A Message to our Readers.
To all our readers, at home and abroad, at the beginning of another year, 1958, we extend our prayerful good wishes, that they enjoy the blessing of the Lord, out of the fulness of His grace in Christ Jesus. This is what alone enriches the soul for time and eternity. As we write we think of our people and friends, not only at home in Britain, but of those in Canada, America, Australia, New Zealand, and in our African Mission at Ingwenya, Zenka and Mbuma, Southern Rhodesia. The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland has its links throughout quite a large part of the world, although comparatively a small denomination; and we trust this magazine, under the Lord’s blessing, keeps those who are interested in spiritual things and the testimony for Christ and His truth, in touch with the continued witness of our Church, in a day of widespread wickedness, apostacy, much superficial and false Christianity.
We would inform our readers that for some years now, we hear once and again from gracious and exercised Christians belonging to the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, that they seek to feel thankful that there is such a Church with its Scriptural doctrines, worship and practices; albeit there is no perfection here. Imperfections there are, but cleave to your Church, whether at home or abroad; and primarily, of course, to Christ and His precious, infallible Word, as you value your soul and its spiritual welfare. None of us know what the days and months ahead may hold for us of difficult duties and trying experiences, if spared in the divine providence and kindness. May burdened and tried readers and friends be enabled by the Spirit to turn to the Rock, Christ Himself, who is higher than they. In Him they can find consolations of love and fellowship, and divine strength.
On the other hand, we would enjoin upon our Christian readers to examine themselves, as the days go by, as to the worthiness of God to be praised and thanked for spiritual and gospel blessings and benefits experienced, and for mercies new every day in providence. And, further, we would emphasise to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and who read these pages, that they would give themselves more than ever to prayer in secret, seeking the continual aid of the Spirit of Grace and of supplications. Pray, in the name of the Redeemer, more earnestly than ever, for an outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit upon God’s servants and people, and upon Christless sinners, in connection with the ordinances of the gospel. Satan will, no doubt, be as determined during the year 1958, as in the recent past, to attract the multitudes of old and young to all manner of evil, by old and new methods and means. We need God’s help to watch for ourselves and to warn others against his snares and traps. Let those who name the name of the Lord in these dark days be concerned to walk wisely toward those that are without, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. May great grace be upon us all.
Representatives of Different Denominations in Fellowship.
Under this heading we shall do little more than quote. First of all, from the opening article in The Monthly Record of the Free Church of Scotland for December, viz., “The evangelicals in Scotland also need fellowship in these testing days if they are not to lose the keen edge of their zeal and fervour. Ways and means must be found for providing that link between like-minded brethren that will draw them closer together in the bonds of a common faith.”
Secondly, from the report in The Monthly Record of the Free Church, of the ordination and induction of Rev. A. P. W. Fraser to Elgin Free Church, in November, viz., “Rev. H. Firth, rector of the Episcopal Church, Elgin, Rev. G. M. Graham, minister of the Baptist Church, Elgin, and Rev. J. F. Scott, assistant in St. Giles Church, Elgin, . . . attended the ordination service and the function at the George Restaurant. . . . Rev. Murdoch Macphail, Mr. Graham and Mr. Scott spoke some words of congratulation and encouragement. At the evening meeting very cordial messages of welcome were given by Rev. W. M. Macartney, M.A., minister of St. Giles Church of Scotland, Elgin, Rev. J. W. Evans, M.A., minister of the High Church of Scotland, Elgin, and Lt. Gallan, Salvation Army, Elgin.”
The third quotation is from a letter in the Stornoway Gazette of 3rd December, 1957, headed, “Another Church Union.” The quotation is: “As recently as the end of last month (October) in the “Church Notices” in the Inverness Courier, Prof. R. A. Finlayson, Editor of the Free Church Record, was advertised to preach in the Free North Church at 11 a.m. and 12.15 p.m. and in the West Church of Scotland at 6.30 p.m. the same day. On the same date the preacher they had conducting the regular 11 a.m. service in the East Church of Scotland was advertised to preach in the Free North Church at 6.30 p.m., which was the regular evening service that same Sabbath.
