Young Liberals with Undesirable Ideas.
There was published in London, in March, a booklet entitled “New Orbits,” by Liberal Students and Young Liberals, setting forth their views on a great variety of subjects which they consider the Liberal Political Party should seriously consider and probably adopt. Under a main heading—”Home Office Reforms,” the Young Liberals begin by asking the question: “To what extent should the State intervene in the moral life of the citizen?” What follows reveals the deplorable attitude of these most liberally minded political Liberals. They state, “The Sunday Observance Laws should be repealed lock, stock and barrel”; “Betting shops, which already exist in Glasgow and Carlisle, should be made legal”: “Pubs should be free to open when they please”; “The recommendations of the Wolfenden Report should be enacted: Homosexual relations between consenting adults should no longer be a criminal offence”; “Divorce by consent should be introduced . . .”; “The abolition of the Death Penalty . . . should also be carried out.” Surely this list of desired Reforms, reveals the deformity of the thinking and aims of young Liberals who affect to influence policy in the official Liberal Party of today. Here is liberalism completely adrift from recognition of the claims of the law of God, and the requirements of Christian doctrine and practice. Bad as things are within our Realm, as to religion and morals; yet the young Liberal proposers of the aforesaid reprehensible ideas, if they would get their way, would bring our nation much lower than it is religiously and morally. We do not know whether this publication has involved Young Liberals in Scotland or not. It is published by the Joint Political Committee of the National League of Young Liberals and the Union of Liberal Students. It is incumbent upon us in these columns to refrain from what is called Party Politics. But on religious grounds, we are bound in conscience to condemn out and out the National League of Young Liberals.
Trinitarian Bible Society Attacked.
In “The Northern Chronicle” of Inverness, and on April 8th 1959, there appeared a report of an Address by Rev. Dr. Alex. Morrison, of Logie-Easter, Ross-shire, given to the Inverness Presbytery of the Church of Scotland. He spoke as one of the National Bible Society’s directors for the Northern area of Scotland. As the following letter reveals Rev. Dr. Alex. Morrison made statements critical of the Trinitarian Bible Society, which the Free Presbyterian Church officially supports. Dr. Morrison did not mention the actual name of the T. B. Society but referred to it as “That society.” We are bound to mention here that “The Northern Chronicle” refused to publish a reply to Dr. Morrison by the Secretary of the Trinitarian Bible Society; and this action we wish our readers in the North and West to note as worthy of serious criticism. The Secretary’s letter on the matter to “The Inverness Courier” is printed below.—Editor.
The Editor,
“Inverness Courier” Office,
Inverness,
Scotland.
Trinitarian Bible Society,
7 Bury Place,
London, W.C.1.
28th April, 1959
Dear Sir,
During the last few years it has been my privilege to travel extensively in Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands in my itineraries. Many Gaelic congregations have welcomed me as a friend, overwhelmed me with their kindness, astonished me with their generosity and impressed me with their evident regard for the truth.
It was therefore with great sorrow and surprise that we read in an issue of “The Northern Chronicle” a report of an address by the Rev. Dr. Alex. Morrison containing a number of statements which were neither kind, nor generous, nor true. It is implied
- That the Trinitarian Bible Society has made attempts to draw the allegiance of some congregations away from the National Bible Society of Scotland.
- That the Trinitarian Bible Society is a “rival Society.”
- That the Trinitarian Bible Society has been guilty of a “glaring inconsistency” in obtaining Gaelic Bibles from the National Bible Society of Scotland.
These allegations are entirely unwarranted and untrue. Those Scottish congregations which contribute to the T.B.S. were deeply concerned when the constitution of the N.B.S.S. was altered to admit of the circulation of versions in English other than the A.V. These friends exercised their own independent judgement and initiative and transferred their support to the T.B.S. For many years they contributed to the funds with exemplary liberality, and in 1956 we in London felt that it was incumbent upon us to establish personal contact with each interested congregation to give an account of our stewardship, to acknowledge their generous gifts, and to explain the principles and
work of our Society. We are not in any way concerned with the dispute between the Scottish congregations and the N.B.S.S. and we have made no overtures to any congregation not already supporting our Society.
The suggestion that the T.B.S. is a “rival Society” seems somewhat ungracious and contentious. Our one desire is to promote the world-wide circulation of trustworthy translations of the Holy Scriptures, and we rejoice to know that the N.B.S.S. has been enabled to circulate so many copies during the year. There are many smaller societies in England and overseas engaged in the distribution of the Scriptures. We do not regard these as our rivals, but rather as our friends, and as a token of our friendship we often supply them with the Scriptures below cost price or even freely.
There are many stars in the heavens, penetrating the darkness of the world’s night with their lustrous harmony. Likewise in the sacred task of sending forth the light of God’s Word it is unseemly to speak in commercial terms of competition and “rivalry.”
The charge of “glaring inconsistency” is quite incomprehensible. The T.B.S. does not publish a Gaelic Bible at present but this does not hinder us from circulating it. Our constitution does not limit our circulation to translations printed and published by the Society. When we are asked for Gaelic Bibles, we obtain these from the publisher and pass them on to the customer. This is entirely consistent with our basis, which affirms our desire “to promote the circulation of Protestant or uncorrupted versions of the Word of God.”
