Communions.
November—First Sabbath, Oban and Raasay; second, Glasgow and Halkirk; third, Edinburgh, Dornoch and Uig. December—First Sabbath, London.
Any corrections to Communion dates to be sent at once to the Editor.
London F.P. Communion Services.
The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, London congregation, Eccleston Hall, Eccleston Street, Buckingham Palace Road, London, S.W.1. In connection with the dispensation of the Lord’s Supper on Sabbath, 7th December, 1952, the following services have been arranged (D.V.), to be conducted by the Rev. William MacLean, M.A., Ness, Lewis, and the Rev. Donald MacLean, Portree, Skye:—Thursday, 4th December, 7 p.m.; Friday, 5th December, 4 p.m. (Gaelic), and 7 p.m. (Fellowship Meeting); Saturday, 6th December, 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. (Prayer Meeting); Sabbath, 7th December, 11 a.m., 3.30 p.m. (Gaelic) (with a corresponding English service in downstairs Hall simultaneously), and 7 p.m.; Monday, 8th December, 4 p.m. (Gaelic) and 7 p.m.
Services are held every Sabbath at 11 a.m., 3.45 p.m. (Gaelic), and 7 p.m. Weekly Prayer Meeting—Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Editor Resumes Duties.
We have reason to be deeply grateful to the Most High for restoration to health after our recent illness. And we would acknowledge with deep appreciation the kind and sympathetic messages we have received from friends at home and abroad. Further, we would personally thank the Reverend J. A. Tallach, now of Stornoway, for so willingly and efficiently undertaking editorial duties from May until October. Communications for the Magazine will, from now onwards, be sent to the Editor, Reverend Robert R. Sinclair, Free Presbyterian Manse, Wick, Caithness.
Southern Presbytery Clerkship.
Reverend D. J. Matheson, 5 Park Quadrant, Glasgow, C.3, has been appointed Clerk of the Southern Presbytery of the Church in place of the Rev. J. A. Tallach, formerly of Kames, and now minister of Stornoway F.P. Congregation.—D. J. M., Clerk of S. Pres.
November Meeting of Synod.
According to resolution of the May Synod, the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland will meet, the Lord willing, in the Church, Inverness, on Tuesday, the 18th day of November, 1952, at 6.30 p.m., when the Moderator of Synod, the Reverend William MacLean, M.A., Ness, will conduct public worship.—ROBERT R. SINCLAIR, Clerk of Synod.
Addresses for Sea-faring Men.
We would like to draw the attention of sea-faring men, who are often in ports in London and Leith during the week-ends, and who do not wish to stay in private houses, nor yet to travel on Sabbath by vehicles run for hire, to the two following addresses, of which their relatives at home might also take note:—(1) The Mission to Seamen, Buckingham Palace Road (opposite Victoria Station), London, S.W. (2) The Sailors’ Rest (opposite G.P.O.), Princes Street, Edinburgh.
Induction of Rev. James A. Tallach at Stornoway.
The Outer Isles Presbytery met at Stornoway on 16th September, 1952. The Church was well full of the general public. There were many present from Harris, and some from Skye. After the Moderator had constituted the Presbytery, the Roll was called. There were present Rev. W. Maclean, M.A., Moderator; Rev. D. Maclean, Assessor; Rev. Fraser Macdonald, M.A.; Rev. D. J. Macaskill, M.A., Clerk. The elders present were Messrs. D. G. Mackenzie, D. Matheson, D. Mackay, J. Mackay, John Macinnes, A. Maclellan. The minute of preceding meeting was read and approved. An Officer of Court was appointed, who read a proclamation in terms of the edict three times in English. There being no objection to the proceedings, Rev. Fraser Macdonald entered the pulpit, and gave out the 68th Psalm from verse 10 to be sung in Gaelic. The text was Psalm lviii, v. 5, “Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.” The sermon was preached in English, the preliminaries having been conducted in Gaelic. The heads of the sermon were:—(1) The Charmer or Preacher of Righteousness; (2) The Charm of the Gospel; (3) Duty of the Gospel Minister to Charm Wisely; (4) Those who will not hear, though charmed never so wisely.
A narrative was read by Rev. W. Maclean of events that took place in order to fill the vacancy. The Pastor-elect then was called on to answer the questions usually put to ministers at inductions, and having given satisfactory answers, he signed the formula. The Moderator, in the name of the Presbytery, and by the authority of the Divine Head of the Church, received and admitted Mr. Tallach to the pastoral charge of Stornoway congregation, and in token thereof gave him the right hand of fellowship. He was followed by members of Presbytery. The Moderator then engaged in solemn prayer. Rev. D. Maclean gave the charge to the Pastor. He referred to the priest having need of blood and anointing oil. Likewise there is need for the blood of Christ on the ear of the minister, to hear messages from God, and on the thumb for spiritual activity, such as pastoral visitation, and the defence of the cause of Christ. There is blood on the toe for fellowship with God, carefulness in walk, life and conversation. There are foes within and without. There is protection under the blood. Our feet need to be “kept from falling and our eyes from tears.” “Fear not, Abraham, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” The oil of anointing is the Holy Spirit of promise. The Holy Ghost applies the Word of God. Rev. W. Maclean gave the charge to the congregation. He said he hoped Mr. Tallach’s ministry in Stornoway would be blessed, so that souls would get to know Him to Whom belong the issues from death.
He also referred to the establishment of religion by the State as a principle we hold in opposition to Voluntaryism. Christ, as King of the nations, should be acknowledged by governments, and His Cause should be supported and defended by them. He said he hoped that Modernism and Arminianism and Voluntaryism would never get a footing in the Free Presbyterian Church. It was intimated that the congregation would have the opportunity of welcoming the new minister as they went out. The proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the 122nd Psalm led by Rev. Fraser Macdonald, and the benediction. It is hoped that the two new ministries, recently commenced, will be for the advancement of the Cause of Christ in the Outer Isles. As there are still 30,000 souls on the Long Island, in spite of Highland depopulation, we are glad that some value souls in the North.—D. J. MACASKILL, Clerk of Presbytery.
Guthrie’s “Christian’s Great Interest.”
The demand for this book, reprinted by our “Publications Committee,” is such that it is now almost sold out. Another issue is being arranged.
North Tolsta Induction (Correction).
In the October issue of the Magazine the numbers who signed the Rev. F. MacDonald’s call were incorrectly given as 19 members and 206 adherents. The correct numbers are 19 members and 286 adherents, making a total of 305.