Bad News.
The Scotsman (3rd January) has an article by Dr. Norman MacLean in which he makes the following reference to the Pope’s recent message:—”The Pope’s recent Christmas broadcast marks another stage towards the goal of collective security, for it places the whole influence and authority of the Catholic Church behind the movement that aims at abolishing war. Unlike the national and sectional churches is world wide and its voice reaches all nations.” This is bad news indeed for all who have paid the slightest attention to Rome’s strange attitude in the present war. “Meanwhile,” concludes Dr. MacLean, “His Holiness, the Pope deserves the gratitude of all lovers of righteousness, justice and peace.” We once read in an article by an American journalist of some one who was trying to white wash black sheep. We have never witnessed the process but the phrase has a meaning and Dr. MacLean did his best for the Pope but he made a poor job.
Church Notes.
Communions.
February, first Sabbath, Dingwall; third, Stornoway. March, first Sabbath, Ullapool; second, Portree and Ness.
Communion Services.
Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Eccleston Hall, Eccleston Street, Buckingham Palace Road, London, S.W.1.
In connection with the dispensation of the Lord’s Supper on Sabbath, 1st April, the following Services have been arranged (D.V.) to be conducted by the Rev. W. Grant, Halkirk, and the Rev. D. R. MacDonald, Tarbert, Harris:—
Thursday, 29th March, 7 p.m.; Friday, 30th March, 3.30 p.m. (Gaelic), 7 p.m. (Fellowship Meeting); Saturday, 31st March, 3.30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sabbath, 1st April, 11 a.m., 3.45 p.m. (Gaelic), and 7 p.m.; Monday, 2nd April, 3.30 p.m. (Gaelic) and 7 p.m.
Services are held every Sabbath at 11 a.m., 3.45 p.m. (Gaelic), and 5 p.m. Weekly Prayer-meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Appeal from Northton, Harris.
The Northton section of the South Harris Congregation have been worshipping for the last 50 years in an old building in the midst of sand dunes far away from the village and difficult to reach especially in the winter months. After enduring all these years of discomfort, it is now unanimously resolved to remove as much of this building as can be used to a new site central to all the people. The Congregation will do their best to meet the expense, but will welcome any financial help which friends throughout the Church will be moved to give them. Mr. John Martin, 22 Northton and Mr. Sam. Morrison, 39 Northton will gladly and thankfully acknowledge any donation sent them for this purpose. The Outer Isles Presbytery cordially endorse this appeal.
MALCOLM GILLIES Presbyter Clerk.
Literature to Forces Fund.
The distribution of good literature continues, and extends to Navy, Army, Air Force, and Hospitals, etc. The Committee is able to secure further considerable quantities at reasonable cost. The fund needs further support. Pray that these efforts be blessed.
B.B.C. Broadcasting on the Lord’s Day.
The Outer Isles Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland hereby protest against the B.B.C. broadcasting English lessons to the Continent on the Lord’s Day. There are six days in the week on which this work could be done. “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is the reproach of any people.” We have no objection to the propagation of the English language, but we think it is wholly unnecessary to desecrate the Lord’s Day in such a manner, in a foremost profoundly Protestant and Christian country. We consider it unjust to use public money for such a purpose.
Ordination of Rev. Edwin Radasi as Missionary.
The Northern Presbytery met at Lairg on Friday the 1st December, 1944, for the ordination of Rev. E. Radasi as Missionary of the Church in South Africa. The Rev. R. R. Sinclair preached from Mark xvi. 20. Thereafter Rev. Wm. Grant, the Moderator of the Presbytery, put the usual questions to Mr. Radasi, who on answering them satisfactorily and signing the formula, knelt and was set apart by solemn prayer and by imposition of hands to the officer of the Holy Ministry as a Missionary of the Church. The Moderator and the other members of the Presbytery gave him the right hand of fellowship. He was suitably addressed by Mr. Grant as to his duties and work—and mention was made of Mr. Radasi’s father—the Rev. John B. Radasi—who, forty years ago, was the founder of the Free Presbyterian Church South African Mission. There was a very large congregation, friends being present from Lochinver, Scourie, Kinlochbervie, Strathy, Wick, Halkirk, Rogart and Dornoch.
We pray that the Lord may abundantly bless Mr. Radasi in his prospective sphere of labour.