Inspired Psalms and Uninspired Hymns.
An article in the June issue of the Free Presbyterian Magazine dealing with the subject of Inspired Psalms and Uninspired Hymns in the public worship of God, included some references to a review by the Editor of the Gospel Standard, of a booklet entitled, “The Exclusive Use of Psalms in Public Worship.” The Editor of the Gospel Standard has written us a friendly letter, explaining that he has never placed their hymns on an equality with the Psalms, nor suggested that they are inspired as is all of Holy Scripture. He states his appreciation of the use of the metrical version of the Psalms in public worship, although the congregations of his denomination (Gospel Standard—Strict Baptists) have never used them, a fact which he regrets. He also fully recognises that the alteration of words to preserve rhythm leaves the substance of the Psalms intact. The Editor further states, that personally he cannot but feel that their hymns have been blessed to godly worshippers, although not for one moment claiming infallible inspiration for them. Having given expression to the terms of this letter received, we would leave the matter by reminding readers that the exclusive use of the Psalms in public worship is, of course, a fundamental principle held by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
The Iona Community.
Dr. George MacLeod must have felt disappointed with the reception given by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to his earnest pleading for the Community scheme which he sponsors. People are suspicious that the scheme savours more of monasticism than Presbyterianism. Concerning it, it may be said, to use the words of the worthy Rev. John Davidson when an attempt was made to introduce Episcopacy into the Church of Scotland: “Busk [dress] it, busk it out as bonnie as ye may, I see the horns of its mitre.” Sad to think that there is need again in Scotland for Andrew Melvilles, Alexander Hendersons, and John Davidsons.
Religion in the Schools.
At a meeting of the Educational Institute held in Edinburgh recently, the retiring President, Mr. William Barry, Kirkin-tilloch, made the following comment: “The secularists are on the war-path all over Europe and they are determined to abolish religion from the schools. The fight is on—God in the schools or not. Scotland has always had a religious tradition in its schools,” he declared. “To-day we are grateful for that religious freedom and its safeguards. We are confident that, no matter what happens to the schools on the Continent, it will not affect us here to the extent of endangering our Christian practice and heritage.” Mr. Barry has done well to speak thus plainly to his fellow-teachers of Scotland. We are, however, not so confident as Mr. Barry that the continental wave of secularism will not affect Scotland. What it did during the French Revolution it may do again.