Mussolini’s Twenty Millions to the Pope.
Some are wondering what the Pope has done or is doing with the twenty million pounds handed to him by Mussolini by way of compensation. Perhaps the Pope’s “dear children” in Italy could be doing with some of these millions in the day of their distress.
Open Letter to Mr. Churchill.
The Rev. David Kyles, the Editor of the British Messenger (Stirling) has written this Open Letter to Mr. Churchill (Drummond Tract Depot, Stirling, price 6d.) in which he calls the attention of the Prime Minister to the great need of Repentance on the part of the British people. There are statements here and there in the Letter with which we do not agree—especially those with an Arminian colouring. Mr. Kyles devotes a section to the Fall of France and quotes from writers of standing that it was due to the moral rottenness of the underlying structure of the national life. He calls upon British leaders to be on their guard against the same world danger. The whitened sepulchre was seemly enough from the outside but within there was a mass of corruption. It is this present danger that our leaders in Church and State must be on their guard against.
Does it Mean Revision of the Confession.
The Presbyterian Church of Canada which refused to enter into that non-descript body known as the United Church, we are afraid, is drifting from the old moorings. At its last General Assembly a Committee was appointed with the primary purpose of modernizing the language of the Confession. This may not mean, of course revision of Confessional doctrine but it may be a pointer in that direction. The drift from the faith of our Presbyterian fathers as far as the Confession is concerned, sad as to say began in Scotland and of all Churches, the once noble Free Church was to feel the first deadening effect of the virus. Since those days the larger Presbyterian denominations in Scotland, America, Canada, Ireland, etc., seem to be getting more and more restive in their relation to the Confession and seeking to get away from its sound doctrinal teaching.
The Tragedy of the Jews.
The National Committee for Rescue from Nazi Terror (30 Maiden Lane, London, W.C.2) has sent us Terror in Europe: The Fate of the Jews by Alexei Tolstoy and The Fall of the European Jews by Thomas Mann also The Jews in Europa, a broadcast by Watson Thomson, University of Manitoba. Surely there never was a people who had to drink the cup of suffering comparable to this people. Who could believe that they would have to pass through such scorching fires in this so-called enlightened century and to suffer such incredible things at the hands of a nation professing, and accorded by many, to be one of the most cultured nations of the world. Surely the terrible curse invoked upon them by their fathers—”Let His blood be on us and our children”—has not been exhausted yet. These booklets give a vivid, if blood-curdling, story of what the Jews are passing through. Their persecutors have yet to stand the assize when the Judge of all will deal with them.
Free Presbyterian Church Principles.
With the October issue of the Young People’s Magazine the Catechism of the Free Presbyterian Church Principles was concluded. This Catechism was approved by the Synod and sets forth the Church’s view on the matters it deals with. We take this opportunity of calling our readers’ attention to another Synod statement in which the differences between the other Presbyterian Churches in Scotland and our Church are set forth. This Statement was reprinted in the Histroy of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland which may be had from Mr. John Grant, 4 Millburn Road, Inverness, price 2/10 (post free). With these documents before him no Free Presbyterian can say that the Synod has failed in its duty in presenting the position of the Church to her people. It may be pointed out that these documents are not the statements of individuals only but are issued with the approval of the Supreme Court and have, therefore, an authority which no statement coming from an individual could have. We intend, for the sake of the young principally, to reprint articles on the Declaratory Act from the Magazine in the Young People’s Magazine at an early date.