many native teachers, and many elders acting as missionaries at the out-stations. We ought to be very humble as a Church that the Lord has used us so wonderfully in the Mission Field in South Africa, and we ought to consider it a hopeful sign that He will maintain His cause among us. To my mind the Free Presbyterian Church exists to maintain the doctrines, worship and discipline and government of Reformation times. We hope she will be sustained in order to send out the gospel—that the Lord will sustain her as a temporal kind of fountain from which the Mission in South Africa will be supplied from year to year. It is our duty to remember the South African Mission at the Throne of Grace, and that the abundant harvest of souls which have been gathered in in connection with that Mission up to the present will continue and will be more fruitful in the years to come.”
Rev. W. Grant said: “The work of the Foreign Mission is at all times difficult, but they are confronted with new difficulties now arising out of war conditions. In Rhodesia war regulations exist, and there is every likelihood that the youth of the Mission will find themselves in military service. Dr. Macdonald said in his Report that there was a probability that the Mission work might be curtailed on account of war conditions. That makes it the more necessary that we at home should bear our Foreign Missionaries upon our minds at a throne of grace. We live in extraordinary times, times that will shake the nations of the world, and the missionaries may find themselves to some extent cut off from the homeland as matters develop. But there is one source whence help can come, and our place is at a Throne of Grace for the Foreign and Home Mission Field.”
Rev. R. R. Sinclair said: “I should like that Rev. Donald Urquhart would say a word or two about his work.”
Rev. D. Urquhart said: “I did not expect to be asked to say anything just now about the Jews. They have certainly been very prominently in the eyes of the world since the Hitler régime in Germany, and in a very sad way—a frightful way. The degradation and shame they have had to endure as well as the suffering is dreadful. It would be good if all that suffering were worth while—if they were brought to the feet of Christ in consequence. It would be blessed suffering, and who knows but all the suffering of recent times may be a strong indication that their redemption draweth nigh, and that the Lord’s set time to favour literal Zion may be near at hand. I hope and pray so. When some of their ancestors said: “His blood be on us and our children,” little did they think that centuries later their descendants would be dragged through the mire of degradation as they have been recently. I am not going to say that the Jews are saints, or anything like it, and neither am I going to expose their faults. There are plenty anti-Semitics in the world without my beginning to expose their many failings. I know a good deal about them, but I keep that to myself, and my earnest desire is that they might be saved, and that the Lord may hasten the time when they shall come weeping to the feet of Christ, and when they shall say: “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” I do think that time is not very far away in the future. May the Lord hasten it. May it be a time of blessing to the whole world, and let our prayer be that the Lord would hasten that time when all ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the Lord.”
Miss J. Nicolson’s Arrival in South Africa.
Rev. N. MacIntyre said: “It escaped my mind to say when referring to Miss Nicolson, that she arrived safely at her destination.”
Separation of Jewish Mission and Foreign Mission.
The following motion was moved, seconded and agreed to:—”That consideration of the separation of the Jewish Mission and the Foreign Mission be postponed on account of the unsettled condition of things at present.”
Rev. N. MacIntyre said: “At last Synod it was suggested that the Jewish and Foreign Missions should be separated, and a Committee was appointed to consult a capable lawyer regarding the matter. Rev. D. Beaton and I did so in Edinburgh, and his view has been submitted to the Synod already. In view of the upheaval that is going on, we do not know what may take place. But who can tell that although these things are sad, they may be the means of opening doors to spread the gospel among Jews and Gentiles.”
Payments to African Mission.
These were moved, seconded and agreed to as follows:—”That the following annual sums be sent to the African Mission—(1) £10 to Mr. Paul Hlazo; (2) £30 for the upkeep of the Mission at Ingwenya; (3) £30 for Medicines; (4) £10 for Mission Hospital.”
Addition to Magazine Committee.
It was moved, seconded and agreed to, “That Rev. J. Colquhoun be added to the membership of the Magazine Committee in his capacity as Editor pro tem.“
The Hour of Trial.
The “hour” of trial has generally been succeeded by a season of light. After the persecution about Stephen came the conversion of Paul. After the martyrdom of John Huss came the German Reformation. After the Marian persecution came the establishment of English protestantism. The longest night has had its morning. The sharpest winters have been followed by spring. The heaviest storms have been changed for blue sky.—Bishop Ryle.