Communions
January—Fourth Sabbath, Inverness. February—First Sabbath, Dingwall; third, Stornoway; fourth, North Uist, Kyle of Lochalsh. March—First Sabbath, Ullapool; second, Ness, Portree and Tarbert; third, Finsbay, Lochinver; fourth, Kinlochbervie and North Tolsta. April—First Sabbath, Breascleate, Portnalong, Fort-William and Stoer; second, London; third, Greenock; fourth, Glasgow, Wick. May—First Sabbath, Kames and Oban; second, Scourie; third, Edinburgh and Broadford. June—First Sabbath, Applecross; second, Shieldaig; third, Lochcarron, Glendale, Helmsdale, Dornoch and Uig; fourth, Gairloch and Inverness. July—First Sabbath, Raasay, Laig, and Beauly; second, Staffin, Tomatin and Tain; third, Halkirk, Rogart, Flashadder and Daviot; fourth, Achmore, Bracadale, North Uist and Plockton. August—First Sabbath, Dingwall; second, Portree and Stratherrick; third, Bonar, Finsbay and Laide; fourth, Thurso, Vatten; fifth, Stornoway. September—First Sabbath, Ullapool, Breascleate; second, Strathy; third, Tarbert, Stoer and Vancouver (Canada); fourth, Applecross. October—First Sabbath, Tolsta, Lochcarron, Fort-William; second, Gairloch and Ness; third, Halkirk; fourth, Greenock, Lochinver and Wick. November—First Sabbath, Oban and Raasay; second, Glasgow; third, Edinburgh, Dornoch, Staffin and Uig. December—First Sabbath, London.
Rev. Fraser Tallach, Canada
Rev. Fraser Tallach, M.A. flew to Winnipeg on Friday, 27th November, and expects D.V., to remain there for at least a year. In a letter from Mr Tallach we gathered that his flight was delayed by strong head-winds over the Atlantic, but the journey was tolerably comfortable and, although a few hours overdue, the plane landed safely at Winnipeg on the same day.
For the Lord’s preservation of His servant we would be thankful. It is our earnest desire that Mr Tallach’s services among our Canadian friends would be abundantly blessed in that sinners be saved and the Lord’s people be refreshed.
Mr Tallach lives at 814 Arlington, Winnipeg, Manitoba. We give his address particularly for the benefit of interested friends in the U.S.A. and Canada, who may wish to contact him.
The new church at 514 Maryland Street, Winnipeg, was opened last August by Rev. Dr. MacDonald, Vancouver and since then the congregation has worshipped there. The new church, according to the reports we have had, is a compact, comfortable building. We take this opportunity of recording our deep appreciation of the congregation’s diligence and determination to maintain the standards of the Free Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg, “The little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation.”
Donald Campbell,
Convener, Dominion and Colonial Committee.
Retirement of Rev. Wm. Grant
At the meeting at Inverness on Tuesday, 17th November, of the Northern Presbytery, the Court regretfully recognised the fact of the resignation of Rev. Wm. Grant from the combined charge of Halkirk and Helmsdale and also from the oversight of the Thurso congregation. Although accepted at the previous meeting of Presbytery, the demission of the charge was to date from 13th October. It was a sad occasion in many respects.
Mr Grant has ended the long connection with the North lasting more than 38 years, since his induction to the charge of Halkirk and Helmsdale on 29th June 1926, and also his membership of the Northern Presbytery. In paying tribute to his personal qualities and his services to the Cause of Christ during his ministry, members spoke of Mr Grant’s years of faithful service, his regular attendance at meetings of the Court, his consistent maintaining the testimony of the Free Presbyterian Church, and the part he had taken in the Church’s work, particularly on the committees on several of which he had served. Members felt that they were losing a friend and brother in the Lord. Mr Grant’s ministry was exercised during the whole course of his labours in the one charge from which he had never removed. He had undertaken a period of service among our Canadian congregations, where he is still remembered with affection by our people, who still recall his visits to those many friends who had gone to Canada from his native parish of Dornoch. With great regret his resignation had been accepted, as the reasons for this painful decision were understandably strong.
The good wishes and prayers of his friends accompany our former colleague as he enters his retirement. He and his wife will be much missed by friends in the North; Mrs Grant being a true helpmeet to her husband. We pray that Mr Grant may be long spared to give what assistance lies in his power in proclaiming the glorious doctrines of the Gospel, and may his own soul be sustained and comforted by the strong consolations of the Spirit.
—A.F.M., Clerk, Northern Presbytery.
Greenock Manse Appeal
Having taken the necessary technical advice on the matter, the Greenock Deacons’ Court, with the permission of the Southern Presbytery, decided to dispose of the Manse at 59 Campbell Street and to proceed to buy a new one. A satisfactory price was obtained for the old Manse and a new one has now been purchased at 43 Denholm Street, Greenock for the price of £3,800 leaving a debt on this Manse of £1,050. The sum previously collected to put the old manse in a state of repair will be used to do all necessary work in connection with the new manse to put it into a suitable state of habitation for a minister.
The Greenock congregation, though small, has been very loyal to the Church and deserve the support of our people in their present circumstances. The Deacons’ Court decided to issue this appeal for our people to support the Greenock Manse Purchase Fund by their contributions as the Lord may guide them. These contributions should be sent to the Congregational Treasurer, Mr A. Cameron, 17 Clyde Road, Gourock, who will gratefully acknowledge same in the Free Presbyterian Magazine.
(Rev.) Donald MacLean, Interim-moderator.
Thomas MacRae, Clerk to the Deacons’ Court.
The Southern Presbytery cordially endorse and commend this appeal.
Malcolm Macsween, Clerk to the Southern Presbytery.
Donald Campbell, Moderator.
The Death of Rev. John Martin, Staffin
The ministers and people of the Church received a grievous shock when they heard recently of the unexpected death of the Rev. John Martin, Pastor of our congregation in Staffin, Skye. Mr Martin attended a Conference in Inverness on the 23rd and 24th December, 1964, along with other ministers and elders of the Church. He left for home on Thursday the 24th December, and stayed that night with friends near Broadford. On the next day, he proceeded home in his car to Staffin. When some few miles from home, the weather being wintry, he had occasion to leave the car. When he returned to the driver’s seat, he slumped over the wheel and passed away. This has indeed been “the wine of astonishment” to his widow, family circle and congregation and to his brethren and friends throughout the Church. Mr Martin’s case may be seen in the Words of our Lord, in Matthew, Chapter 24: verses 44-46: “Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” The Western Presbytery (D.V.) at their next meeting will be drawing up a tribute to this gracious and humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. It only remains for us to note that this death is a solemn voice to our Church again, especially in the light of the need there is among us for ministers of the gospel. We extend our deep and sincere sympathy to Mrs Martin the widow, and her children, and the other near relatives, commending them to the grace that is in Christ Jesus. We express our sympathy to the Staffin congregation in their loss also.
Rev. D. MacLean’s Departure Abroad
Rev. Donald MacLean, Glasgow, left this country, by ‘plane, on the 6th of January, for a visit to the Church’s Mission in Southern Rhodesia, as instructed by last Synod. He will report on the work of the Mission. He intends, thereafter, the Lord willing, to proceed to New Zealand and Australia, on the 2nd of March, for a brief visit, returning for home on the 22nd of April. We trust these visits to our stations abroad will be attended with a blessing, and that Mr MacLean will be preserved in his travels.