Czechoslovakia
The Czechoslovak Government and people have provided a great deal of news for the world in these recent times. Readers are familiar with the details reported regarding what is called the liberalisation policy of the new Czech government. Previously this nation, in the heart of Europe, was ruled according to the Russian pattern of Communism. A detestable pattern!
What interests many in Britain and elsewhere throughout the free world, is the arrogant and dictatorial attitude of Russia to the Czech government and nation. The vicious propaganda and military activities employed to frighten this small nation into turning back again to Russian Communism, is an up-to-date proof and revelation of the real character of the Russian “peace-lovers”. In their view the Western nations are imperialists and oppressors of the people and should be eliminated by Communism. But Russia is the very tool of the devil to keep human beings in evil bondage and atheism. When they are afraid of losing part of their bulwark between them and the Western powers, as in the case of Czechoslovakia, they act the tyrant to keep this smaller nation under their influence and on their side.
As a Member of Parliament said lately, the protest-marchers to the American Embassy in London about Vietnam, would do well to turn their attention to the Russian Embassy in London. Another observation we would make is — What about the United Nations Organisation and its useless General Secretary? They can interfere speedily in the case of Israel fighting for its very existence and in the case of Rhodesia. But what are they doing about Russian interference in the internal affairs of another small nation? How silent the Left-Wing M.P.s of our British Parliament are as to Russian conduct, at the time of writing. The United Nations Organisation should be disbanded. God and His mind is not in their councils.
Biafra Distress
All people with the least feeling of sympathy for human suffering are at the present time, hoping that relief supplies of food and other things, will soon flow into Biafra to relieve the starving and dying people of that stricken country. Men and nations bring great suffering and distress upon themselves and others by controversy, malice and conflict, as in the case of the Nigerians. The Lord reigneth in the kingdom of men and among the heathen; and without appearing to judge in this case, the Lord does in cases manifest that He has a controversy with nations and peoples by permitting great adversities to overwhelm them. Truly, the world needs the Gospel of Christ Jesus, the Prince of Peace, today.
The Fourth Commandment Ignored
We are well aware of the widespread, conspicuous and bold desecration of the Lord’s Day in Scotland as elsewhere. At times when we read the daily press, certain apparently insignificant items of news take our attention. A brief paragraph appeared recently in a Scottish daily paper stating that members of Golspie (Sutherland) Youth Club were to make an attempt, on a specified Sabbath Day, to swim from Portmahomack to Golspie Pier. Many readers might not have troubled to read this item of news. But it indicates a great deal regarding the modern state of religion and morals in the North of Scotland. Many of the youth and their parents and youth leaders reveal that they just take for granted nowadays, that the Lord’s Day is an ‘excellent’ day of the week to spend out of doors indulging in varied recreations, away from home and any thought of the public worship of God. The above is indicative of what we may describe as the widespread complete indifference to the claims of God and the true religion of the Bible. A more conspicuous item of news appeared in the same daily paper under the heading, “A great day of motor sport.” This referred to a certain Sabbath at Crimond being devoted to a British motor cycle road racing championship. Here we have one of the evidences of “perilous times,” when men shall be “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” We hear and read the phrase, “The Church has failed.” Whatever may be true of Christian Churches, we are certain that the people of this land, in general, have failed to adhere to the Word of God, in their personal conduct, in their homes and in their attitude to the name and claims of God. The conduct of the young and old on the Lord’s Day points to this. God says, “Turn ye from your evil ways: for why will ye die?”
A Backward Step by Ross County Council
A Committee of Ross and Cromarty County Council came to a decision to rescind a former decision, which former decision did not permit of officials or young people going on courses of one kind and another which included worldly activities on the Sabbath. The recent new decision declares that the Ross County Council, which approved of it, are now prepared to organise or authorise those under their supervision to take such weekend courses and to hand out ratepayers money to finance those who may attend. A Free Church elder from Lewis, a member of the said County Council, made an excellent speech in opposition to the decision and in defence of the Sabbath. Unfortunately, the Convener of the County, the Rev. Murdo Nicolson, also of the Free Church of Scotland, moved the adoption of the Committee’s minute in which the evil, new decision appeared. And he failed to speak out at the County Council in condemnation of the new policy, which holds no real respect for serious Sabbath observance. It is good to note that Mr Nicolson’s Presbytery took the matter up with him and also issued a statement condemning the County Council for the backward step they had taken in connection with the Lord’s Day. As a note of interest relative to the above, we at an educational meeting in Edinburgh, last May, heard a lecturer in Physical Education remark, that a number of school pupils from some part of the West of Scotland, returned home on a Saturday from Aviemore, when they heard that part of their educational activities were to include swimming instruction on the Lord’s Day. The lecturer was highly critical of those West Coast pupils over the action they took. We commend them; and in all probability the influence of their parents at home had much to do with their wise conduct. The action of Ross County Council is now an influence in the opposite direction. Men have to account to God for their deeds.
Another Dangerous Cult from America
We look upon the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science and other cults, most of which, in these modern times, seem to have their origin in America, extremely dangerous influences permeating Great Britain. They are anti the true Christian faith found in the Word of God and sad to say obtain many disciples. The Lord Jesus explained this in His Condemnation of the Jews who went about to kill Him because He told them the truth. He told them if any man came in his own name, him they would believe and follow. He meant, although such a man would bring with him false doctrine. Now the latest cult we have heard of establishing itself in Britain, is Scientology. It professes to be a kind of philosophy which the heads of this cult are said to teach. It is supposed to increase the ability of the whole man. The cost of courses runs from over £100 to over £200. Without going into further details, it is sufficient for us to conclude it is a dangerous cult, when the Minister of Health has exposed and condemned it on the floor of the House of Commons. Cults are not the subject of criticism in the House of Commons. This has been unusual action on the part of a Government Minister. Mr Robinson, the Minister of Health, stated that the activities of Scientology were a danger to the health of old and young who may be deceived into undertaking courses of instruction from this cult. Members of families have been alienated and separated from one another by the influence and effects of this new danger to the unwary. We are glad that the Government has banned the entry into Britain from America or any other country, of persons coming for the purpose of Scientology activities. We know it is a difficult matter from the legal aspect to ban people on religious grounds from practising all kinds of strange cults. But the strong action by the Government in this case indicates that there is something sinister involved in Scientology. There are many anti-Christ. Mormonism is in this category with other cults operating in Britain.
Church of England Articles
A Report was issued on 2nd August, 1968, by an Archbishops’ Commission, on the 39 Articles of the Church of England. To these Articles, evangelicals in the Church of England faithfully adhere. The Commission declared that no change should be made in any of the Articles. But from the terms of the Report this view was not altogether because of a unanimous adherence to the said Articles. In future, clergymen having to subscribe, or say ordination, to the doctrinal position of the Church, are to be required to subscribe to only a general acceptance of the Articles. And so the drift goes on, in the professing Christian Church, away from faithful and firm adherence to the sound doctrines of the faith of the Gospel, set down systematically in writing by Godly divines in our nation, centuries ago.