By Rev. JAMES MACLEOD, Greenock.
GENERAL Sir William Dobbie on the 7th March, the Lord’s Day, addressed a meeting in this town (Greenock), arranged by the Ministry of Information. He talked of his experience in Malta from 1940 till 1942. We have no doubt whatever the General, Army, and the people of Malta passed through the severest test that any of the British possessions were called upon to face, and endure. The General said.—”I, also, acknowledge with humbleness the divine guidance of Almighty God, who by His help saved Malta during its darkest days. . . . I, personally, have no doubt whatever about it.” He then went on, as reported in the press, to describe the efforts of Italy to “rub out Malta” in the words of Mussolini. We say at once that we were painfully disappointed, that Sir William Dobbie, came on the Lord’s Day to this Town for such a purpose and on such an errand. The main burden of his mission and address was to the workers in the shipyards of Greenock for more ships “to keep our sea lanes open throughout the seven seas.” The Sabbath Day is not for Generals, Admirals nor Politicians to be speechifying on, the day which God set apart by divine wisdom for His service, glory, and the benefit of His people. Men, and women, fathers, mothers, and sisters are daily sick, and constantly worried hearing, seeing, and knowing far too much about war, and its ravishing results. We had our “Malta” in this very town, no one need come on Sabbath days, or week days to tell us nor to the workers of our busy shipyards what it is to face death, see, hear, and know what bombing is like! What pains us is that General Dobbie, who is reputed to be a deeply religious gentleman, should come on the Lord’s Day, and repeat what the school boys know. The excuse of course is the people must be constantly reminded of our national dangers. If the General had addressed the “workers in our shipyards” about their need of Christ, His gospel, grace to repent, and told them of the fact that all unregenerated sinners whether they die in Malta, Greenock, or on the field of battle, in the air, on the water, or under the water will be lost for all eternity if they are not born again according to the truth of the gospel that would be in keeping with the day, occasion, place, and circumstances. What the people of Greenock, and Britain need is the gospel of the grace of God, power to quicken the dead, and a
Scriptural conception of what they are fighting for. Members of His Majesty’s Government, High Officials of the Forces, think that they have a proprietary right because the Nation is at war to utilize the Sabbath as if it were an ordinary week day. Their conduct will not bring peace nearer to the poor people!
For our part we cannot reconcile true piety, genuine humility, and steadfastness in the faith with Sabbath desecration. These are occasions, and there will be occasions such as the present when men will have to do works of necessity, and mercy on the field of battle, or nursing a helpless infant on the Lord’s Day; but political speeches are not in that category. In this connection, we would highly recommend a pamphlet written by Rev. Thomas Houghton, on Sabbath Observance to be had from Mr. B. S. Taylor, Gospel Magazine Office, 69 Fleet Street, London, E.C.4. It is one of the best we have seen in recent times on this subject—Scriptural, suitable, and practical. Price 3d (4d post free) or 50 copies 12/- post free. Congregations should be supplied with copies of this pamphlet. The author, Mr. Houghton, is a living witness on the side of Christ, against the flesh, the world, and the devil. May God hasten the day when the Day of Rest will be honoured by Governments, and governed alike! We need not doubt for a moment when the power of the gospel will take effect on the heart, and consciences of men that they will willingly, and lovingly observe the Lord’s Day in heart, and life.