On the 26th July, as readers know, a terrible earthquake practically destroyed the ancient city of Skopje, the capital of Yugoslavia Macedonia, in a few seconds, according to reports. About 10,000 people were feared killed or injured in this sad calamity. The mention of Macedonia reminds us of the visit of Paul and Silas to Macedonia, when during their imprisonment at Philippi, an earthquake shook the prison and the jailor in a special manner, ultimately leading to his conversion under the teaching of Paul and Silas. But when we hear of such a calamity it should recall to mind the words of the Lord Jesus to men in His own day, viz., “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Another matter of interest when such calamities occur is in connection with the offers of help and supplies from different nations to alleviate the afflicted. The British, Swedish, Danish and Dutch Red Cross sent immediate help in money, blankets, tents and other articles. The Government in Yugoslavia proclaimed two days national mourning and all public events and entertainments were cancelled. The greatest calamities never cancel the need for prayer and the consolations of the Word and the worship of God.
But how unseemly and out of place in time of distress are worldly and vain entertainments, even in the estimation of worldly men. Then, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness, seeing that all these things about us are to be dissolved in the day of the Lord’s coming at last. The great reality of Eternity is brought to mind by such awful events in providence.
Abbey School Prize-giving on Sabbath
The Roman Catholic Fort Augustus Abbey School held its prize-giving ceremony on a Sabbath afternoon during the month of July. A large gathering of parents and others attended, among whom was Dr. T. A. MacLean, Director of Education for Inverness-shire, although this school is an independent one, and not as other R.C. schools in Inverness-shire, under his administrative supervision. The afternoon of the Sabbath seems to be a fitting time for Roman Catholics, indeed like people of other Churches, to engage in activities which are neither works of necessity or mercy.
After Dr. MacLean had presented the prizes, he addressed the boys, and among other things advised them to adhere firmly to the tenets of their faith, that is of course, the Roman Catholic faith. As far as we know Dr. MacLean belongs to the Church of Scotland. These boys had no need of being thus advised. Their headmaster—Priest, Rev. Mark Dilworth, would see to that.
Rev. Tom Allan and Moral Standards and the Word of God
Rev. Tom Allan, the Church of Scotland minister, who was the leader of the Tell Scotland Movement, and now ministers to a congregation in the centre of the City of Glasgow, had some things to say about moral standards and the Word of God in an article in the Glasgow Evening Citizen, on July 6th. Referring to the Profumo affair, Rev. T. Allan stated: “Perhaps the people to blame for the alarming decline in public morality are . . . Those of us in the Church who are too ready to capitulate to the standards of the world, and abandon the moral absolutes upon which the good life is based.” It would have been somewhat better if Mr Allan had indicated what church or churches he referred to. His own voice has not been heard, as far as we know, condemning Church of Scotland leaders and committees in their endeavours to undermine Sabbath observance. Has Mr Allan in his “Tell Scotland” Campaign ever told Scotland of the great evil supported by his Church, viz., the Gateway Theatre, Edinburgh. There are other evils in his own Church which need more than an admission of their existence, even public denunciation in no vague terms. Mr Allan further in his article writes: “We tend to preach a relative Gospel and teach a relative morality. We ourselves have undermined the authority of the Bible as the Word of God and must be prepared to take the consequences when people, confused and perplexed, write off its divine demands as . . . man-made injunctions. We have reaped the wind and we shall sow the whirlwind.” Now this is all very serious and solemn and we agree that this is particularly true of certain professing Christian Churches. Who does Mr Allan mean by the “We” and “We ourselves” who are involved in these serious departures in preaching the Gospel and in teaching the Word of God? We can supply without doubt, one answer: Mr Allan’s own Church, The Church of Scotland. But he doesn’t mention any Church by name. Mr Allan may be reminded that there are some in Scotland, at anyrate, who are endeavouring in the strength of the Lord to preach a full Gospel and to hold fast to the Word of God as divinely inspired and infallible, insisting always on its divine authority. We have long ago insisted that the “Tell Scotland Movement” should have been definitely and particularly directed to Mr Allan’s own Church, in declaring the Word of God, the whole counsel of God, with a view to the exposure of error in doctrine and practice and in calling the clergy and people to repentance toward God.
The Truth and Faith Committee Within the Church of England
Evangelical Christians in the Church of England have had since years now a trying battle within their Church against Romanisers, High-Anglicans, false doctrines and dangerous views on what is now called the “New Morality.” For 12 years now the Truth and Faith Committee within the said church has been at work conducting a programme of instruction and testimony for the Reformation Witness of the Church of England. The English Churchman, for 12th July, 1963, states: “The enquiry into Canon Law which started over 20 years ago has now developed into a scheme to reorganise Courts and laws for the Church of England, so that most of the doctrine and ritual which the Reformers rejected as unscriptural could be brought back into the Church of England without any restraint being exercised. If such a tragedy overtakes the Church of England then Gospel Ministry will be seriously hindered and the clear voice of Truth will be confused by false teaching.” The Truth and Faith Committee has published hundreds of thousands of leaflets setting out in clear and short statements the chief features of this unscriptural scheme. There is a wide range of literature to be obtained by those interested and who desire information. Such should write to: The Honorary Secretary, The Truth and Faith Committee, The Rectory, Whinburgh, Dereham, Norfolk.