Rev. A. Murray, M.A.
The first day of June saw a Communion Sabbath in Applecross and in beautiful weather a congregation of about 200 persons had come by land and sea, some to participate in, and others to witness, the solemn event of the commemoration of Christ’s death for His Church. In the course of conversation while visiting a home in this congregation on the Saturday previous, the ministers present on that occasion were reminded of the different roads that lay ahead in the Lord’s Providence — as Mr Campbell was soon to return to his labours in Rhodesia, Mr MacInnes was later to visit again the friends in Italy, and on that next week I was to leave congregation and home for Canada.
One Wednesday, 4th June I parted with loved ones, as I endeavoured to commend them, the congregation and myself to the One Lord who alone is able to keep all of us wherever our lot may presently be cast under these heavens. In perfect weather, the sea journey to Mallaig and thence by rail to Glasgow, provided pleasant thoughts of the natural beauty of the home country. That night I spent in the hospitable home of our General Treasurer and next day I was further indebted to Mr and Mrs Fraser as they took me by their car to the international airport at Prestwick. Aircraft and flying, notwithstanding the 24 years that have passed since the end of World War II, I find still fascinate, so that it was perhaps with more than ordinary interest that I took my seat in a BOAC Boeing 707, and then we climbed out over the sea north of Ayr to continue our ascent to 35,000 ft. and pass directly above, and with almost perfect visibility, the islands of Arran, Jura, Tiree and Barra. Flying on a set course at high altitude tends to be tedious, but airlines largely succeed in relieving any feeling of boredom by serving excellent meals. For myself on this occasion there was the special interest to discover that the ‘plane’s Captain had been at the same ‘Pathfinder’ base in Lincolnshire where I had also been in 1944, so that he kindly invited me to the flight deck for a time. We were now over Greenland, which was enveloped in cloud and, while a visual look-out was something much insisted upon in the past, the modern airliner possesses a radar scanner which searches the air 140 miles ahead. Also we had taken this northerly route to avoid “jet-streams” — air currents at high altitude of up to 130 knots not appreciated till more recent years — further south over the Atlantic. The Davis Strait was still full of pack-ice in June so that it was not easy to discover where sea ended and the snow-clad mountains of Labrador began. Here we were at the same latitude as Shetland and it was June, but still severe winter by our standards, which calls upon one to remember the benefits which the Gulf Stream brings to our northern homelands; indeed, how all these wonders should cause us to exclaim — “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches” (Ps. 104: 24). Toronto, at a latitude of northern Spain, was our destination and there we landed safely — after seven hours aloft in one direct flight. The time was, however, only two hours later (by local time) than when we had left Scotland. One does not readily adjust to this sudden change in the daily routine but I may mention my present thoughts with regard to this phenomenon. Possibly several among us have experienced the difficulty of remembering our New Zealand friends relative to their times of worship and say at Communion seasons especially. The wisdom of God, however, is to be seen in all these things, and the consideration has considerably impressed me — that just as the lamps were always to be kept burning in God’s temple at Jerusalem, so even in the Free Presbyterian Church there are some in Africa, Canada and Australia who are engaged in God’s worship in public or in private throughout the 24 hours of each day. Like the priests in former days we may each seek to perform the duties of our “course” (cf. Lk. 1: 5 and 8).
Toronto was to prove a home from home as the welcome I had anticipated was more than realised in fact at the home of my sister-in-law, i.e. Mr and Mrs James Fraser. Their seven children recalled the scene among their Scottish cousins. Mrs Fraser, sen., kindly met me at the airport. It was indeed pleasant after 14 years from the time of my previous visit to these parts to meet former acquaintances and to find that not too much change was evident in our friends in Canada. Of course some who were only children are now almost men and women, and the years again leave large blanks such as Mr Fraser and Mr and Mrs Rod Campbell, with whom myself and many former deputies had found unfailing hospitality.
On Tuesday of last week, the 17th June, I left Toronto to travel for $5\frac{1}{2}$ hours by bus to the city of Detroit in the United States. There I was met by Mr and Mrs Lawson, to be taken to the same hospitable home where, with my wife and eldest daughter, we had stayed on a previous occasion. Because of the extent of this city it took all of the next day to visit Millers, Campbells and Mrs Mackenzie and family at Grosse Ille, and this was only possible with Mr Lawson as my willing driver. Mrs Mackenzie is now in her 88th year, but although she is recovering from an operation I was pleased to find her looking well.
On Thursday 19th, I reached my present abode at Hillsdale, some eighty miles to the south-west of Detroit, the house of Mrs C. Maclennan and her unmarried daughter. I kept services on Thursday and Friday evening, when another branch of the Maclennan family from North Adams were present. On Sabbath I preached to this little group. The expected friends from Detroit did not arrive for one reason or another but, possibly, they may be here next week (D.V.). Mrs Maclennan had notified a number around of these services and her zeal for the things of God’s kingdom remains unabated.
On Wednesday of this present week I plan making a brief visit to the De Korne family in Grand Rapids. Next weekend (D.V.) I again intend keeping services at Hillsdale from Thursday till Monday, after which I expect to return to Toronto and in the absence of the minister keep the weekly prayer meeting at Bloor Street. It will be interesting to see if any start has been made in building the new church in Toronto for which I saw the contract signed. In the Lord’s good providence the sale of the old property at Bloor Street permits the small congregation to possess new and commodious manse and church properties with adequate parking facilities in a developing area of north-east Toronto. The material side of things is alway necessary and I wish them comparable success in the endearing things of the Spirit.
My main field of labour is, of course, to be Winnipeg and I hold an air ticket to arrive there, if the Lord will, on Friday, July 4th.