The Protestant Question Box, by Monica Farrell: price 6d, by post 7d. This is a booklet of 15 pages of good type and provides, by way of question and answer, “a ready answer to Roman Catholic arguments in simple language for young and old.” The compiler, Miss Farrell, is a converted Eire Romanist and now well known as a Protestant lecturer. The booklet is to be obtained from the Secretary, National Union of Protestants, 55 Gloucester Road, London, S.W.7.
Notes and Comments.
The New Year.
We have left behind another year, 1952, and have now been spared by the kind providence of God to enter and see a new year, 1953, another stage on our journey through time to the eternal world. How important and solemn the words “Time” and “Eternity”! In time we may seek and find Jesus Christ by the help of the Holy Spirit, to the redemption of our guilty souls. In Eternity the ransomed of the Lord shall abide for ever with Christ in glory; and the wicked there shall dwell for ever in the place prepared for the devil and his angels. Dear reader, we wish you well in time and for Eternity. God’s people have their own thoughts at such a time as this, as to the past with its joys and sorrows, as to the present with daily spiritual needs and other concerns, and as to the future and their increasing need of Christ Jesus and grace in view of duty, death, judgment and Eternity. But their Redeemer will never leave them, nor forsake them. May we obtain grace whereby we may serve God acceptably during the remainder of our sojourn here.
General Dwight Eisenhower Elected President of the U.S.A.
The American Presidential election took place at the beginning of last November, and the famous general of the last war, General Eisenhower, the Republican candidate for the Presidency, obtained an overwhelming victory over his Democratic Party opponent, Governor A. Stevenson. And so General Eisenhower will (D.V.) be formally installed as President of the U.S.A. one day this month. Great responsibilities and burdens of state rest upon the President of so great a nation in such serious times as these, especially internationally, and truly the wisdom which Solomon obtained from the Lord is required for such an exalted office, that not only the United States but Britain and other nations throughout the world would benefit during President Eisenhower’s term of office. We are not conversant with the President’s religious background or present beliefs regarding the Christian faith and the Bible. But we trust that he will be kept from being influenced by Roman Catholic intrigues and demands to further that Church’s evil designs, while being an encouragement and help to all who seek to resist the powers of Communism and Atheism. The providence of God has placed him where he is, and may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be granted him in abundant measure, that the kingdom of God on earth be helped and not hindered by his decisions and actions.
A Worthy Decision by the Governor of Kenya Colony.
The Christian and civilised world is disturbed by the wicked and devilish activities of the Mau Mau secret society in Kenya Colony, North Africa, where cruel murders have been perpetrated by the zealots of this society. It is therefore heartening in these troublous times, when so seldom we hear of men in places of responsibility advising recourse to God in prayer, to read in the press that “The Governor of Kenya, Sir Evelyn Baring, to-day (12th November, 1952) called on all Christian Churches in the colony to a day of prayer on Sunday, November 30th.” He said, “I ask all Christians to be united in prayer that day for the ending of the sad, troubled period through which we are now passing and for goodwill among
all men and a contented future.’ Sir Evelyn took a right step and has set an example to the people under his care. May this example be followed by others in responsible posts at home and abroad when difficulties and troubles arise. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble” is the divine injunction in Psalm 50.
Episcopal Wedding in St. Giles’.
Lord Dalkeith, the press informs us, is to be married in St. Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, this month, and by the Rev. Kenneth C. H. Warren, Episcopal Bishop of Edinburgh. St. Giles’ Cathedral is the outstanding church in the Church of Scotland and the history of Reformation times in Scotland surround it. But Dr. Charles L. Warr, the Church of Scotland minister of St. Giles’, will have none of John Knox or Jenny Geddes. Back to Episcopacy is the trend to-day in some Church of Scotland quarters. Lord Dalkeith and his bride are both Episcopalians and yet were anxious to have the service in St. Giles’. The Bishop said that he was very glad that Dr. Warr was kind enough to invite him. And the Bishop will use the prayer book of the Episcopal Church of Scotland in a service similar to that of the Church of England. Dr. Warr was to take part in the service. Of course, it is said that the St. Giles’ form of service is not really very different from the Episcopal form. And so what does the present-day Church of Scotland stand for? Presbyterianism or Episcopacy? If Presbyterianism, then why are men like Dr. Warr permitted to act as they do by the Courts of the Church. The fact is that the once famous Church of Scotland is committed to a course of endeavour to discover ways and means whereby they can collaborate in worship, etc., with the Church of England. And so to-day fundamental religious principles held to be so by our godly forefathers, are in the “melting pot” of compromise. And the most of Churchmen to-day in Scotland are quite indifferent to it all.
