ON Sabbath the 5th day of November last the pastoral charge of the Free Presbyterian Congregation of Glasgow was, by the instructions of the Southern Presbytery declared vacant. The Rev. R. MacKenzie, M.A., who for nearly twelve years had ministered to the congregation had found it necessary, for health reasons, to submit the resignation of his charge to the Southern Presbytery.
In the month of May Mr. MacKenzie had applied for leave of absence and had been granted three months. It was hoped that the rest from all ministerial duties during this period would, under the blessing of the Lord, result in restored health. When, however, Mr. MacKenzie returned to Glasgow towards the end of August he found that his strength was unequal to the demands of his charge and on the 3rd of October he submitted his resignation in the following terms:—”I regret exceedingly that the state of my health does not permit of my continuing in my charge of St. Jude’s Congregation; and I therefore ask you to be good enough to submit to the Presbytery at their first meeting my request that they will be pleased to accept my resignation of that charge to take effect from 31st October.”
Mr. MacKenzie’s letter of resignation was duly submitted to a meeting of the Southern Presbytery held in the Church Hall, Glasgow, on Tuesday, the 13th day of October. The following extract from Moncreiff’s “Church Practice” bearing on the subject was read:—”A Minister who wishes to resign his pastoral charge, from ill-health, old age, or other circumstances not affecting his ministerial character, must tender his resignation to the Presbytery under whose jurisdiction he is placed. The Presbytery, either when alone, or through a Committee, deal with him as to the reasons of his proposed resignation. It is also reasonable that due notice should be given to the Congregation of what is intended by their Pastor. If the Presbytery find the alleged reasons unsatisfactory, or if any circumstance or fama be made known to them which requires investigation, they cannot accept the resignation until it be ascertained that there is no ground for bringing their brother under the censures of the Church. But if nothing objectionable appear with respect to his procedure, and they find him continuing to be conscientiously persuaded that it is his duty to follow out his intention, it is their duty to accept of his resignation, and to take immediate steps for declaring the pastoral charge of his Congregation vacant.” Chap. 11. Part 11. Div. 1. Sect. 43.
In accordance with these directions it was moved and seconded that, “The Presbytery remove to the Manse at 5 Park Quadrant, as soon as possible thereafter, to meet with the Rev. R. MacKenzie and to confer with him alone upon the reason for his proposed resignation, and to ascertain from him if he still adheres to his determination to resign.” This was seconded. An amendment to the effect that the meeting should be delayed until later on in the evening was also moved and seconded. Upon a vote being taken it appeared that four members supported the motion and three the amendment and the Moderator accordingly, declared the motion carried. One member dissented. It was decided that after the interview with Mr. MacKenzie the members of Presbytery return to the Hall and complete any other business requiring attention.
Having thereafter removed to 5 Park Quadrant, the Presbytery met with Mr. MacKenzie. There ensued a lengthy conference and various suggestions were offered with the object of obviating if possible the resignation of Mr. MacKenzie. Among others the suggestion that a year’s leave of absence, free from all ministerial duties might result in the Divine Providence in restoring Mr. MacKenzie’s health, was made. Mr. MacKenzie said that whatever the Divine Providence might do was beyond our control, but he pointed out that he had been already granted three months’ leave of absence and the hoped-for restoration of health had not been realised. He further assured the Court that he had not arrived at the determination to tender his resignation with a light heart, but only after serious consideration, and, he hoped, not without light. When asked Mr. MacKenzie announced to the Moderator that since he had written the letter tendering his resignation nothing known to him had transpired to alter his determination to resign and he still adhered to his letter of 3rd October. Mr. MacKenzie then retired and the Presbytery resumed the discussion. It appeared that all present recognised the seriousness of the issues involved both with regard to Mr. MacKenzie and also to the Congregation. The Moderator engaged in solemn prayer for Divine guidance. Thereafter it was moved, seconded and agreed to, that the Presbytery, with deep and sincere regret accept the resignation of the Rev. R. MacKenzie from the pastoral charge of the Free Presbyterian Congregation of Glasgow, as from the 31st day of October, 1944, according to the terms of Mr. MacKenzie’s letter of 3rd October, 1944.
There was no amendment.
On returning to the Church Hall, where a considerable number of the Congregation had gathered, Mr. MacKenzie’s letter, and also the Section in Moncreiff’s “Church Practice” already referred to, was read, and the Congregation informed that the Presbytery had with deep and sincere regret acceded to Mr. MacKenzie’s request and had accepted his resignation.
It is our earnest prayer that Mr. MacKenzie may yet be sufficiently restored to resume his labours in the Lord’s vineyard; and in the meantime that he may be supported and comforted by those Gospel consolations in the preaching of which he has been greatly blessed to others.
J. A. T.