Permanent Abolition of Death Penalty
The Government of the day must bear full responsibility for all legislation enacted during its term of office. What that responsibility implies in connection with the abolition of the death penalty is eloquently summed up in the following statement by Mr Quintin Hogg, M.P. — “I believe there are people dead today who might have been alive if the law had been different.” The Government has the power, if it has the will, to reject any legislation of which it does not approve. It clearly did not have the will to restore the death penalty, as is reflected in the fact that 282 Labour M.P.s voted in favour of abolition and only 2 against. This vote in defiance of the will of the people — Mr Duncan Sandys, M.P., presented a petition containing over one million signatures appealing for restoration of the death penalty — is a distinct challenge to democracy. The Government, it would appear, is determined that from now on government is to be for the people but not by the people. But far more serious is the challenge to the Divine law. The law of man is now exalted in the place of the law of God and in this way God’s authority in the nation is called into question. We cannot share the complacency of the Archbishop of Canterbury that the decision to abolish capital punishment permanently “will redound in very many ways to the advantage and honour of the nation.”
It is regrettable, at a time when the moral standards of the nation are under attack from every quarter, that the Government should be taking a leading part in challenging, undermining and abolishing these standards. We cannot but ask the question — Whither is the Government leading the nation? — and we cannot escape the conclusion that it is to moral and national ruin, unless God, in His mercy, prevent it.
British Troops in Northern Ireland
The Protestant Telegraph, a newspaper issued in Belfast in support of Rev. Ian Paisley, makes serious allegations in its issue of 22nd November, 1969, with regard to the role of British troops in Northern Ireland. It is alleged that the troops have gone far beyond their legitimate peace-keeping role and have taken part in intimidating action against certain sections of the Protestant population. In the light of these allegations it is plainly the duty of the British Government to investigate them and, if they are substantiated, to take action against the responsible parties. It would serve a useful purpose, too, if the role of the Roman Catholic hierarchy of Northern Ireland in the recent disturbances in that country received more close scrutiny. This might very quickly reveal the true cause of dispeace in Ulster.
Sex Education for Schools
Modern education presents many problems for adolescents. This is due particularly to its lack of religious and moral content. The latest hazard is the presentation on radio and television of programmes on sex education for use in schools. A subject which was once handled only with the utmost delicacy is now to be thrust upon the minds of young impressionable children with the greatest indelicacy, and totally unrelated to religious or moral teaching, if the Press accounts of the content of these programmes is accurate. In our view it is just another aspect of the attack made in recent times on Christian moral teaching, and is an attempt to abolish the reserve and modesty which is becoming in these matters and which Christianity does its utmost to inculcate.
Corrections to January Issue
We apologise to our readers for the following errors in the last issue of the Magazine. (1) The word ‘not’ should not have appeared in the title of the second article (page 260). (2) The word ‘useful’ was omitted after the word ‘however’ on page 279, line 2. (3) The first line of the Scourie Church Appeal (page 286) should have read — The Scourie Church is the original wood and iron structure — in place of the existing line. —Editor.
Scourie Church Appeal
Donations to Scourie Church Appeal should be sent to Mr Chris Munro, Scourie, by Lairg, Sutherland.
Acknowledgment of Donations
The General Treasurer, Mr Wm. D. Fraser, 20 Daleview Avenue, Kelvindale, Glasgow, W.2, acknowledges the following donations with sincere thanks:
Sustentation Fund — Mrs MacLennan, Hillsdale, $25; A. MacKay, Quiddinish, £1; Miss J. Munro, Bettyhill, £5; K. Maclean, Peterhead, £10; Mrs M. McArthur, Forres, £5; Mr D. MacKenzie, Glenelg, £4 (last two per R.W.M.M.).
Home Mission Fund — Door Collection, Farr, Bettyhill, £4; K. Maclean, Peterhead, £5.
Jewish & Foreign Mission Fund — A. Forgie, Redding, £50; M.M.D., £5 (for Mission Transport); Mrs MacLennan, Hillsdale, $25; Miss J. Munro, Bettyhill, £5; Portree Sabbath School, £50; K. Maclean, Peterhead, £5; “A Friend, G.R. Michigan”, £39.2/-; Mr D. MacKenzie, Glenelg, £2; Mrs P. Vanderval, 8/- (last three per R.W.M.M.).
