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, London and North Tolsta. April—First Sabbath, Breasclete, Portnalong and Fort William; third, Greenock; fourth, Glasgow and Wick. May—First Sabbath, Kames and Oban; second, Scourie; third, Edinburgh and Broadford. June—First Sabbath, Tarbert, Applecross, Coigach; second, Shieldaig; third, Lochcarron, Glendale, Helmsdale, Dornoch and Uig; fourth, Gairloch and 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 and Thurso; fifth, Stornoway. 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 Communion dates for year 1959, should be sent AT ONCE to the Editor, that the above List may be corrected. This will save inconvenience later on.—Editor.
Day of Prayer.
Will Ministers and Missionaries at home, and Congregations abroad take note of the following Notice from the Synod of May, 1959, viz.,
“That a Day of Humiliation and Prayer be observed on the 14th or 15th October, 1959, because of the serious state of affairs internationally and the widespread moral and religious backsliding within our nation.”—Robert R. Sinclair, Clerk of Synod.
Ordination at Stornoway.
A large congregation gathered from near and far to witness the solemn and impressive service of the ordination of the Rev. A. Macdonald, M.A., in the Stornoway Free Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, 21st August, 1959, at 7 p.m.
Rev. J. A. Tallach, Moderator, preached most suitably from II. Cor. 4, 14 “for the Love of Christ, constraineth us.” After public worship the Moderator gave a brief but interesting account of the particular steps and Providences leading up to Mr. Macdonald’s ordination. In so doing, he made touching reference to the service and death of our late beloved missionary in Southern Rhodesia. After the appointed questions were asked and answered satisfactorily, the Rev. A. Macdonald signed the formula. Then, in presence of the congregation, the young minister knelt down and was solemnly ordained by prayer and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, to work in the mission of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in Rhodesia, with full power to dispense the sacraments of the church and perform marriages.
The Clerk then addressed the newly ordained pastor, and the Rev. D. MacLean, Portree, Clerk of the Foreign Mission’s committee who was associated with the Presbytery spoke of Rev. A. Macdonald’s future activities on the mission field, D.V.
The service was closed with the singing of Ps. 68 from verse 31 to the end of the psalm.
It is our earnest prayer that God will bless abundantly Mr. Macdonald’s labours in Southern Rhodesia.—F. MacDonald, Clerk of the Outer Isles Presbytery.
Books to Hospitals.
The following are extracts from some of the letters received acknowledging parcels of our Church books sent from donations:—
Bedford. “Thank you very much indeed for the kind present of books you sent for the hospital. We have a number of long term elderly female patients and I know that those who are well enough to read will enjoy the books, and we are asked by patients in the other wards sometimes for this type of book.” Golspie. “I am sure the books will be much appreciated by the patients.” Inverness. “Thank you very much for the gift of new books. There is a great need for this type of book . . .” Durham. “They will be a useful addition and greatly appreciated.” Bangour. “We do appreciate the generosity and kindness behind your gift, and I shall be grateful if you will pass on our sincere thanks.”
Australian Deputy arrives Home.
Rev. William MacLean, M.A., the Church’s recent deputy to Australia and New Zealand, arrived in Scotland on the 16th September, 1959, and in good health. There is great reason for gratitude to the Most High for His goodness and mercy to Mr. MacLean.
Tracts.
“God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of Jesus Christ” at 1d. Extracts from Rev. Donald MacFarlane, John Owen, D.D., etc.
“The Singing of Psalms in the worship of God” at 3d. by R. J. George, D.D., William Romaine etc.
“Instrumental Music in the New Testament Church” at 2d. by Rev. Donald Beaton etc.
“Standing at Prayer” at 1d. by Rev. H. C. B. Bazeley.
“The Scripturalness of Sprinkling in Baptism” at 1d. by Rev. W. A. MacKay, D.D., Woodstock, Ontario (1896), Dr. McCrie etc.
“Hold Fast the Form of Sound Words” at 1d. by J. A. James and J. C. Ryle, D.D.
“Thy People shall be Willing in the Day of Thy Power” at 2d. A sermon by Rev. William C. Burns, M.A.
“The Christian’s Firm Bank” a poem by Rev. Lachlan MacKenzie, together with another poem “The Engineer” at 1d.
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The above tracts extracted from old writers, are published by The Westminster Standard, 183 Rutene Road, Gisborne, New Zealand from whom they can be obtained. A limited supply can be had from the General Treasurer, Inverness.