Communions.
February—First Sabbath, Dingwall; third, Stornoway; fourth, N. Uist. March—Second Sabbath, Ness and Portree; third, Lochinver and Finsbay; fourth, Kinlochbervie and North Tolsta. April—First Sabbath, Portnalong and Breasclete; second, Fort William; third, Greenock and London; fourth, Glasgow and Wick.
Magazine Subscription Form.
As readers of the Magazine will have observed, a Magazine Subscription Form has been included in the pages of recent issues. Will readers who wish to have the Magazine regularly, kindly fill in this Form, as soon as possible, and forward it with the required subscription, to Mr. John Grant, General Treasurer, 4 Millburn Road, Inverness.
Protest to Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
F.P. Manse, Tarbert, Harris, Inverness-shire, 27/10/48. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, City Chambers, Edinburgh. Honourable Sir, We, the Outer Isles Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, do hereby solemnly protest against the action of the Lord Provost and the Magistrates of the city of Edinburgh in giving a Civic Reception to Cardinal Griffin on 23/10/48. We recall that John Knox lived and preached in your city, that his grave and monument are there, that Rome since Knox’s day has not changed for the better.
We have no desire to interfere with either Cardinal Griffin or the Edinburgh Town Council while prosecuting their lawful duties, but we do deem it our duty as a Protestant body to oppose, with all the power at our disposal, any measure, particularly by public authorities, which we consider a danger to the Protestant rights of our nation. We are, Honourable Sir, Yours truly, Outer Isles Presbytery, D. R. MACDONALD, Clerk.
Objection to Broadcasting of Communion.
We, the Outer Isles Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, met at Tarbert, Harris, on 7th December, 1948, strongly object to the proposed broadcasting of Communion services by the B.B.C. While our concern is temporarily relieved by the fact that the B.B.C. in Scotland have decided to make no decision for at least 12 months to broadcast Communion Services, we deprecate the one possible exception to this rule, namely, to broadcast such a service from a hospital chapel for the sake of the sick, invalid and house-bound people generally. We urge it upon the B.B.C. to dispense with the project altogether. This strong objection to the above proposed services we take on the ground that in our opinion, such services are unscriptural, inasmuch as by Christ’s own appointment and example the essential parts of a Communion Service are the breaking of the bread and the passing of the cup. To this we add that the Sacraments may be dispensed only by a minister of the Word lawfully ordained. In a broadcasting service it would be impossible to give their proper place to these essential parts. The familiarity with the Communion Service, which broadcasting it would inevitably introduce, is fraught with danger to the Christian religion. Then the only qualification required in order to partake of the Lord’s Supper would be the possession of a radio. This would expose the holy Ordinance to extreme abuse.—DONALD CAMPBELL, Moderator; D. R. MACDONALD, Clerk of Presbytery.
Induction and Ordination of Rev. Donald MacLean, C.A.
On 22nd December, 1948, the Western Presbytery met in Portree Church for the purpose of ordaining and inducting the Rev. Donald MacLean, C.A., to the pastoral charge there. The Moderator, Rev. J. A. MacDonald, Applecross, presided, and the Clerk preached from II. Cor. viii. 23, 24. After public worship, the usual questions were put to the pastor-elect, which he answered satisfactorily and, having signed the Formula, he was ordained and inducted to the pastoral charge. He was afterwards suitably addressed by the Rev. Archibald Beaton, while the congregation were addressed in appropriate terms by the Rev. Malcolm MacSween, M.A. Rev. John Tallach, who was present and was associated with the Presbytery, engaged in prayer. After the singing of Psalm ccxii., the congregation had an opportunity of shaking hands with their new minister. The Call, which was a most harmonious one, was signed by 18 members and 285 adherents, making 303 in all, and at the ordination service the Church was packed to the utmost limits of its capacity, many having travelled a long distance to be present. Our fervent prayer is that the ministry which has now begun will be abundantly fruitful and that Mr. MacLean will have many souls for his hire.—J.C., Clerk of W. Presbytery.