CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
THE Assembly held its opening meeting in Edinburgh on Tuesday, the 20th May. Admiral of the Fleet Lord Cunningham was again the Lord High Commissioner. The Rev. George J. Jeffery, Glasgow was appointed Moderator.
Report of Church and Nation Committee.—
In their Report the Committee express grave disquiet at the attitude of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland. Indeed it is refreshing to hear of such an outspoken condemnation of Roman Catholic activities from the Church of Scotland. The Committee are not so much concerned with the numbers of Roman Catholics in the country, it is the aggressive nature of their attitude, which is out of all proportion to their numbers, that comes in for criticism. That the menace of Roman Catholicism should be brought publicly to the notice of the Scottish people by the National Church is all to the good.
Report of Committee on Social Service.—
This Committee appears to be largely concerned with the provision of “eventide homes” for elderly people. Details are not available but evidently considerable progress had been made in the provision of these homes. That this work helps to meet a very great need is unquestionable. We have no doubt there are elderly people in the Free Presbyterian Church who need and who would welcome the provision of such homes if such a scheme were to be set afoot. A serious criticism of the Committee’s work was raised in the Assembly to the effect that sufficient prominence was not given to the spiritual aspect of the Church’s social work. If this criticism has any real foundation, and we can well believe it has, it certainly constitutes a very grave defect. To concentrate on social service to the exclusion of Christ can be exceedingly dangerous.
Foreign Missions.—
The Convener of the Foreign Missions Committee referred to the changes in the political outlook of many of those countries where Mission stations had long been established. In China, Pakistan, India, the Gold Coast, etc., these changes were all towards the right of control in the hands of each separate State. In Communist China this meant the complete exclusion of all foreign missionaries, and it is doubtful if the native Christian Church can long survive. The missionary was still welcomed in India and Pakistan, but the work there is being carried on under a considerable amount of State Control. This probably means that while the missionary is welcomed for his medical, social and educational value, the purely spiritual aspects of his work, which is by far the more important, will be hampered. Owing to lack of funds the Assembly found it advisable to reduce the 1952 budget by £10,500. It was recognised that “this decision would entail considerable dislocation and reduction in many valuable pieces of work in the field.”
Iona Community.—
Evidently the Iona Community project has found an accepted place within the framework of the Church of Scotland in spite of the strong and widespread opposition of former Assemblies. The Rev. George MacLeod acknowledged the debt due to the late Dr. John White for his part in bringing about this result. If ecclesiastical statecraft of the kind which has brought the Iona Community within the fold of the Church of Scotland is worthy of praise then certainly Dr. John White has earned much praise. We however have other views on the matter. Dr. MacLeod, who is the originator of this movement and acts as Convener of the Iona Community Board, says: “One of my own deepest satisfactions in the integration of the Community with the Church has been that now, without dubiety, we can record that it is the Church of Scotland that is rebuilding its own most sacred material possession (Abbey of Iona). The Board count it an honour to be associated in your name with such an undertaking.” As far as we are aware this statement has been accepted without protest. The triumph of Dr. MacLeod in bringing about such integration as between the Iona Community and the Church of Scotland is the defeat of those who opposed him, and we are convinced that the opposition came from what was best in the Church of Scotland. We cannot, therefore, regard such triumph but as another big step on the downgrade.
The Home Board and the Hydro-Electric Camps.—
The Board complains of lack of funds to carry on church work among the thousands of men employed on the various hydro-electric schemes in different parts of Scotland. The crippling effects of this lack have brought what was once an encouraging enterprise to a stand still. While profound disappointment was expressed at this state of affairs it was contrasted with the energy and resources of the Roman Catholic priests engaged in this type of work.
Scarcity of Young Ministers.—
The position with regard to pulpit supply within the Church of Scotland is giving much cause for concern. Evidently the demand far exceeds the supply, and the position appears to be deteriorating. Unless great care is taken, attempts to remedy this situation may be highly dangerous. In addition to the present shortage, the Rev. George Sutherland spoke of the intention to open 50 new churches in the next 10 years, “and,” he adds, “men must be found for them.” When the main concern becomes the mere filling up of vacant pulpits without due regard to the divine call, as well as to the spiritual and gracious stability of aspirants to the ministry, the results are bound to be disastrous. Ample proof of this is furnished by the history of the Church of Scotland itself on more than one occasion.
Youth Night—Christian Leadership.
