Communions.
January—Fifth 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 Breaselete; 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 Bealy; 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 Breaselete; 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; third, Halkirk, Edinburgh, Dornoch and Uig. December—First Sabbath, London.
We have published above all the Communion dates for the year 1954. Will ministers kindly check the list and forward a note of omissions or corrections to the Editor.
The Death of Rev. Donald Beaton.
Once again we have to record, with much grief, the death of another of the fathers of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Three months ago we noted the death of the Rev. Neil MacIntyre; and now we have received the sad news of the Rev. Donald Beaton’s death, which took place at the Free Presbyterian Manse, Evelix, Dornoch, on Thursday, the 12th November, 1953, at 9 a.m. Since his retirement as a pastor of a congregation, Mr. Beaton had resided with his son-in-law, Rev. Finlay MacLeod, and Mrs. Finlay MacLeod, his only daughter, at their home in the Evelix Manse. The aged servant of the Lord was lovingly and most carefully cared for and latterly nursed during a protracted period of progressive weakness until the end came. Mrs. MacLeod was deeply indebted to Dr. A. E. D. MacLeod, Dornoch, and the District Nurse, Miss M. Graham, for their constant and unfailing professional attention given to her late father. Mr. Beaton was 81 years of age on the 23rd of October this year. He was pastor of Wick congregation for 29 years. Thereafter he was called to Oban and was minister there for 18 years until he retired five years ago. Almost from the beginning of the Church’s existence, he served as a Tutor of Theology with the ability and distinction which is well known throughout the Church. He was Editor of the Free Presbyterian Magazine from the time of the late Rev. J. S. Sinclair’s death in 1921 until about 1949; and held the office of Clerk of Synod from 1921 until 1931, when he resigned this office. He brought to these duties and labours, graces and gifts bestowed upon him by his Lord and Master, whom he served so faithfully during the greater part of his life. His wife predeceased him two and a half years ago, and he is survived by two sons and his daughter, Mrs. Finlay MacLeod. We extend to the family, the son-in-law, Rev. Finlay MacLeod, and grandchildren, and other relatives the deep and sincere sympathy of Church friends in this land and abroad. May the comfort of the grace of the Lord Jesus be granted them. The Church and Cause of Christ among us has lost one who laboured abundantly as a preacher of the glorious gospel of Christ, and in the other ways already indicated. Mr. Beaton has now entered into the rest promised and prepared by God for His people in heaven, which is “to be with Christ.” May others be raised up by the Holy Spirit to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. “Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children” (Ps. xlv. 26). An obituary will appear later.
Congregational Financial Statements.
Congregational treasurers throughout the Church are reminded to present their financial statements for year ending 31st December, 1953, to their respective Presbyteries through the Clerks as soon as convenient at the beginning of 1954.
Kirk Session and Deacon’s Court Records.
The Kirk Session and Deacon’s Court records are due to be presented for annual examination to Presbyteries at the beginning of 1954, at the same time as financial statements, for convenience sake.
Mr. Edwin Radasi’s Case.
The Synod of the Church, at its meeting in Glasgow on 21st May, 1953, dealt with matters affecting the conduct of the then Rev. Edwin Radasi of the Ingwenya Mission, Africa. The following resolution was passed and carried into effect, according to the law of the Church:— “Having regard to the fact that Rev. Edwin Radasi has committed an act of deliberate insubordination by disobeying the orders of the Foreign Missions Committee, and in attempting to save himself from the inevitable consequences of his disobedience took the extreme step of sending in his resignation to the Northern Presbytery, and further that he has constituted himself a fugitive from discipline by leaving his post without informing the Church of his whereabouts; the Synod cannot but regard such conduct on the part of an ordained minister of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland as most serious, most reprehensible, and most ungrateful. The Synod therefore considers it to be its solemn duty to depose the said Edwin Radasi from the office of the ministry.”—ROBERT R. SINCLAIR, Clerk of Synod.
Guthrie’s “Christian’s Great Interest.”
A further issue of this excellent book has been printed. Copies can be had at 4/- (4/4d. post free).