A CONGREGATION IN ABERDEEN ?

There are two areas of Scotland where the Free Presbyterian Church has no congregations. One is the Lowlands where our Church’s only opening lay in a long series of Friday evening services held at Saltcoats during the nineteen-fifties. The other area is that extending from the Forth to the Moray Firth, and here also there was an effort at penetration made at Elgin. But here too the monthly week-day services conducted by Rev. A. F. Mackay for seven years came to an end. More recently another opportunity for establishing a regular congregation has occurred in the very heart of the North-east, in Aberdeen itself, and the circumstances are so interesting as to be worth reporting.

Beginning and Development

Present educational policy is resulting in more and more students from the north and west being admitted to Aberdeen University, and it was a few of those belonging to our Church who felt prompted to arrange a week-day service on Tuesday, 26th November 1963. This was conducted by Rev. R. R. Sinclair and about fifty persons from different churches were present. Taking encouragement from this, the students arranged similar services, one each term, during the next two years. Mr Sinclair and several other ministers presided at these and found appreciative gatherings on each occasion.

The next milestone was the commencement of a Sabbath service on 20th February 1966. One of the Aberdeen students had been authorized to conduct this, and it took place in a rented flat.

After another four of these Sabbath morning services, application was made to Aberdeen Education Committee for the use of a room in the Girl’s High School in Albyn Place. This was granted free of charge, and in this very suitable and comfortable classroom services have been conducted once and sometimes twice each Lord’s Day. From the beginning of this year, however, two services have been held every Sabbath. Eight ministers and seven lay-preachers have shown them sympathy with the work by going to Aberdeen to conduct services at various times down to the present. The latest development, a Saturday Bible Study meeting, has taken place regularly since 10th February at 65 Argyll Place.

Not only students but also other Free Presbyterians resident in Aberdeen and district attend the services. The numbers vary from a faithful nucleus of twelve to around forty when a minister has been present, but recently the number of regular attenders has increased. Newspaper advertisements and tract distribution have produced only a slight response from other people in the district. This is disappointing, especially as one of the aims of those behind the venture has been to establish in Aberdeen the pure means of grace provided by our Church. Some have been conscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit at the services and wish others to have that benefit also.

Prospects and Needs

Now this surely is a cause which should enlist the sympathy and prayers and help of the whole Church. Regular services in Aberdeen have become an urgent need from the point of view of the students alone. Five years ago there were three F.P. students; this year there are over twenty, and each year may be expected to see an increase. Anyone who appreciates the spiritual and moral dangers confronting our young people when they leave home to continue their education will realise that the provision of Gospel ordinances and an opportunity for gaining the fellowship of god-fearing fellow-churchmen would be no small boon. And, as we have stated, there are other people of the Church residing in or near Aberdeen who would benefit from these services. Can the Church complacently acknowledge the need and do nothing? Now to the practical question, what can be done besides praying?

1. The most urgent need is that a person who could be entrusted with the conduct of regular services should take up residence in Aberdeen. The great disadvantage of the present arrangements is that between terms the students who hold the services are away and the services cease. This lack of continuity is a great obstacle to building up a congregation.

2. It seems desirable that premises should be obtained which would be suitable for use as a place of worship and for Bible Study. A charge of 25/- per day is now being made for the classroom, and there is the added fact that people are less inclined to attend services in a classroom than in a church or hall.

3. All parents with sons or daughters studying or working in Aberdeen should do all in their power to ensure that they attend these services regularly and twice daily wherever possible. By no means all the students are doing this. The address of the school has already been given as Albyn Place, and it is not difficult to reach.

4. Information, including maps of the area, can be obtained from Mr C. Tallach, 7 Queens Terrace, Aberdeen (AB1 1XL), and Mr Tallach for his part would be glad of information of Church people resident in or going to Aberdeen in the future.

We believe that these facts are themselves sufficient justification for being published, and we would seek the prayerful interest of every reader. It would be more than regrettable if the very considerable efforts already made to fill this great need should come at last to nothing, as might well happen should no other student be available to conduct the services. We invite readers to pray for a blessing on what is already being done, and to seek the Lord’s help in establishing these services on a more permanent basis. A regular congregation in Aberdeen would be matter for rejoicing. — A. McP.