We trust that these explanations will help to clarify the position and that Dr. Morrison will wish to exemplify that charity which “rejoiceth in the truth,” by withdrawing his groundless assertions. We trust also that it will not be inconsistent with your editorial policy to permit us to state our case in your columns, concluding with a word of invitation—
The Trinitarian Bible Society cordially invites the prayerful and practical interest of all who reverently cherish the Bible as the Word of God, acknowledge its gracious doctrines and desire its circulation throughout the world.
I am, Your sincerely,
TERENCE H. BROWN,
Secretary.
Crime and Temptation.
In the House of Lords on 8th April, Lord Pakenham said that our crime total was roughly twice what it was before the war. Lord Templewood in speaking in the debate made a very substantial point when he said, “Crime has increased in this country because temptation has increased, and the power to resist has not been strong enough to combat it.” The fact of temptation from films and television was referred to. But many other sources might be mentioned. The fact
is that the Word and Law of God are lightly esteemed by all sections of society, and what can be expected but laxity in moral thinking and conduct throughout the Nation. Rulers and ruled in ignoring the claims of God and the guidance of His holy Word, may turn to many expedients to deal with crime but failure awaits their efforts. May God raise up persons in places of National responsibility, to fearlessly and intelligently counsel the Nation, the Churches, and the fathers and mothers of the present day, to turn back to the Bible as the infallible Word of God, and to consider the binding obligation of the law of God upon us all. Yet we need the Holy Spirit to be poured upon us as a backsliding people, that there would be a great mourning over sin throughout the length and breadth of the land. National crime calls for National repentance.
Mormons at Work in Scotland.
In a recent issue we noted the opening of a new palatial Mormon Temple in the South of England, and gave some authentic facts regarding the evil origin of mormonism in America. Now we read in the press that two young men are presently in Aberdeen acting as Mormon Missionaries for a period of six months. One is from Salt Lake City, and the other from Idaho, U.S.A. When they came to the City of Aberdeen at the end of April, they went to the Town House to meet the Lord Provost. If the Lord Provost was religiously alert and discerning on the side of Biblical Christianity, he would have told these young false prophets that we had no need for them to come over the Atlantic to add to the false and erroneous doctrines already rife in Scotland, because the pure gospel of Christ crucified is so much despised. There was a day in Scotland when informed people would abhor the very mention of the word “mormonism.” They have “up to date” beliefs, but the origin of this American Sect is based on the lies and deceptions of a Joseph Smith and a man Brigham Young. Satan is using many kinds of weapons to weaken the gospel Kingdom.
Propaganda for Buddha.
We have received a typed circular statement dealing, in a manner, with present day World affairs. In this lengthy document it is asserted that in May there was to be a major crisis in World affairs. It goes on: “On the day of the Full Moon of May the great Buddhist Festival of Wesak is celebrated”; and it is suggested that at this time during a World Day of Prayer, The Buddha as well as Christ should be invoked. So here again we have Satan operating against Christ and His divine honour, by the printed page sent through the post. It would seem as if the Devil today was actively engaged in every conceivable way endeavouring to build up his Kingdom of darkness and as if imminent danger threatened his cursed Kingdom. May the time soon come when the gospel of Christ in great power will be the means of destroying from the earth Anti-Christ, paganism and idolatry and all the soul-destroying ‘isms’ which are abroad upon the earth.
Literary Notices.
“Where Modernism Begins”: by Rev. H. J. Blair, B.A., The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland: Copies (3d. each: 2/- per dozen) obtainable from Rev. F. S. Leahy, 468 Ravenhill, Belfast, N. Ireland. This publication of 8 pages, in good type, deals principally with the abandonment of the Book of Psalms by many, as the divinely given manual of praise in the worship of God, and the use of uninspired hymns in their place. The writer contends that herein lies the danger of undermining belief in the Inspiration of God’s Word and the liability to propagate erroneous doctrine. Mr. Blair sets down some very interesting and telling arguments. We think his reference on page 8 to God using even the preaching of modernists for good is unfortunate, in his line of argument regarding the imperfect and perfect instrument which God may use to bless men. But he is unswervingly for the perfect instrument of praise, Divinely provided.
Two articles on John Calvin are printed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland in a publication of 16 pages. The articles are: “Did Calvin Advocate Theocracy,” by Marc Cheneviere, Doctor of Jurisprudence, Geneva; and an article on “Calvin’s Social Consciousness” by Rev. F. S. Leahy. The first of these articles extends to 8 pages, and deals in an able manner with Calvinistic views of the Christian Church in the world, and the relation of the State to the Church and the Church to the State. The second article is of 4 pages, and its purpose is to show that Calvin’s gospel in its application to men, their manners, and mode of living in Geneva, had social implications. Civil order, administration of justice, morals, learning, hospitality etc., were matters of utmost importance to Calvin. Also included in this publication is a poem on “Calvin” by Rev. Dr. L. MacLean Watt, of the Church of Scotland, Lochcarron, Scotland. As far as we know, the Rev. Dr. was never famed in Scotland as a witness to Calvinistic doctrine. The publication is headed “John Calvin,” price 1/- per copy: and to be had from Rev. F. S. Leahy, 468 Ravenhill Road, Belfast.