The New Parliament.
At the time of writing General Election activities are beginning, and it is likely that the Election will be over by the time this issue appears. It is to be hoped that many will be returned as Members of Parliament who will have a real, personal, and conscientious concern for the religious and moral welfare of Britain. Crime, juvenile delinquency, opposition to laws on the side of the Sabbath, and the endeavours of the Roman Catholic Church to obtain increased and unjustifiable benefits in Education grants etc., are matters which endanger the nation and need to be surveyed and dealt with in a Christian and firm manner. And we need rulers who will see to it that our Protestant Throne and Constitution are preserved inviolate. There are many forces at work to relax civil and legal restraints upon what the Word of God clearly condemns as evil. A Parliament which will compromise with these influences, will but weaken the foundation of our Nation, however praiseworthy their work in international, economic and social welfare matters. The injunction is to pray for all in authority.
The Press and Sabbath Laws.
The London, “Daily Mirror” of August 25th, 1959, devoted three pages to unholy attacks upon existing legislation which restrains Sabbath desecration. The front page heading was “D— Silly Moth-Eaten Laws.” What a disgraceful heading for a British daily paper! Among other statements in heavy type the following appeared: “Who is the political party leader with the courage to promise to sweep aside the out of date laws, however difficult the job may be, and however many cranks, busybodies, and pressure groups have to be slapped down in the process?” These words reveal religious persecution, or persecution of religious principles, in the embryo. Those in Britain who are for conserving the Lord’s Day are marked out as “cranks” and should be suppressed, according to the “Daily Mirror.” “Marvel not if the World hate you,” said Christ to His disciples.
Another Relic of Rome.
At the end of July, last, in Trier, West Germany, the R.C. Archbishop of Cologne, unveiled what is called the Holy Robe of Trier, believed by Roman Catholics to be the seamless garment worn by Christ for which the Roman soldiers cast lots at the Crucifixion. A congregation of 4000 watched the ceremony. Once again it appears that Roman Catholics will believe anything, however fantastic, when required by their priests. They are under the influence of a strong delusion, that they may believe a lie. What they (and we all) need, is a view by faith of the spotless robe of Christ’s justifying righteousness. Luther discovered this and the Reformation in Germany began.
Quiet Penetration.
It was made known in September that the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland had drawn the attention of the Shetland Presbytery to an article in the Roman Catholic publication, “The Universe.” In this article the following appeal appeared: “Wanted for an island with no Catholics and which would reject a priest, an apostolic layman or woman who would undertake some form of social work and at the same time quietly introduce the faith. The island is Foula with a population of 51.” The article envisaged the Roman Catholic settling on the island as a nurse, doctor, crofter or teacher who would work quietly at their calling, and at the same time propagate Romanism. The Presbytery Clerk stated that a priest named J. Whitaker, from Berwick, had visited Foula, and that the Presbytery would note the matter. We trust the people of Foula, and other parts of Shetland also, will study their Bibles and also make themselves acquainted with the errors and delusions of Romish teaching, that if it confronts them in a quiet subtle way they will discern it at once. Shetland has no need of the faith which persecutes Protestants in Spain and Colombia and which would introduce the dark and dictatorial rule of the priest. No doubt Shetlanders have plenty of problems without these added burdens. Foula is not the only sphere Romanists wish to penetrate. They are working hard and subtly to insinuate themselves into every part of this Protestant Nation. Many are asleep to this; but there are many also on the alert to this danger, by the grace of God.