Church Notes.
Communions.
January—Fourth Sabbath, Inverness. February—First Sabbath, Dingwall; third, Stornoway; fourth, North Uist. March—First Sabbath, Ullapool; second, Ness and Portree; third, Finsbay and Lochinver; fourth, Kinlochbervie; fifth, North Tolsta. April—First Sabbath, London, Port-nalong and Breasleate; second, Fort William; third, Greenock; fourth, Glasgow and Wick. May—First Sabbath, Kames and Oban; second, Scourie and Broadford; third, Edinburgh. June—First Sabbath, Tarbert, Applecross, Coigach; second, Shieldaig; third, Lochcarron, Glendale, Helmsdale, Dornoch and Uig; fourth, Inverness and Gairloch. July—First Sabbath, Lairg, Raasay and Beauly; second, Staffin, Tomatin and Tain; third, Halkirk, Rogart, Flashadder and Daviot; fourth, Achmore, Bracadale, North Uist and Plockton. August—First Sabbath, Dingwall; second, Portree and Stratherrick; third, Bonar, Finsbay and Laide; fourth, Stornoway, Vatten and Thurso. September—First Sabbath, Ullapool and Breasleate; second, Strathy; third, Tarbert and Stoer. October—First Sabbath, Tolsta and Lochcarron; second, Gairloch and Ness; third, Applecross; fourth, Greenock, Lochinver and Wick. November—First Sabbath,
Oban and Raasay; second, Glasgow and Halkirk; third, Edinburgh, Dornoch and Uig. December—First Sabbath, London.
We have published above all the Communion dates for the year 1953. Will ministers kindly check the list and forward a note of omissions or corrections to the Editor?
Loyal Address—1952.*
To the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty.
May it Please Your Majesty,
We, the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, convened at Inverness on the twenty-second day of May, Nineteen Hundred and Fifty-two Years, humbly desire to convey to Your Majesty this unfeigned expression of our most sincere loyalty to Your Majesty’s Person and Throne. We do so under a deep sense of the loss sustained by this nation in the death of His Majesty, King George VI, Your Majesty’s Most Excellent Father, and pray that Your Majesty may be given grace for the high station into which Your Majesty, in the Providence of God, has entered.
We feelingly and prayerfully take into consideration the arduous duties which Your Majesty has to perform, and the difficulties with which your path is beset. Our fervent prayer is that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever, may bless Your Majesty, and Your Majesty’s illustrious Consort, His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, in your own persons and in the responsible position which you occupy in the nation, and that He will honour Your Majesty by making you an instrument in His hand, in your exalted station, for upholding the Protestant Constitution of this realm.
We would humbly and dutifully remind Your Majesty that it is only by a humble dependence upon the Lord that Your Majesty’s reign can be prosperous, for the counsel and promise is, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs iii, 6).
On behalf of the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
WILLIAM MACLEAN, Moderator.
Congregational Financial Statements, Kirk Session and Deacons’ Court Records.
Congregational Treasurers are reminded that Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December, 1952, are to be presented to the respective Presbyteries, duly audited, and as soon as convenient. Similarly, Kirk Session and Deacons’ Court Records should be submitted to respective Presbyteries for the annual examination.
Missing Magazine Numbers.
Will any friend who can supply the first six copies of Volume 1 of the Y.P. Magazine send same to Mr. D. J. Gillanders, Arrina, Strathcarron, and much oblige.
* This Loyal Address was inadvertently omitted from Synod Proceedings for 1952.—The Editor.