Crime Increases in Scotland
The Scottish Home and Health Department have issued figures for criminal offences during 1966. These reveal an increase in housebreaking, in drunk driving and violence against the person, over against the 1965 figures. The money grants and assistance from the Government to even the unemployed are considerable. But it does not seem improper to suggest that in many cases much of this money is thrown away on drink and gambling. Then theft and housebreaking are resorted to, to make up for the loss of cash, and although so many are being killed and injured on the roads, and the country being warned, and advised continually, more and more drivers are going straight out of public houses and hotels after drinking, and drive their cars. This section of the public are completely irresponsible, and the drink-trade eagerly seek increasing sales. Drugs are certainly an alarming commodity when addiction is on the increase. And the Government are to take certain steps to curb the illegal sale and taking of certain drugs. And what about the untold injury and misery which come to drink addicts? There is little or no concern about this in Government quarters. New distilleries are being built and alcoholism is on the increase and certain crimes as a result continue to increase. Gambling offices exist in every part of the nation, and this evil trade is carried on legally to the degradation of many and the increase of crime. The frequent cases of murder and violence in our modern society is a clear commentary upon the slender influence which environment brings to bear upon fallen corrupt human nature. We allude to advantages in temporal things as compared with the disadvantages and the hardships experienced by past generations. Corrupt human nature in adversity or prosperity remains what it is. And having turned from a recognition of the claims of the moral law of God and the revelation of the gospel of Christ, this generation is capable of more and more crime. As David exclaimed: “It is time for thee Lord, to work, for men have made void thy law.”
Fighting in Rhodesia
From the scanty reports in the press it seems to be authentic news that African Freedom Fighters, as they are called, have entered Rhodesia and engaged the Rhodesian Army in some fighting with casualties on both sides. This situation must affect us in the Home Church with some concern for Rhodesia as a whole and our Mission there in particular. Our Mission stations, as we know, are very isolated from towns and police and army headquarters. But the Lord’s Cause is there and His believing people and the Lord Himself is in their midst. He is their refuge and strength and a very present help in any time of trouble. Albeit there is a particular call to those who fear the Lord in the Home Church, to pray earnestly that all on the Mission will be preserved, and strengthened by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to rely on Him at all times. “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are open unto their cry.”
Communion Seasons
During the late Spring, throughout the Summer months and the Autumn, many Communion seasons have been held throughout the Church in Scotland. Many, young and old, gathered in the different congregations to hear the Word preached, and the Lord’s people obeyed their Redeemer’s command to remember His death at the Lord’s table. These times have been recognised as precious seasons of fellowship under the gospel of Christ, and believers have enjoyed a measure of fellowship in one another’s company, to their edification and spiritual comfort. Such times lay quite a heavy burden upon ministers of the gospel as to their public duties and preaching the Word to precious souls. As they endeavour to pray for the people, so they might well say as Paul: “Brethren, pray for us.” And, no doubt, there has been at the Communion seasons much humble and earnest prayer for the Holy Spirit’s presence and power to apply and bless the Word and Sacrament to needy souls. We, and others, hope that the Most High will not leave all the seed of the Word sown to be unfruitful, but that spiritual fruit will follow, in sinners coming to seek earnestly the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and to find Him, in mercy; and that such seasons will prove to be helpful to growth in grace in the experience of believers. And it may not be out of place here to mention that the kindness and hospitality of our Church people throughout our congregations at such times remains as constant and unbounding as ever. And this is of the Lord. But when people go their several ways after Communion seasons, what need there is for those who profess Christ to earnestly desire that the Holy Spirit of truth will stir them up to abound more and more in faith and love toward their Lord and Saviour and to witness for Him in their respective plans and stations.