Scottish Nationalist Activities.
Since our Synod of May, 1950, issued a statement critical of the Scottish Nationalists’ Covenant, the activities of members of this organisation up to date justify the warning Free Presbyterians were given as to signing the Covenant. The Stone of Destiny has been removed from Westminster Abbey, meetings have been held on the Lord’s Day to propagate Scottish Nationalism, the Scottish National Congress passed a resolution on 17th March, 1951, pledging itself to protect those Scots who refuse to be conscripted by what the Congress calls an English Government, and Scottish Government personalities have been threatened maybe by irresponsible Scottish Nationalist supporters. Comment is unnecessary.
Festival Funfare a Financial Fiasco.
Already Mr. Herbert Morrison, now Foreign Secretary, has had to relate a sorry story regarding the financial situation attaching to the Festival of Britain Funfair. He announced on 19th March that the loss on preparing this Fair, during six months has been £1,500,000. He stated that a decision of the House of Commons to close certain parts of the Festival on Sabbath had made a difference of £200,000 to the possible revenue. He meant, of course, a loss. Mr. Morrison will yet have to tell a darker tale of financial losses in this Festival undertaking, if we are not mistaken, by reason of his efforts to make it an all out Sabbath-breaking Festival. He has sown and will reap accordingly. Another great evil is that the taxpayer will suffer also. God is not mocked by men or nations.
Pope Blesses Condemned Nazi.
It was recorded in the daily press on the 16th March, that the Pope sent his blessing to Oswald Pohl, former Nazi S.S. leader, awaiting execution for war crimes in Bavaria. Pohl left the Protestant Church in 1936, turned back to religion after the defeat of Germany, and after instruction in prison, he became a Roman Catholic. The Nazi and Fascist governments were no friends of Protestant Britain. Hitler and Mussolini were Roman Catholics. It were infinitely better to hear that Oswald Pohl, condemned for crime by men and God, received God’s blessing through Christ Jesus, and became, not an R.C., but a penitent Christian.
South African Government and Coloured People.
Prime Minister Malan and his South African Government introduced to Parliament there, in March, a “Representation of Non-Europeans” Bill which, as reports say, will place coloured people on a separate voters’ roll and virtually disenfranchise them. We are conscious of the fact that there are delicate and difficult features of the colour question, even from a Christian viewpoint. But it has been made palpably clear that Dr. Malan holds extreme and unscriptural views in his attitude to the native African and other coloured people living in South Africa. Dr. Malan and his government may emphasise racial differences by Act of Parliament and by the arm of civil power; but if these be inconsistent with the Word of Truth and mind of God revealed therein, let Dr. Malan beware of consequences.