“The same Prof. Finlayson of the Free Church was advertised in the Glasgow Herald on October 12th to preach ‘Anniversary services’ at 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. in Adelaide Place Baptist Church, Glasgow.”
Free Presbyterian readers, and, if so be, Free Church readers of these quotations are left to judge for themselves what they think of the professed Free Church witness of which we hear frequently. It seems that at Elgin the Roman Catholic priest, if there be a local one, was practically the only ecclesiastic not invited. “Can two walk together except they be agreed?”
Lord Pakenham and Roman Catholic Heritage.
It seems that Lord Pakenham is a convert to the delusions and deceits of the Romish faith. During last November, he addressed a meeting of Roman Catholic men in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh. He exhorted his hearers to play some part in public affairs at some level. Speaking of the importance of example, Lord Pakenham said, “As Catholics they possessed a priceless heritage, which it was their duty to offer to their brethren of whatever denomination in this country or abroad.” We do not think Lord Pakenham could have known, or remembered, that Protestants are not looked upon or treated as “brethren” in present day Spain and in South America. Many are being given a bitter taste of the awful heritage of the Papacy, persecution. Lord Pakenham may have used the smooth tongue type of Romish talk in Edinburgh, but better far for him to devote his influence to calling a halt to the abominable treatment of Protestants in other parts of the world.
Annual Report of Trinitarian Bible Society.
This Report has been issued from the headquarters of the Society as the one hundred-and-twenty-sixth Annual Report of the Society. This Report costs one shilling. In it, we find in detail an account of the Society’s activities and also finances for the year ended March 31st, 1957.
It appears that the 1957 Annual Meeting in May, 1957, “proved to be the best attended for many years, much to the encouragement of all who have the interests of the Society at heart.” The Report states: “Vast changes have taken place since the Society commenced its work in 1831. . . . Today the Society still stands firmly upon those sure foundations laid by the godly men who originated it, and it is the one Bible Society which, in its very title, proclaims its adherence to those doctrines and principles which, through the ages, have been the strength of the Church of God, and the glory of His grace.” As to circulation, the Report states, “Over a quarter-of-a-million Scriptures have been circulated during the year, a total about equal to that of previous years, but owing to heavily increased costs of production and carriage, expenditure this year has been greater than income.” Without quoting more of the Report, it is, of course, true that the Trinitarian Bible Society is doing a most valuable work in connection with the spreading of the precious Word of God throughout the world; but let our readers note that costs of all kinds have risen, in printing, etc., as we well know. And so the Trinitarian Bible Society needs increased practical financial support. Will our readers kindly note this. We wish the Society God’s continued favour and blessing. The Society’s address is 7 Bury Place, Bloomsbury, London, W.C.1.
Romanism and the American State Department.
The Converted Catholic of New York is a monthly magazine edited and controlled by ex-Romanist priests, and is distinguished for its meticulous regard for accuracy of statement, and consequent reliability. The following quotation is from an article in the October, 1957, issue, relative to the Romanised position of the State Department at Washington:—”The recent alteration in the Romanist Church’s attitude (towards U.S.A. participation in war) is undoubtedly attributable to her increasing control over State Department policy, so that now she is practically assured of the use of America’s armed forces, rather than advocating isolationism, in the furtherance of her schemes throughout the world. In other words, she considers the U.S.A. to be ‘the sword of the Papacy,’ a description once applied by the Pope to Germany. Of only incidental importance is the circumstance that our heavily Romanised State Department is at present administered by a Secretary with a Jesuit son. Vatican control of the Department is of much longer standing than the present Administration, and is merely one phase of Rome’s domination of all our (U.S.A.) Government departments.
“Were the Pope ever to achieve a concordat with Moscow the Romanist Church’s professed enmity toward Communism would reverse in a day.” Long since the present writer expressed the views now published by the Converted Catholic, both with regard to the State Department at Washington as a mere annexe of the Vatican, and also about Rome’s pretended opposition to Communism. If it would suit the Pope’s international policy he would make a somersault compromise, and sign a concordat with the Kremlin tomorrow.
J. P. MACQUEEN.