Speaking to over 1,000 young people on “Youth Night,” the Rev. William Barkley, Glasgow University, said: “Man was characteristically a creature of the cross roads. In life we were confronted with thousands of roads, and it was so easy to take the wrong one. That was why Christian Leadership was so essential.” But what if the leader himself is on the wrong road! Scripture speaks of “the blind leading the blind and both falling into the ditch.” The thought occurred to us when on reading a little further we found Mr. Barkley saying, “It is not First Century Christianity we want but Twentieth Century Christianity. So often the battle cry of the Christian Church is, the Old is better.” Does Mr Barkley mean us to infer that there is a difference between the Christian Church of the first century and twentieth century Christianity? Does he further mean that this difference is the measure of the Church’s progress? It would seem so. Taking the New Testament as containing the substance of First Century Christianity, that there is a vast difference between that the Christianity of the present-day Church of Scotland we will not deny, the difference is there for all to see. But to interpretate that difference as progress is certainly more than we are prepared to concede. We do not hesitate to interpretate that difference as the measure of the Church’s retrogression. If this is the type of Christian leadership offered to the youth of the Church of Scotland can anyone wonder at the alarm expressed by the Report of the Committee on the Religious Instruction of Youth, which points out, among other things, that the majority of the children of Scotland passed through the hands of the Church of Scotland, but far too many were lost when they reached 14. That was borne out by the staggering statistics of religious ignorance of many of the National Service men.
FREE CHURCH.
ON Tuesday, the 20th day of May, the Assembly met in the Assembly Hall, Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, when public worship was conducted by the retiring Moderator, the Rev. Murdoch MacRae. After worship the Rev. J. A. MacDonald, Killearn, was elected Moderator.
Moderator’s Address.—
In addressing the Assembly the Moderator’s theme was, “The Challenge of the Hour.” In his introductory remarks he indicated the nature of this challenge by giving a rapid survey of present-day world conditions in the social, political and economic spheres. “This sombre and disturbing state of affairs is one that presents a definite challenge to the Church of Christ.” It is a challenge, says Mr. MacDonald, to “Fidelity in the Faith.” In this section Dr. Wilbur Smith is quoted: “We need a zeal so fervent, such loyalty to the Lord, that we will not tolerate in our church, or in our group of which we have control, nor permit fellowship with those who are betraying the truth, denying the Lord, and driving souls out into the darkness of unbelief and scepticism. We need to resent as quickly, and with even greater indignation, insults cast at the Lord Jesus, whether it be in the name of scholarship, modernism or compromise with the world, as when an insult is cast at one of our own loved ones.” Again the Challenge of the Hour is a “Challenge to Obedience.” In this section Mr. MacDonald emphasised the practice of Christianity as a way of life. “The strongest argument for Christianity,” he quotes, “is the Christian.” Finally the Challenge of the Hour is a “Challenge to Zeal.” “There is great and urgent need to-day for every Christian, in whatever calling he may be found, to aim first and foremost at being a zealous missionary of the Lord Jesus Christ.” A sentiment with which we are in the fullest agreement. Towards the end of the address, however, when dealing with the danger of “an uncompromising isolation in the name of formal orthodoxy,” we came across this statement: “On the other hand one of the lessons which world events have taught the nations in recent years is the untenableness of a policy of isolation. What applies in the case of nations applies also in the case of the Church.” Remembering that the policy of nations, for or against isolation, is governed by self-interest, security, fear, suspicion, etc., we cannot but regard this statement as unwise if not dangerous.
Lord High Commissioner’s Visit.—
The Lord High Commissioner to the Assembly of the Church of Scotland paid a visit to the Free Church Assembly on Thursday, the 22nd. Viscount Cunningham was welcomed by the Moderator who assured him that the courtesy behind the visit was deeply appreciated by the Assembly.
Welfare of Youth.—
The Report of this Committee was presented by the Convener, the Rev. H. G. MacKay, B.D. Mr. MacKay evidently finds ample cause for thankfulness for the many homes throughout the land where parents accept their responsibilities towards their children in instructing them in the Bible and Shorter Catechism. It would be interesting to know which favoured part of “the land” has supplied Mr. MacKay with his information. In view of the stark and tragic realities of the religious situation to-day such unfounded optimism can be very misleading and dangerous. The Rev. Professor Finlayson struck a more realistic note when he remarked that the state of religion among our youth must be viewed with concern. Miss Cann, representing the “Campaigner” movement in Scotland, was presented to the Moderator during the discussion on the Report, and was asked to address the Assembly. “The aim of the Campaigner system,” she said “was to hold the young people of the Sabbath School, and to maintain hold of them in the difficult years of adolescence.” The aim certainly is praiseworthy, but how the Campaigner movement is to realise this aim is not told. To us the movement looks suspiciously like the Boys’ Brigade type of organisation and comes under the condemnation of all such movements. That the Rev. A. R. Fraser, Dumbarton, had adopted the Campaigner movement in his congregation and spoke of it in warm terms does nothing to allay our suspicion.
Religion and Morals.—
The Report of this Committee was submitted by the Rev. A. MacDonald, Glasgow. The Report notes that church-going is in the decline, and family worship was neglected. The “Sunday” newspaper was penetrating to the remotest corners of the country, and gambling was nation-wide. The B.B.C. also came in for strong condemnation. The Rev. K. A. MacRae, Stornoway, spoke in very strong terms, deploring the low moral tone of much of the matter transmitted by the B.B.C. and the extent to which the corporation serves as a propaganda agent in support of the “evolution theory.” Mr. MacRae moved a strongly-worded amendment along these lines which was carried after considerable discussion. Copies of the amendment were to be transmitted to the B.B.C., the Secretary for Scotland, and the Home Secretary. In our opinion such condemnation of the B.B.C. is fully justified.
