Scottish Theology in Relation to Church History Since the Reformation
by Principal-Emeritus John Macleod, D.D. Edinburgh: The Publications Committee of the Free Church of Scotland. Price 7/6.
The volume under review consists of a series of Lectures delivered by Principal Macleod at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, U.S.A. As was to be expected from Dr. Macleod the Lectures evidence wide and intimate acquaintance not only with the well-known fields of Scottish Church history but with the less known by-paths. Another feature, where Dr. Macleod’s extensive reading comes to his aid, is the use he makes of his knowledge of American Presbyterian and Congregational church history and theology. Dr. Macleod’s method is to single out the outstanding figures in Scottish Church History from the Reformation to modern times and then to review their standing in relation to the Reformed and Westminster theology. He has done so with a masterly touch in a manner both interesting and informative. Even those who may have a fairly intimate knowledge of the field covered by the lectures will find much in this volume to send them to the sources from which he culled his information. Notwithstanding the Principal’s self-deprecatory remark the volume will take its place beside the classic work on the subject, Dr. Walker’s Scottish Theology and Theologians. No work of recent times has presented such a weighty indictment of the tremendous landslide from the Reformed and Westminster theology as is seen in the present theological position of the Church of Scotland and of the Congregational and Baptists Churches in Scotland. One can be sure that
the representatives of these Churches will find much that will not make pleasant reading for them and which they will probably resent. Dr. Macleod did not hesitate to state even in Westminster Theological Seminary the Confessional doctrine of the relation of Church and State, a doctrine which American Presbyterians in general have cast aside. The high Sacramentarianism of some of the leading Scot-Catholics comes under searching criticism and deservedly so.
Adrift: the Story of Twenty Days on a Raft in the South Atlantic by J. H. Hunter, Evangelical Publishers, 366 Bay Street, Toronto, Canada. Price, 5/-.
Mr. Hunter, the editor of the Evangelical Christian (Toronto) who saw this remarkable story through the press has truly said that the sea has produced many amazing stories but surely this is one of the most amazing. For 20 days Mrs. Bell and her two children drifted westwards in storm and sunshine on a raft (8 by 10 feet) after their ship had been torpedoed. Mrs. Bell, a missionary’s wife was coming home on furlough when on a Sabbath day without thought of danger the ship shook from stem to stern and sank in a few minutes. Mrs. Bell tells the story from that dread moment until they were spotted by an American bomber and finally rescued by a destroyer in such a way as to awaken breathless interest in the reader. The nights were the worst when fears were active and hope sank low. The storms, too, as the frail raft was tossed on the waves tried the strongest nerves. This wonderful story has, as has been well said, told to the glory of God.
“Catholic” Education: An Indictment by L. K. Kentish-Rankin, M.A. The Church Association, 13 Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.2. Price 6d., post free 7d.
In view of the place Education has in the Government’s programme in its Bill at present before Parliament this is a timely publication. The part that the Church of Rome has played in Education in various countries and the opinions of leading statesmen and public men are quoted. The Jesuits and the Christian Brothers, an Irish R.C. organization, deservedly come in for severe castigation. In all likelihood Scottish Education will soon come under the review by the Government and it will be strange if the Roman Church will not make fresh demands over and above her present privileged position in Scotland in the matter of religious Education in the public schools, so it is well that all interested should know what kind of fruit Romanist Education has borne in various countries.