Scottish Church Unity Trend Upset
It was announced last month that the Church of Scotland and Scottish Episcopal Church Ministers for the new town of Livingstone in the south of Scotland are to be “commissioned” in January at the same time and at the same service. The Episcopal Bishop of Edinburgh, Dr. Carey observed regarding this new venture that it was “a sign, a symbol and a pledge that the two Churches intend to work together in the closest possible association, while each remains entirely loyal to its own traditions and practises until the day of unity comes.” The latter part of this statement does not savour very much of the unity so greatly spoken of in these days. But the said Bishop also gave a real shock last month to the unity enthusiasts, when he issued orders forbidding an American Episcopal ‘priest,’ who has been acting as assistant minister in St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, to officiate at any Episcopal Church services in Scotland. The Bishop has explained his point of view and others such as Dr. Whitley have done the same. Albeit the ban reveals that Episcopacy is not desirous of unity with Presbyterians but on Episcopal terms. This is our reading of the matter. When will the Church of Scotland learn!
Road Casualties
It was reported by the Minister of Transport that during 1964, nearly 8,000 people were killed and 378,000 injured in road accidents. All reasonable persons are distressed and alarmed at these figures which increase year by year. No doubt one obvious factor is the increased number of cars on the roads. But from all accounts human responsibility enters largely into the matter involving elements such as careless driving and drunk driving. We are not competent to judge on these things, only we learn of them from reports. It is a solemn and signal state of affairs in providence that whereas murderers may now live on in prison, thousands are losing their lives every year on the roads. And while cancer and heart troubles are the cause of death in many cases, yet thousands of healthy people are meeting death on the roads. We were told of one young clergyman in England, who, before beginning a journey in his car with friends, begged silence until he offered a prayer to the Lord for a safe journey. This of course we expect from the true Christian, followed by the utmost care in driving.
A Criticism of Ministers’ Activities
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in a recent speech said: “Ministers are spending their day from morning to night running this and the next thing and never getting down to the real essentials of the ministry. The minister is becoming an organiser, with the result that his time is being frittered away on what are very often secondary considerations.” This is only too true in many cases in the Moderator’s Church. It may well be asked as to the principle task of preaching the gospel and the expounding of the Word of God — how much time is devoted by many ministers to the delivery of say two sermons a week and study in preparation for these? The main burden of the Christian ministry is to seek the conversion and salvation of precious souls by preaching and teaching of the Word of God, and pastoral visitation involving the reading of Scripture, prayer and the giving of counsel. We feel that the lack of these activities is to be discerned in the low state of religious life in Scotland today.
The Law Society and Crime
The Council of the Law Society in a memorandum to a Royal Commission makes the following statement: “The Council believe that there is evidence, not only in this country, but throughout the world, of a general depreciation of moral standards which has led to increasing reluctance on the part of large sections of the public to condemn conduct which is manifestly of a criminal nature.” This is an excellent and true statement, yet a sad commentary on moral standards today. One thing, among other things which has been lacking in this country at any rate is, teaching regarding the nature of the moral law, that transgression of the law is sin against God and that the wages of sin is death. And also the preaching of a gospel which is no gospel, in place of the gospel of Christ in its fullness, has left multitudes in Britain completely ignorant of the nature and need of holy living, and that without holiness no man shall see the Lord.