(Letter sent to the Prime Minister)
Sir,
The Religion and Morals Committee of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, noting the present series of talks between our Government and several European Governments, preparatory to a further application to join the Common Market, desire to bring to the Government’s notice our continued opposition to this proposal.
We oppose it, among other reasons, on the following grounds:—
1. That the Party which made entry into the Common Market one of the main promises of its election manifesto was ignominiously defeated at the last General Election indicating, we think, the lack of popular support for this movement.
2. That the signing of the Treaty of Rome would involve a degree of loss of sovereignty for which, we believe, the Government has no mandate without first consulting the wishes of the people through a referendum.
3. That entry into the Common Market would mean political and economic ties to a group of nations which are predominantly Roman Catholic in character, and that this would jeopardise our Protestant constitution and heritage.
4. That the most optimistically hoped for political, technological and economic benefits through entry to the Common Market would not outweigh the loss we would sustain through the subversion of our national Protestant character and institutions.
5. That the spiritual and material prosperity of our country does not lie in an alliance with the nations of Europe, but in an unfeigned return to the God whom we have forsaken, and whose favour, as a nation, we have forfeited. “Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3, 7).
The Committee further noted with profound regret your visit, accompanied by the First Secretary, to the Pope at the conclusion of the recent discussions in Rome, and the exchange of gifts which took place at that meeting. Having regard to the unique and blasphemous claims of the Pope of Rome to be Christ’s Vicar on earth, and to possess spiritual and temporal jurisdiction over rulers and nations, we cannot but view all such recognition of this usurper of Christ’s prerogatives as prejudicial to the secular and religious interests of our country. We protest against this visit to the head of a system which is attempting, by all the means at its disposal, to bring our nation into the same fetters of ignorance, superstition and idolatry from which, through the mercy of God, we were delivered at the time of the Reformation.
We further deplore the Sabbath desecration connected with the present series of talks, through travelling to meetings on the Lord’s Day, in direct violation of the divine precept—”Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” This disregard for God’s honour would itself render any hoped for benefit from the discussions null and void. “Them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” (1 Samuel 2, 30.
On behalf of the Committee
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Yours faithfully,
(Sgd.) D. B. MACLEOD, Convener.