Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland

Reformed in Doctrine, Worship, and Practice

“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” Psalm 60:4

  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • 中文
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • What We Contend For
    • What We Believe
    • How We Worship
    • How We Are Organised
    • Important Documents
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • BKonline Course
    • Scripture and Catechism Exercises 2025-26
  • Publications
    • Free Presbyterian Magazine
    • Young People’s Magazine
    • Gaelic Supplement – An Earrann Ghàidhlig
    • Synod Reports
    • Religion and Morals Committee Reports
    • Tracts
  • Audio
    • Sermons
    • Theological Conferences
    • Youth Conferences
    • Psalmody
  • Congregations
    • Places of Worship
    • Current Ministers
    • Galleries of FP Churches
  • International
    • Zimbabwe Mission
    • Other International Congregations
    • Translation Work
    • Metrical Psalms in Various Languages
    • Chinese website (中文)
    • Spanish (español) website
  • History
    • History of the FP Church
    • Congregational Histories
    • Deceased Ministers and Probationers
    • Obituaries and Synod Tributes
    • Moderators of Synod etc.
    • Timeline of Scottish Church History
  • Spiritual Help
    • How to Find Spiritual Help
    • How may a sinner be saved?
    • How may someone know if they are truly saved?
    • Spiritual Mindedness
  • Bookshop
Home » Publications » Free Presbyterian Magazine » 1946 » July 1946 » A Prayer for the Soul of David Livingstone—an Apology.

A Prayer for the Soul of David Livingstone—an Apology.

*We have received the above apology from Mr. R. F. Chisholm, Editor of the Quarterly Record of the National Bible Society of Scotland.—Editor.

ATTENTION has been drawn by different friends of the Bible Society to the fact that in the recent Quarterly Record in the article of the London Missionary Society Ter-Centenary Jubilee Celebrations, the prayer offered at the grave of David Livingstone at Westminster Abbey was quoted without any word of disapproval. This has been regarded as giving support to the practice in some churches of prayers for the dead, and if so considered would be an offence to many Protestant readers.

The account was written with something of the inspiring glow of the service still present, and the writer thought of the prayer rather as a message of thanksgiving for the great Missionary Servants who had carried the Word of Truth and Light into many lands and who had long since entered into the rest which remaineth to the people of God.

In reading it over when editing the Quarterly I also only thought of it as a Thanksgiving Prayer but with the writer I would express regret that phrases in it should have caused offence to any and would assure
*We have received the above apology from Mr. R. F. Chisholm, Editor of the Quarterly Record of the National Bible Society of Scotland.—Editor.
readers who have been perplexed thereby that neither the writer of the article, nor the editor of the Quarterly would wish to be considered as surrendering anything of our great Protestant heritage in which prayers for the dead have no place.—ROBERT F. CHISHOLM, General Secretary and Editor of The Quarterly Record.

Upcoming Events (DV)

Jul 23
23 Jul - 27 Jul

Communions: Cameron, Struan

Jul 30
30 Jul - 3 Aug

Communion: Dingwall

Aug 6
6 Aug - 10 Aug

Communions: New Canaan, Somakantana

Aug 27
27 Aug - 31 Aug

Communion: Stornoway, Zenka

Sep 10
10 Sep - 14 Sep

Communions: Halkirk, Munaka, Portree

View Calendar

Latest Articles

  • Youth Conference in Australia
  • June 2026 Magazines online
  • Valuing the Gospel Ministry
  • UK Youth Conference 2026
  • Asia Pacific Youth Conference Lectures

Recently Added Audio

  • Jesus and His resurrection 21 Jun 2026
  • Jesus and His death 21 Jun 2026
  • “Many believed” 14 Jun 2026
  • Christ as a surety for strangers 14 Jun 2026
  • A vain cry in a time of trouble 7 Jun 2026
  • Redemption through the precious blood of Christ 7 Jun 2026
  • Waiting for the Lord 13 Jun 2026
  • Coming to yourself 12 Jun 2026
  • Throwing away an inheritance 11 Jun 2026
  • He will come to the feast 10 Jun 2026

View All Sermons

Download Latest Issues:
The Free Presbyterian Magazine
Young People’s Magazine

Free Presbyterian Places of Worship

Browse the Church Bookshop

Back to top

Website Contact

Rev Caleb J Hembd
caleb.hembd@gmail.com

Moderator of Synod

Rev K D Macleod BSc
11 Auldcastle Road
Inverness, IV2 3PZ
United Kingdom
E-mail: kdmacleod@gmail.com

Clerk of Synod

Rev Keith M Watkins
Free Presbyterian Manse, Ferry Road, Leverburgh, Isle of Harris, HS5 3UA, UK.
kmwatkins@fpchurch.org.uk

General Treasurer

Mr William Campbell
133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow,
G3 6LE, UK.
william.campbell@fpcoffice.org

Copyright © 2026 Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland · Log in · Subscribe via RSS · Privacy Notice