Sabbath Fishing on West Coast
We were pleased to read of criticism levelled at a small group of East Coast fishing boats for fishing on the West Coast of Scotland, over weekends, including the Sabbath. The opposition was officially raised by Mr Gordon Jackson, secretary to Mallaig and North-west Fishermen’s Association. He stated that there had been a tradition in the West of no weekend fishing. There was an objection, he said, on religious grounds; although he did emphasise the need for conservation. Opinion is to be sought on the question of banning the landing or sale of weekend caught fish on the West Coast. We wish success to this proposal. It is maintained by those interested in the fishing industry that there is a danger that the fishing grounds concerned will be quickly cleaned out if fishing goes on for seven days a week. This is a practical observation; and Mr Jackson makes the point, “Everyone needs a rest — the fish, the boats and the men.” Whether Mr Jackson is a religious supporter of Sabbath observance or not, he certainly expresses a view relevant to the law of the Sabbath and should be encouraged by those in a position to do so.
Sabbath Bus Tours for Harris
The Scottish Traffic Commissioners decided, at Stornoway on 11th June, 1968, to allow David MacBrayne, the government-subsidised shipping company, to operate a Sabbath afternoon bus tour on the Island of Harris. Evidence was given by objectors at the above inquiry; but we live in a day when many in places of authority completely disregard religious and conscientious opinions when they can decide matters within the law as it stands. There is but a remnant now in our midst who truly and sincerely know the significance of the Fourth Commandment and love God’s day. The fruit of all this since years in our land may well be spiritual judgments upon the people such as increased hardness of heart and spiritual blindness. We do not need to be sent away into any literal Babylon to actually come under the definite displeasure and anger of God for our sins.
Unity Scheme Causing Division
The varied efforts by Churchmen to bring about outward unity between denominations, with little or no regard to real unity based on the Word of God and spiritual union to Christ, are in some cases only contributing to increased controversy, division and dissatisfaction among those whom they think to unite. It is this state of affairs which has arisen in relation to the scheme for reconciliation between the Church of England and the Methodist Church. Rev. Graham Leonard, Bishop of Willesden, said lately that this scheme was splitting the Church from top to bottom. He was speaking at a press conference on the Anglican-Methodist Unity Commission Report. He said this division was affecting Churchmen from Anglo-Catholics to Evangelicals, and that, “Proposals for reconciliation involve an intentional ambiguity which makes the prayers of the service of reconciliation irrelevant or irreverent.” This is a serious indictment by a Bishop. He further criticises the proposals, as presenting a device to escape reality and a formula to avoid clarity, and states, “Far from achieving true unity they will cause further divisions.” Many Methodists and many Anglicans will have nothing to do with the scheme. Without searching into the doctrinal position of dissatisfied Anglicans and Methodists, it seems from the Bishop’s observations that the worldly-wise Unity Scheme will only succeed in scattering many from both the Anglican and Methodist’s folds. Belief in and adherence to the faith once delivered to the saints must be an essential element, along with other matters, in true, spiritual, God-honouring unity among Christians. The evil that is also evident among some enthusiasts for ecumenism is their arrogant disregard for those who do not agree with their schemes. The Archbishop of Canterbury, for example, really holds in contempt those who strongly opposed his visit to and conversation with the Pope, and who rightly and seriously disagree with his personal and official actions in furthering the cause of union between the Church of England and Rome. We refer to evangelical members of the Church of England. The great crusade for church unity today is not at rock bottom a desire for unity in the gospel and Spirit of Christ, but for unity with Rome as the ultimate aim.
The London City Mission
The London City Mission has been for many years engaged in sending Christian missionaries to contact and speak with wretched men and women who have ruined their characters, health and circumstances by sin in one form or another. These visits are made to common-lodging houses, the public parks, the embankment and other places. The Editor of London City Mission Magazine tells in one article in the May-June, 1968, issue, something of what he has seen as to vagrancy. He writes of his own first contact with “human wreckage” in the common-lodging houses of East London. He says, the men and women, and some children, lived together and were repulsive. “Their filth, depravity, vile language and behaviour, quenched sympathy and almost defeated all hope of their rehabilitation.” Throughout four decades of concentrated service in London he saw these vagrants from close quarters; and he wondered that men and women could sink so low and become so animalistic in their behaviour. The reasons he gives for the miserable condition of these vagrants are, that in many cases there is mental imbalance; in other cases domestic strife has been given for wandering. But in the main, the Editor states: ” . . . gambling, alcoholism and sex have been the major reasons for the abysmal depths to which people sink. Surely the wages of sin is death.” He solemnly and rightly observes regarding sin: “It is cruel in its destruction of human personality and character.” The missionaries of this Mission endeavour to befriend and bring the truths of the Gospel of Christ to these poor people; although they may encounter much discouragement and little spiritual success. Yet, one soul saved by the grace of God and by means of His Word read or spoken is of great value in His sight. Friends in our London Congregation are conversant with this Mission. It is in their premises our London Congregation hold some of their services. The Headquarters of The London City Mission is: The Mission House, 6 Eccleston Street, London S.W.1. We have not been requested to write this Note; but we are sure some of our readers will be interested. And although we have no authority from our Synod to appeal for donations for this Mission officially, nevertheless any donation sent would, we are sure, be welcome.
House of Commons Against National Lottery
It was a relief to all right-minded persons, when the House of Commons, at the beginning of July, rejected the proposal for a National Lottery. There was a free vote on the matter, and the proposal was defeated by 166 against and 76 for: a majority of 90. Mr Roy Jenkins, the Chancellor, voted for the Lottery and 17 other Labour Ministers. Mr James Callaghan, Home Secretary, voted against: most of the leading Conservatives voted against but 12 of their party voted for the Lottery. Mr John Temple (Tory: City of Chester) said in the discussion: “I would be horrified to think that this Country was going into the gambling business.” Mr Temple uses the right word, “horrified”, and thereby expresses the attitude of mind of many who have the moral welfare of our Nation at heart. Mr James Tinn (Labour: Cleveland), who has been the chief supporter of this evil proposal, can be no friend of Britain, when he seems so enthusiastic to encourage the gambling fever. Many persons and homes are ruined by this subtle vice. Parliament has passed more than enough evil legislation recently without adding legislation supporting a terrible vice.