Overture from the Presbytery of Skye and Uist.—
This overture was brought before the Assembly because of the practice of Free Church ministers conducting services in the Church of Scotland, and Church of Scotland ministers conducting services in the Free Church, and it craved that in all areas where the Free Church was represented the practice should cease. The Rev. J. Morrison, Strath, spoke in support of the overture. In the course of his remarks he made it plain that there were instances where Free Church ministers had conducted services in other denominations in such a form as we (the Free Church) could not uphold, “The conducting of services not according to Free Church form was a breach of ordination vows.” Further, Mr. Morrison insisted that what the overture wished to prevent was ministers holding Arminian and Socinian views from preaching to Free Church congregations. The Rev. K. A. MacRae, Stornoway, seconded the motion that the overture be received and its prayer granted. In supporting the motion Mr. MacRae spoke about “a new order” which this interchange of pulpits had brought about. He predicted that sooner or later the confusion resulting among the people would lead to a clamour for union. In Mr. MacRae’s view the Free Church protested against a position which they refused to join, and the protest was against the attitude of the larger Church to the Scriptures, against their unscriptural worship, against the Arminianism of their evangelicals (evangelists?), and against their materialism which found expression in such practices as the Gateway Theatre. The Free Church, said Mr. MacRae, was the true Church of Scotland. The Rev. Professor A. M. Renwick moved that the Assembly pass from the overture. In support of this motion he cited the case of the Seceders of Whitefield’s time, who closed their pulpits to him because he persisted in preaching in the pulpits of the Church of Scotland and thereby missed the blessings of the Cambuslang revivals. The Rev. J. W. Fraser, Plockton, seconded the amendment, and characterised the overture as untimely, ill-conceived and mis-directed. The Rev. Professor Finlayson also spoke in support of Dr. Renwick’s motion, and said, among other things, that the spirit of the overture was alien to the New Testament presentation of the Gospel ministry, to the New Testament conception of the spiritual liberty which we professed in Jesus Christ, and to the spirit of the Free Church, both from disruption days and after 1900. He added: “If I have to cut myself adrift from all the members of the body of Christ because I have the privilege to be in the Free Church then the privilege is too dearly bought.” On a vote being taken Dr. Renwick’s amendment “that the matter be passed from” was carried by 45 votes to 28.
All this is very revealing! (1) That the Church of Scotland is unscriptural in doctrine, worship, discipline and practice; that Arminianism and Socinianism are widespread within her borders; and that much of Scripture itself is regarded as myth, are recognised and tacitly acknowledged by all sections of the Free Church Assembly. (2) The Free Church of Scotland professes to be “True Church of Scotland,” sound in doctrine, worship, discipline and practice; protesting against all that is false in these spheres and therefore bound to protest against the Church of Scotland. (3) Of late years the practice of interchanging pulpits as between the Free Church and the Church of Scotland has grown to considerable proportions. (4) This “new order,” as practiced by some at least of the Free Church ministers means that when they occupy Church of Scotland pulpits the order of service used is “not according to the Free Church form.” (Would it be an unwarrantable and uncharitable thought on our part if we concluded that both uninspired hymns and instrumental music formed a part of that service?) (5) When Church of Scotland ministers occupy the pulpits of Free Church congregations there are no safeguards to prevent Arminian and Socinian doctrine from being preached and received. (6) The voting by which the Free Church Assembly sanctions the continuance of this practice was 45 to 28—a very considerable majority of Assembly members. (7) By this substantial majority the Assembly by implication gives its blessing and encouragement to the continuance of this practice. (8) The effect of the Assembly vote will undoubtedly be to give greater impetus to the practice in all parts of the Church. We confine ourselves to the two following observations: (a) This is the Church which the Rev. K. A. MacRae declares to be the “True Church of Scotland.” Do the facts support him? They do not. Do we believe him? We do not; we believe the facts. And (b) How can the vote of the Assembly in this matter be squared with the brave words of the Moderator in his opening address, under section “Fidelity in the Faith.” “We need a zeal so fervent, such loyalty to the Lord, that we will not tolerate in our Church, or in our group of which we have control, nor permit fellowship with those who are betraying the truth, denying the Lord, and driving souls out into the darkness of unbelief and scepticism. We need to resent as quickly, and with even greater indignation, insults cast at the Lord Jesus, whether it be in the name of scholarship, modernism or compromise with the world, as when an insult is cast at one of our own loved ones.”
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A Seasonable Prayer.
“O DELIVER not the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the multitude of the wicked; forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. Have respect unto the covenant; for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. O let not the oppressed return ashamed; let the poor and needy praise thy name. Arise, O God, plead thine own cause; remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily. Forget not the voice of thine enemies; the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.” (Ps. lxxiv. 19-23.)