Non-denominational Schools in West Germany
In the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg, West Germany, the Parliament approved a Bill to make all public schools non-denominational. There was some opposition to the Bill, which included eight Roman Catholic members. But the report states that most of the Roman Catholic members disregarded the advice of their bishops and voted for the reform whereby all public schools will take both Roman Catholic and Protestant pupils. They will study together, but will be separated for religious instruction. The Vatican, it was said, expressed “painful astonishment” over the reform. And here in Scotland, since the 1918 Education Act, there are separate Roman Catholic schools in parts where Roman Catholics are resident in large numbers. Protestant ratepayers help to finance these separate schools, and the Free Presbyterian Church protested vigorously when these separate R.C. schools were first established. But now some of the Germans are doing away with this R.C. Church privilege as to special schools. We do not know the real reasons for this action in Germany. It could be finance or political reasons which brought about this reform. The Vatican does not like R.C. children and Protestant children being taught their ordinary educational subjects together. No desire for unity here!
Vatican does not Agree to Joint Services
A World Week of Prayers for Christian Unity at the end of January included people in the city of Rome. It was proposed that there should be joint-services of prayer in non-Roman Catholic Churches with Roman Catholics taking part. This suggestion was rejected by the Vatican. The “Holy Office” replied that it did not consider it opportune for this year to hold such forms of common prayer. The Archbishop of Canterbury could visit the Pope officially and thereafter agree to set up a joint-commission to study the doctrine of the Roman and Anglican Churches with a view to the union of the two Churches. But joint-prayer services in non-Catholic Churches are not agreed to. All this must be, or should be, very confusing to the ecclesiastical enthusiasts for closer relations with Rome, who in Scotland, eagerly attend meetings with the Abbot of Nunraw and other Roman clergy.
The Harvest of the Sea
The time for harvest-thanksgiving services is long past as far as last year is concerned and we are now into the Spring of 1967. But we were deeply interested at the time of writing, to read the astounding figures as to fish landed by British vessels during 1966. The figures are: nearly 18 million hundredweights of fish, valued at nearly 62 million pounds. Here we are faced with the provision God is making from the ocean, in His good and wonderful providence for our temporal needs as a people. The miserable atheist does not perceive the existence and provision of the God of heaven and earth in all this. But the true Christian will exclaim: “O that men to the Lord would give praise for His goodness then, and for His works of wonder done unto the sons of men.” Farmers are not the only people who should be expected to take a prominent interest in Harvest Thanksgiving from year to year. All those having any connection with the fishing industry should also be expected to have an interest in Harvest Thanksgiving at the appropriate time. Of course we are all wholly dependent upon the hand of God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, to sustain us by providing for us in His providence. How few evidences there are of man’s gratitude to the Lord! God is not in all the thoughts of the vast majority of the people of this favoured nation of ours. The rich man who died and lifted up his eyes in hell, of whom the Lord Jesus speaks, had plenty from the Lord in providence here; but he did not live to the praise of the Lord here. In eternity he had not even water to cool his tongue. Let us pause and consider these things.
Ski-ing in Scotland on the Lord’s Day
The weekend and the Lord’s Day are still the popular times for ski-ing in the snow-clad hills in parts of the Highlands of Scotland. And in this area the Lord’s Day is a forgotten day, the God of the Sabbath is also forgotten as to His Word and worship. But the God of the Sabbath sees all from His dwelling-place. We were prompted to refer to this subject again by reading recently the following: “One of the most entertaining and light-hearted events in the skiing calendar takes place on Sunday, when teams from the various sections compete for the Scottish Ski Club’s Trophy at Glenshee.” This news item is just commonplace information to us regarding the regular and deplorable activities of the enemies of God and His law. The Word of God declares that in perilous times men shall be “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” This mark of such times is with us.
Crime on the Increase
The Home Secretary, Mr Roy Jenkins, has stated: “Crime is on the increase almost everywhere, and with each increase we forfeit some small part of our claim to be a civilised community.” There is just as serious an aspect of the state of the nation in the growing increase in irreligion. The fool who says now in his heart that there is no God is to be met with everywhere and in increasing numbers. Such may shudder at the very thought of being involved in criminal activities of any kind. Yet they live in complete disregard for God, the Bible, the House of God and the Lord’s Day, etc. The increase in crime testifies against us as a nation, that we are a backsliding nation; and our increased practical atheism is also a terrible indictment against us that we have departed from God. Crime as such, and as it affects adversely others in their property or persons is certainly something for those in authority to endeavour to deal with, to curb and prevent and to punish. But when do we hear of an outcry against irreligion as such, in connection with the public worship of God being forsaken, for instance? There is no dissent in high places against the frequent political conferences of recent times, held on God’s holy Day by members of Government. Talks were held on the Lord’s Day with the Prime Minister of Malta by members of the British Government. Bills have been debated in both Houses of Parliament and have received much support, even from Churchmen, which Bills, in our opinion condone crimes, other than “bank robberies,” such as the sin of Sodom, freedom to act on the Lord’s Day as on any other day. Then there are laws which have greatly encouraged gambling and the establishment of “gambling dens,” and so on. There are crimes and crimes. All sin is transgression of the divine law; and there is a great increase in all kinds of practical ungodliness. The Christian who protests against all kinds of sin gets little support from those in authority, who are concerned about theft, violence, fraud and so on. Christ can be despised, but that is of no consequence to many.