Money spent in Gambling.
According to recent authentic figures, gambling in Britain increased by £13 million last year to a total of £568 million. The biggest increase of cash outlay in gambling was said to be on what are called football pools. Whatever gamblers themselves say, supported by the modern view of freedom of action for all, in support of gambling, we are firmly of the opinion that the increasing number of cases of embezzlement by people in posts of responsibility, of safe-blowing, of Post Office and Bank robberies, are to a great extent the actions of gamblers who have lost all their means and are desperate for money. No doubt other wicked motives are behind these crimes; but whereas the drunkard may spend a few pounds in a night ruining himself, the gambler may lose a hundred pounds in one day. Gambling is a pernicious and evil disease. As to football pools, most of households throughout the kingdom spend a certain amount of money each week regularly, endeavouring to obtain a fortune or at least much more than they spend. Multitudes of unemployed persons, many obtaining Government public assistance, and many others who haven’t a decent coat to their back, are spending sums of money every week on horse-racing and football pools. And yet this terrible moral and social evil is encouraged and not condemned from Government level downwards.
A Roman Catholic Aspires to United States Presidency.
We understand that in America it has always been held that a Roman Catholic could never become President. But Protestants in Britain and in America know full well, that the overthrow of Rome’s power in many European countries, has intensified Rome’s drive for place and power where the freedom afforded by Protestant principles prevails. Mr. John F. Kennedy, Senator from Massachusetts, is said to be the leading contender for nomination by next year’s Democratic Convention. He is being kept before the public more than any other aspirant to the White House. He is being closely watched in the U.S.A., because he is a Roman Catholic. And we in Britain are not by any means disinterested, and especially from the religious aspect of the possible election of such a man. Say what they like, the Roman Catholic layman in power is dominated by his first loyalty to the false claims and demands of the Pope. Then his political policy will by no means favour such a Protestant nation as Britain still is, although this might be well hidden under cover. We trust and pray that Rome will not succeed in having a puppet in the White House.
Timely Criticism of Spain’s treatment of Protestants.
We were gratified to read recently a report from the House of Commons relative to complaints of discrimination against Protestants in Spain, which were made both by Conservative and Labour M.P.’s. Sir Godfrey Nicolson (Con. Farnham) appeared to press the matter with understanding. Mr. Robert Allan, Under Secretary, Foreign Office, evaded the issue by requiring that those persecuted be British subjects before Her Majesty’s Government could take any action. Sir Frank Medlicott (Nat. L.C. Norfolk) said that the discrimination was against Protestants as such. Further “This is coming very close to a denial of freedom of worship. Will you remind the Spanish Authorities that we are living in the twentieth century and not in the Middle Ages,” said Sir Frank. Mr. Allan replied that if the Protestants were Spaniards, then the British Government had no locus standi. If they were British subjects, then action could be taken. Sir Godfrey Nicolson then gave the Government and Mr. Allan of the Foreign Office a telling and realistic reproof when he said—”Are you saying that Her Majesty’s Government is completely dis-interested in this condition of religious persecution in a European State with whom we have tolerably friendly relations?” There was no reply. These M.P.’s knew what they were saying, as it is now common knowledge that Protestants are persecuted in various ways in Spain, and we should be in sympathy with Spanish Protestants. Words fail to express the reaction of our mind in a calm manner when we think of the freedom enjoyed by the minority of Roman Catholics in Britain, and the evil and wicked restrictions placed upon Protestants in Spain. As Sir Frank Medlicott referred to the Middle Ages—the law of the Roman Catholic Middle Ages still obtains in Spain.
Cinema Attendances Decline.
Cinema attendance in Britain during 1958 totalled 754 millions—161 millions fewer than in 1957. It is expected that this decline in attendance will continue. It may be said that Television in the homes is accounting for this. Whatever the reason, the cinemas did untold harm to multitudes and made millionaires of vain persons, and were and are instruments of Satan, and it is some relief to the Christian community that many are closing down. The world themselves get tired of one “broken cistern” after another.
Church of Scotland Gateway Theatre.
A recent play in the Church of Scotland Theatre, in Edinburgh, called “The Enchanted,” concerned the love of a young girl for a ghost and her gradual transfer of affection to her flesh and blood suitor. This is the rubbish which the Church supports and so-called ministers of the Gospel seek to defend. We are getting back to the Middle Ages indeed!
Easter Services in Presbyterian Churches.
The determination of many Church of Scotland Clergy to assist in bringing back the people of Scotland to Episcopacy was made evident by a survey of Notices of Church services in “The Scotsman,” for Edinburgh Churches, on March 28th, 1959. The headings “Easter Sunday,” “Easter Day,” “Easter Services” appearing in many of the congregational notices. In one town in the North a joint “Easter Service” was held in the evening of what Episcopalians and others call “Good Friday.” Do these people have weekly prayer-meetings? We do not know of them. Formality in religion is the fashion.
A further Criticism of the Scottish Reformation Society.
What officials of the Scottish Reformation Society do, must inevitably affect the Society itself. Rev. J. Blair Gillon, M.A., Secretary of the above Society was advertised to take part in an afternoon and evening service in the Barclay Church, Edinburgh, on what is called “Easter Sunday.” And “Easter Communion” was advertised to take place in that Church at the morning service. Whoever would countenance a minister and a congregation holding “Easter Communion” and designated as such, the Scottish Reformation Society Secretary should be one of the last to do this. But no! Surely Rev. J. Blair Gillon knows that the Scottish Reformation under John Knox eliminated the celebration of Easter as a tool of Episcopacy. We are tempted to prolong this note, but suffice to say that we have been dismayed and disgusted in the recent past with several matters in connection with this so-called Scottish Reformation Society. We have previously referred to these matters in these columns. Now the Secretary favours the celebration of Easter. There seems also to be a conspiracy of silence on the part of those officially connected with the Society. To us, this Society is surely in need of reformation.