A Sheriff Speaks on Scotland’s Religious Conditions.—Sheriff Gordon, Edinburgh, in remarks made at a Religious and Life meeting commented on the religious condition of Scotland. Eighty per cent of the people of this country he said are outside the Church; two thirds are indifferent and the remaining third is hostile. The country to a great extent has become godless. Dishonesty, corruption and immorality abound. Thieving has reached a new record. During the last four years goods to the value of £3,000,000 an increase of £38,300 have been stolen. An Edinburgh firm said that they lost £1,000 per month by theft. There has also been a serious development in juvenile delinquency said the Sheriff. What is being sown to-day will have a terrible harvest some day unless God in His grace intervene.
The Demand for Bibles.—The demand for Bibles in Scotland, says the Scotsman, is most marked at the present time, and it is a gratifying feature of these war years that the Bible is so much sought after in almost all parts of the world. At the monthly meeting of the National Bible Society of Scotland, held in Edinburgh yesterday—Sheriff J. S. Mercer, K.C., in the chair—reports regarding different areas emphasised the importance of the Society’s work at this time in providing supplies. One of the Society’s agents had been able to travel hundreds of miles up and down the supply line to Russia, in the Near East, and had stated that there were indications of a genuine religious revival among the Russians. In Palestine, to which supplies of Scriptures have been sent, there were also signs of remarkable spiritual revival among the Jews, and many New Testaments in Hebrew had been distributed. The provision of Scriptures for those in the Services is proving an ever-increasing blessing to many, and many chaplains have written of the great demand among the men and women for the Testaments. Over 617,000 Testaments have now been supplied.
- “Open the Theatres.” —Such is the heading of a leading article in the News Chronicle* advocating the opening of theatres on the Lord’s Day. The plea is supported by the usual clap trap that passes for logic by those who arrogate to themselves a more than ordinary portion of good nature and broadmindedness. There can be little doubt that the constant breach of the Lord’s Day by multitudes of journalists has hardened them against any argument that strikes at their conduct. Hence one finds that the press, too often, is not on the side of the angels and is far from being a supporter of Sabbath observance. There are noble exceptions of course, but generally speaking the gentlemen of the press are Satan’s shock troops to batter down, if they can, the observance of the Lord’s Day.
The Morale of the Troops.—One of the pleas offered by anti-Sabbatarians for the opening of theatres and cinemas on the Lord’s Day is that the morale of the troops demands it. If breach of divine law is to sustain the morale of the troops the less they have of that kind of morale the better. As well argue that because some of the men would like some of their neighbours’ goods that it would be conducive to their morale to make a free use of what belongs to others. The English Churchman pertinently remarks: “We venture to claim that the efficiency of Servicemen depends not on encouraging them to use the Lord’s Day for pleasure and excitement but on reminding them that they have souls as well as bodies and minds, and that God can and will draw nigh to them if they will draw nigh to Him.” Mr. H. H. Martin of the Lord’s Day Observance Society has well described the situation when he says:—”Indeed the new ‘Sunday’ opening agitation is nothing less than a mean and soulless attempt to exploit the troops for the sordid benefit of theatre and music-hall vested interests.” The hypocritical cant of the anti-Sabbatarians is nauseating.
The Secretary of State for Scotland’s Concern for Juvenile Delinquency.—Mr. Tom Johnston has called a convention “to explore the whole problem” of the increase of juvenile delinquency in Scotland since the outbreak of the War. The Convention meets on 17th January in the City Chambers, Edinburgh. The letter of invitation stated that juvenile delinquency had increased in Scotland during the war years by some thing like 25 per cent. The situation is made all the more disturbing by the fact that there was a considerable decrease in the English figures last year coincident with an increase in Scotland. “It seems to Mr. Johnston,” the letter added “that a united effort on the part of all sections of the community who have responsibility for children or are interested in their welfare is required, not only to arrest this increase, but if possible to reduce the incidence of delinquency among children and young persons.” By way of emphasising the seriousness of the problem the letter pointed out that in 1942 upwards of 19,000 charges were proved in the Scottish courts against children and young persons between the ages of 8 and 16 years. We hope in next issue to call further attention to the above convention.
U.S.A. Call to Prayer.—President Roosevelt began the New Year well by calling the American nation to prayer. “It is fitting,” said the President, “that we set aside a Day of Prayer to give thanks to Almighty God for His constant providence over us in every hour of national peace and national peril. May we seek strength and guidance for the problems of widening warfare, and for the responsibilities of increasing victory.” It is a good way of opening the New Year and while one misses the note of humiliation it is something to know that the great American nation was called to prayer by its President. Surely, if we are to believe what our leaders, tell us about the year on which we have entered we need not only divine guidance but divine protection.
“I have been enabled to commit my soul to Him who says ‘Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out’ and ‘who is able to save to the uttermost.'” These two texts have been as sheet anchors, by which my soul has outdrove many a storm when otherwise hope would have failed. ‘In no wise’ takes in all characters, and ‘to the uttermost’ goes many a league beyond all difficulties. I recommend these anchors; they are sure and steadfast.”—John Newton.