Young People’s Magazine — New Editor
Will readers please note that by appointment of Synod, the new Editor of The Young People’s Magazine is the Rev. Alexander Macpherson, Free Presbyterian Manse, Errogie, by Inverness, and that in future all communications connected with this Magazine, and all material for publication therein, should be addressed to Mr Macpherson, at the above address. All answers to the Scripture and Catechism Exercises should also be addressed to Mr Macpherson.
Report from Rev. D. B. Macleod, Church Deputy to the U.S.A. and Canada
I sailed from Southampton on the 4th of June by the Dutch liner “Nieuw Amsterdam” and reached New York early in the morning on the 11th of June. The voyage across the Atlantic was very pleasant and restful. The weather, though dull, was not stormy and only on one evening was the sea sufficiently choppy to upset some of the passengers.
The approach to New York from the sea is very striking as those who have arrived there by ship well know. One gets an excellent view of the sky-scrappers of downtown New York and it is really very impressive. On our arrival, after the formalities of passing through the immigration and customs were over, I was met by Mr Donald MacKay, who comes from Ness, Lewis, and who has showed much kindness to our Deputies in the past. He very kindly arrived at the dock early in the morning and also took the day off from his business interests to show me part of the city. We had a very interesting guided tour of the United Nations buildings. The next day I had an opportunity to visit the Empire State Building, the highest building in the world, from the top of which it is possible on a good day to get a view for very many miles. I stayed two nights in New York and was very hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs MacKay in their comfortable home at Douglaston, New York. It was not possible to hold a service while I was at New York as many of the friends who used to attend the services held by our deputies had moved away and were living elsewhere.
On the 13th June I flew by a jet plane of American Airways to Detroit. The flight was very comfortable and as we crossed Lake Erie the cloud broke giving a wonderful view of the lake below in brilliant sunshine with vessels dotted here and there on it, and also of the surrounding countryside. Approaching Detroit we crossed Canadian territory and then obtained a clear view of Detroit itself, only a stone’s throw across the water from Windsor, Canada, and stretching for many miles to the north and west. On landing at the Airport some distance out of the city itself I was met by the MacLennans from Hillsdale, Michigan, who drove me the 70-80 miles out to their part of the country. At Hillsdale I stayed with Mrs MacLennan who visited Scotland some years ago, and received much kindness in her home. I held a service in the house there on the Friday evening and two on the Sabbath as well as one on Monday evening in the home of her brother-in-law, Mr Kenneth MacLennan, at North Adams.
On Tuesday, 18th June, the friends at Hillsdale drove me the 140 miles to Grand Rapids, a city situated on the west side of the State of Michigan. At Grand Rapids, I stayed two nights with Mr and Mrs de Korne who have on several occasions entertained our Church deputies in their home on the outskirts of the city. I received much kindness from them. While in Grand Rapids I had the opportunity of meeting a number of the people who attend the Netherlands Reformed Church and also the pastor of the Congregation, Rev. Benjamin Densel, whom it was a privilege to meet. On the Wednesday evening I preached in the Netherland Church. The service was announced on the local radio station and consequently there was a good attendance. I was glad to be able to pay a short visit to the home of Mr Knight, the Strict Baptist pastor in Grand Rapids.
On Thursday, 20th June, I travelled by bus the 180 miles to Detroit. The weather was very hot but as the bus was air-conditioned the trip was very pleasant. At Detroit I was met by Mr and Mrs Lawson who have had many of our former deputies in their home. They not only very kindly entertained me in their home but also offered to drive me the 240 miles to Toronto, Canada, where I make my next stop. In Detroit I visited one or two people from the home country and on Sabbath had two services in the Presbyterian Free Church. The congregation very kindly permitted us to hold our services there. The friends from Hillsdale drove in the 80 miles or so to attend both services. The services were well attended.
I have much cause for thankfulness to the Lord for His gracious dealings with me and His protecting care over me during the three weeks since I left home. I do hope and trust that the Lord will bless His own Word preached at the services held in the U.S.A. to the awakening of some and to the reviving of others. It is the Lord alone who can give the increase.
I am grateful to those who have already given information about Free Presbyterians residing in the U.S.A. and Canada. I would be glad of further addresses of persons in the U.S.A. or Canada who would welcome a visit from the Church deputy. I can be contacted through Mr Allan Macleod, 398 Agnes Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
I would ask the people of the Church to plead for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon this part of the Lord’s vineyard.
Deputy to Italy
Mr Malcolm MacInnes, M.A., who will be licensed by the Northern Presbytery before this notice is in readers’ hands, expects to leave for Italy on 1st August to spend a month there as the Church’s Deputy. Mr MacInnes should arrive at Pisa on that date and will (D.V.) be staying with the Marci family at Fornaci di Barga, Lucca, Italy. This opportunity to preach the Gospel in priest ridden Italy should fill our hearts with gratitude to the Lord, Who alone could open this door of usefulness. We are indebted to Misses Laura and Lilian Marci who are members in full communion with the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, for their most helpful co-operation during the necessary preparations for the Deputy’s visit. We also thank Rev. Donald MacLean, Glasgow, for his part in the preparations. He arranged for the classes in Italian which Mr MacInnes attended and also made bookings for his return journey to Italy. It is our prayer that this new field in the Church’s mission work will prove most fruitful. Popery has dominated the religious life of the Italian people for many centuries and one welcomes the prospect, however dim, of their deliverance from Papal darkness. We are aware of our comparative smallness and weakness as a Church to combat the “Beast” but we place our mission and Deputy at the disposal of the Lord, Who promised that He would make the little one a thousand and the despised one a strong nation. We appeal for the continued prayers of our people on behalf of the Deputy that he may come to our Italian friends in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of peace.
— Donald Campbell,
Convener of Dominions and Overseas Committee.
Jewish and Foreign Missions Collection
This collection, by order of the Synod, is to be taken by book from house to house in August, and has always met with a hearty response from our loyal people. From a small beginning, our Mission in Rhodesia has extended its borders to an extent far beyond what anyone was able to anticipate when it first began, and many thousands who were sunk in the darkness of heathendom, heard the gospel as the gospel of their salvation. Many Europeans and natives have been labouring in that far-distant land, and their labours have been greatly blessed, with the result that many who were dead in trespasses and sins have been, through the power of the Holy Spirit, plucked as brands out of the fire and raised up as trophies of free grace. We have many schools there where thousands of children are being taught, and a well-equipped hospital where a fully qualified doctor is to take up duties (God willing) next year. Owing to conditions in Rhodesia no Government Grant is given to the hospital which means that the Church has to shoulder the financial burden, therefore, we look to the friends of the Cause of Christ to help as liberally as the Lord will lay to their hands.
— John Colquhoun, Convener.
Synod Proceedings 1968
Synod Proceedings 1968 will be ready for distribution and sale in August. Price per copy 3/-.