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, Achmore, Portnalong, Fort William, Stoer and London; third, Greenock; fourth, Glasgow and Wick. May—First Sabbath, Kames and Oban; second, Scourie; third, Edinburgh. June—First Sabbath, Tarbert, Applecross, Coigach; second, Shieldaig; third, Lochcarron, Glendale, Helmsdale, Dornoch and Uig; fourth, Gairloch and Broadford; fifth, Inverness. 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 and Vancouver (Canada); second, Portree and Stratherrick; third, Bonar, Finsbay and Laide; fourth, Vatten; fifth, Stornoway and Thurso. September—First Sabbath, Ullapool and Breasclete; second, Strathy; third, Tarbert and Stoer; fourth, Applecross. October—First Sabbath, Tolsta and Lochcarron; second, Gairloch and Ness; fourth, Greenock, Lochinver and Wick. November—First Sabbath, Oban and Raasay; second, Glasgow and Halkirk; third, Edinburgh, Dornoch and Uig. December—First Sabbath, London.
SPECIAL NOTICE: All changes in above Communion dates to be notified to Editor, for 1958 (D.V.).
Opening of New Church in Broadford.
Throughout the years since 1893, a small band of people have remained faithful to the principles and testimony of the Free Presbyterian Church in the village of Broadford, Isle of Skye. In the past they have worshipped in the School, so it was with a great sense of satisfaction and gratitude to the Most High that, on 18th June, a new Church was opened for the public worship of God. The new building, which is a substantial one and tastefully designed, is seated for a little over 200 people. Most of the work was carried out by men in the congregation, and reflects the highest credit to their skill and diligence as well as their ability for hard work.
Rev. James MacLeod, Greenock, preached an appropriate sermon from Psalm lxxxix. 5-6. “And of Zion it shall be said, This man and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.” A large congregation, gathered from all parts of the island as well as from Applecross, Raasay and Kyle, filled the Church to capacity. The vestry, porch and passage of the Church were packed with people, while many had to turn away due to there being no room for them. Revs. J. A. MacDonald, Raasay; J. P. MacQueen, London; A. Murray, Applecross; D. A. MacLean, Bracadale, were also able to be present on the occasion.
Rev. D. MacLean, Portree, the Interim-moderator of the congregation, gave an outline of the way in which the building of the Church had been undertaken and expressed the many fears felt by this small collection of people in beginning to build. These fears had all been wonderfully disappointed and the congregation were deeply grateful to the workmen for their labours and to friends all over the Church for their financial support, which left an estimated debt of £600 on the opening date. He was confident that the Lord who had so wonderfully provided up till now would provide for the future. “The silver is mine and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts.” (Haggai ii. 8.)
Now that a Church has been provided for the Broaford people, where the worship of God will be conducted according to His Word, our desire and prayer is that the Lord would grant His blessing so that many souls would be born again and the Cause of Christ flourish.
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which they servant prayeth before thee this day.” (1 Kings viii. 27-28.)
D. MACLEAN.