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, Portnalong and Breasclete; 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, Lochearron, 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, Vatten and Thurso; fifth, Stornoway. September—First Sabbath, Ullapool and Breasclete; second, Strathy; third, Tarbert and Stoer. October—First Sabbath, Tolsta and Lochearron; 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.
Death of Queen Mary—Message of Sympathy.
The following message was sent to Her Majesty the Queen :—
On behalf of the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland I would respectfully tender our sincere sympathy with Your Majesty and with the Royal Family in your bereavement, and the assurance that we remember you all in your sorrow and loss at the Throne of Grace.—(Rev.) WILLIAM MACLEAN, Moderator.
Copy of reply on 30th March, 1953 :—
Buckingham Palace.—I sincerely thank you for your message. Please assure all those for whom you speak that I deeply value their sympathy.—ELIZABETH R.
Synod Meeting.
The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland will meet, God willing, in the Hall of St. Jude’s Church, Glasgow, on Tuesday, the 19th day of May, 1953, at 6.30 p.m., when Rev. William MacLean, M.A., Ness, Lewis, the retiring Moderator, will conduct public worship and preach.—ROBERT R. SINCLAIR, Clerk of Synod.
Vatten Church Appeal.
Some years ago the Vatten section of the Glendale congregation opened a fund for enlarging their Church in order to accommodate the people gathering at Communion seasons. Recently the local Drill Hall, a substantial building of brick and roughcast with asbestos slate, came into the market and was purchased by them for £1,600, which was considered a very reasonable price. Before this building can be fitted up as a Church the figure will be in the region of £2,000, and as no acceptable price has been offered for their present Church, they were under the necessity of having an overdraft in the bank to the extent of £800. On account of the high interest which is being charged it would be desirable to have this debt wiped off as soon as possible, and, therefore, they appeal to friends throughout the Church to help them in this matter. Contributions will be thankfully received by Rev. John Colquhoun, F.P. Manse, Glendale, Skye, or Mr. John Mackay. Tigh-an-eas, Dunvegan, Skye.
The Western Presbytery has cordially endorsed this appeal.
JOHN A. MACDONALD, Moderator.
JOHN COLQUHOUN, Clerk.
Dingwall Church Building Fund.
This appeal from the Dingwall and Beauly joint-congregation is made for help to build free of debt a suitable place of worship in Dingwall. The present building is falling into a state of disrepair. Of late years it was not considered advisable to spend much money in keeping it in repair. The present site is the property of the congregation, but is regarded as unsuitable owing to the cost of clearing it and building a retaining wall to a height of 15 feet. As a site suitable for building purposes cannot be obtained it was agreed to use part of the manse garden. The congregation has already sufficient funds in hand to erect a building which would suffice for all ordinary needs. What is in view is to have a building large enough to accommodate friends who are present on Communion occasions. To accommodate these, the building requires to be more than double the size needed in ordinary circumstances. The plans for such a building have been approved by the Local Government Planning Authorities, and a building licence has been obtained. We, therefore, respectfully appeal to friends in the homeland and to those abroad to send contributions as the Lord may, in His holy providence, enable them so that the building may now be taken in hand and the cost of it speedily defrayed. Contributions should be sent to Mr. Dugald Matheson, “Carminish,” Achany Road, Dingwall, Ross-shire. He will duly acknowledge such in the Church magazine. This appeal is endorsed by the Northern Presbytery, 24th March, 1953.
—REV. A. F. MACKAY, Clerk of Presbytery.
Guthrie’s “Christian’s Great Interest.”
After unavoidable delay, arising from printer’s difficulties, the further issue of this book is now available. Orders should be placed as formerly direct to Messrs. N. Adshead & Son, 34 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, or the General Treasurer, Mr. J. Grant, 14 Millburn Road, Inverness (price 4/-; postage 4d. extra).—W. G.