Industrial Disputes
The most reasonable people of this country have been greatly disturbed by the frequent strikes taking place in different sections of industry. The car industry, the railways, ship-building and dock labour have all been affected. The trouble among dock workers has been quite serious and the economy of the nation has undoubtedly been seriously damaged. It appears that the dockers are not unanimous in withholding their labour; but it is apparent that there are those among them who have no regard for the authority of their Masters, no respect even for their Trade Union officials, and who do not care whether their fellow workers in other industries are thrown out of work by their conduct. It does not seem to be an unfair inference to conclude that the hand of Communism is behind much of this labour trouble, not forgetting that there may be some wrongs which can be put right by recognised procedure. From a Christian point of view, there is a definite and widespread disregard for the name of God, the giver of all good, and in whom we live and move and have our being. An unthankful spirit is abroad. What we are afraid of is that the God of providence will meet out judgments applicable to the unthankfulness and discontentment which are all too conspicuous to-day.
Teaching Posts and Religion
The Educational Institute of Scotland, the largest teacher organisation in Scotland, has made it known that it considers that no candidate being interviewed for appointment to a teaching
post, other than in a transferred school (a Roman Catholic school), should be asked if he is a member of a Church. This new policy statement is aimed at the practice of members of Education Committees, and especially ministers of religion on such Committees, asking applicants for teaching posts as to whether they have a connection with any religious body and if they have a personal interest in religious instruction in schools. In line with this bold move on the part of the E.I.S. we may relate that the BBC recently presented a debate on the following motion: viz. “There should be no Religious Observances or Instruction in State schools.” The aforesaid motion for debate indicates also that the question of religious instruction in our State schools is becoming an issue, and that there are influences at work to do away with it. When we turn to the practice obtaining in the Roman Catholic schools in Scotland as to applicants for teaching posts, we find the following statement in an advertisement for principal teacher of History — “Candidates should hold an Honours Degree . . . and must satisfy the Diocesan Authorities with regard to religious belief and character.” But the applicant to a Scottish State school should not be required to declare where he stands as to Church or religion, according to the Education Institute of Scotland. Over against all this, the fact remains that on all Scottish Education Committees there are two or more ministers of religion specially appointed by law, to represent religious bodies in their county. Part of their duty is surely to safeguard the interests of such religious bodies in relation to the education of their children, including religious instruction. We do not expect every teacher to be a Christian or even to be an adherent in a Church or to have even some degree of interest in the Christian religion. But the right to know if an applicant for a teaching post is interested in religious instruction, is a member of a Church, is an Atheist or a Communistic Atheist, should be retained by those who may vote, or not vote, with respect to their application and appointment, in a professed Christian community. The Kingdom of God is under attack from many quarters.
A Warning Testimony
Dr Roy Sanderson, Moderator of the General Assembly of The Church of Scotland, recently addressed the Inverurie – Old-Meldrum Branch of the Scottish Farmers’ Union. Dr Sanderson invited views about how Church attendance might be encouraged. If he did, he got a surprise. Mrs O. Stott, Crichie, Inverurie, a member in the Church there, and who has a son a minister, spoke her mind. Among other things she said “You no longer preach the fear of God . . . This spirit of compromise is the death of the
faith.” Mrs Stott also condemned modern trends in religious education. The report of this part of the meeting made it clear that the Moderator was highly displeased with the opinions expressed so frankly by the above lady. He said to Mrs Stott: “If you wish to speak to young people as you have spoken here they would walk out of the door.” We are not so sure that all young people would act as Dr Sanderson says.
An Arrogant Assumption
From press reports from Glasgow it is stated that it has been suggested — from what source is not made clear — that in the case of serious casualties in road accidents that such should be given the “last rites” and treated as Roman Catholics. Rev. A. Herron, Clerk of the Glasgow Presbytery of The Church of Scotland, and Rev. A. Johnston, Clerk of the Free Church Presbytery of Glasgow, have taken the matter up and raised strong objections to the aforesaid arrogant proposal to assume that seriously injured persons who cannot indicate their religious affiliation should be treated as Roman Catholics. This certainly is a completely new move on the part of the Roman Catholic Church. It has been rightly said that the assumption should be that such a person is Protestant and not Roman Catholic, in a predominantly Presbyterian community. If this practice were tolerated, Romish priests would be accumulating added “merit” by administering their “last rites” to persons not known as Roman Catholics. Their superstitions and foolish system would automatically add “such road casualties” to the number of Roman Catholics in the area. And in any case, the Romish “last rites” administered to an unconscious saint or sinner can effect just nothing at all.
Theologian Charged with Heresy
Professor Lloyd Geering, a prominent New Zealand Presbyterian theologian, has been Principal of the Theological College of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Some of our readers may remember that we referred some time ago in these Notes to his heretical views on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was reported from Dunedin, New Zealand, that Professor Geering was to be charged before his Church’s General Assembly on October 31st with heresy, having questioned the bodily resurrection of Christ. We shall await (D.V.) to hear how the Assembly finally dealt with the Professor. It is also reported that while addressing students earlier this year, he preached that man did not have an immortal soul. Let us not forget than many ministers of religion in Scotland hold anything but scriptural views on the
resurrection of Christ. There is to be found among so called ministers of the gospel a denial of the actual, bodily resurrection of our Lord. They should also stand trial for heresy in the appropriate Church Court. Such men should read the 15th Chapter of First Corinthians, and resign forthwith from the Christian ministry, if they still do not believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ. Such men are unbelievers, dishonest in their Christian profession, and blind leaders of the blind. Let all who sit under a scriptural and faithful gospel ministry, be thankful. — Since writing this Note, we have read a report that Professor Geering has been cleared from the charge of heresy by above mentioned Assembly. Heresy is popular to the ruin of souls.