In the Church of Scotland Synod of Clydesdale recently, Rev. Alan G. Hasson, of Bonhill, Dumbartonshire, proposed that a “friendly, direct approach” be made to the Pope to end the persecution of
Protestant minorities in Colombia and Spain. Mr. Hasson remarked that the present Pope is a humane, gracious man capable of hearing a case of this kind. Mr. Hasson said this on the basis of newspaper reports on the Pope. We did not think that Mr. Hasson, Grand Master of the Orange Lodge in Scotland, was so gullible. The World, and the N.A.T.O. Countries should by now be well aware of these persecuting activities. This deplorable state of matters has been taken up in our own Parliament; but it is for Christian and civilised powers to protest and intervene as far as possible to put a stop to this uncivilised oppression of Protestant minorities. The Pope stands, in principle, for the elimination of heretics and especially where the papal system has the majority and the power. The Synod of Clydesdale are to ask the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to approach the Pope on a matter which has blackened the record of the Papacy for centuries and of which that organisation is not ashamed. Why has the Pope not acted long ago to bring these evil activities against Protestants to an end in Spain and Colombia? We are amazed at Mr. Hasson saying at his Synod “There is a different spirit abroad in Rome today . . . the new Pope will be ready to hear evidence.” Papal propaganda has been apparently successful in getting at the back of Mr. Hasson’s mind. We do not agree for a moment with Mr. Hasson’s immature observations. Readers may remember that Mr. Hasson was violently opposed to the introduction of bishops into the Church of Scotland.
A new Creed for the Church of Scotland.
Again Rev. Alan G. Hasson made “news” at the Synod of Clydesdale, in October, when he criticised the Apostles’ Creed as “a very scrappy collection of words which do not adequately convey the fullness of the Christian message.” He asked the Synod to approach the Assembly of the Church of Scotland to consider the formation of a Creed “in modern language.” We think the most profitable and needful step for the Church of Scotland to be advised to take now, is for that Church to retrace its steps in teaching and practice to The Confession of Faith, of the Westminster Divines, and to thus return to the solid foundation of Biblical and Apostolic doctrine. What an impact on Scotland this would have if brought about by the divine blessing of the Holy Spirit’s guidance.