Aged & Infirm Ministers’ etc. Fund — A. Forgie, Redding, £50; M.G., Glasgow, £1.
College & Library Fund — M.G., Glasgow, £2.
Dominions & Overseas Fund — Mrs MacLennan, Hillsdale, $25; Fowler-Gibson Family, Calgary, “In memory of our late mother, Mrs C. F. Gibson”, £19.4.7.
China Mission Fund — Miss J. Munro, Bettyhill, £2.
Home of Rest Fund — Mrs MacLennan, Hillsdale, $25; Resident, £5; Resident, £5; Mrs Graham, Uig, Skye, £3; Mr John Livingstone, Muir of Ord, £5 (per Rev. A.F.M.); Two Residents, £10; Anon., Glasgow, £5 (for New Year dinner); Resident, £1 (for petrol); Mr J. Livingstone, Muir of Ord, £5 (per Rev. A.F.M.); Mrs MacLennan, Raasay Cottage, Ardineaskan, £5 (per Mr R. MacRae); Wm. J. Livingstone, Lochcarron, £5; Miss Catherine Chisholm, Lochcarron, £5; Mrs D. MacLeod, Wick, £3; Mr John Haarsman, Ripon, California, £37 (last four per R.W.M.M.).
Free Distribution Magazine Fund — North Court, Applecross, £1 (per Rev. A. MacPherson); Mrs A. Livingstone, Dunoon, £3.18/-; Mr D. MacL., Cedar Rapids, £23.7.8; J. McN., Tongue, 18/-; M. MacR., Achmore, 6/-; Mrs A. Livingstone, Dunoon, £3.18/-; Mrs A. MacL., Ardmair, 10/-; Mr and Mrs D. MacLeod, Seaview, 18/-; Miss A. Morrison, Miavaig, 8/-; Mr Malcolm MacLeod, 8/-; Mrs P. MacCuish, Harris, 18/-; Mrs Mary Morrison, Altavaig, £1; Mr D. J. MacKay, Bonar Bridge, £1; Mrs Wilson, Bonar Bridge, £1; Mr George Blackadder, Cardross, 8/-; Mrs I. Munro, Dalchreicht, 18/-; Miss Ishbel MacLean, Inverness, 6/-; “Friend”, Dumbarton, 18/-; Mrs C. M. Murray, Edinburgh, 3/-; Mrs Isa Matheson, Kyle of Lochalsh, 3/-; Miss M. Stewart, Kyle, £1.2/-; Miss Annie Mackenzie, Inverasdale, 10/-; Mr R. MacCrimmon, Inverness, 18/-.
Welfare of Youth Fund — Schoolteacher Friend, £6 (per Rev. A. MacPherson); Mr D. MacL., Cedar Rapids, £23; Miss Annie Mackenzie, Inverasdale, 8/-; Mr J. Gillanders, Hayes, £1; Mr R. Gillanders, Applecross, £2; Mrs Baker, Maidstone, £1.11/-; M.S., Glasgow, £1; Mr J. MacLennan, Muir of Ord, 10/-; Friend, Glasgow, £5.5/-.
Mr Wm. MacKenzie, 7 Crown Drive, Inverness, Treasurer of Aberdeen Church Building Fund, acknowledges with thanks the following: — Anon., Laig postmark, £1; South Harris Friends, £4.4/-; N. McCuish, Glasgow, £2; D. McCuish, Inverness, £5; Dolina and Donald McLeod, Achiltibuie, £2; Mr and Mrs M. J. McArthur, Stornoway, £3; K. McL., Inverness, £2; Miss M. M. Morrison, 14 Tollycroft, Poolewe, £2; Mr and Mrs M. Livingstone, Ashgrove, Lochcarron, £5 (for Aberdeen Pulpit Supply) (last two per R.W.M.M.).
The Treasurers of the following Congregations acknowledge with sincere thanks:—
Inverness Ladies Rhodesian Mission Fund — Collection at Meeting, with additional donations by mail, £91.10/- (per Mrs A. F. MacKay).
Shieldaig — Friend, Scallamus, Skye, £1.10/- (for Congregational purposes); “Friend”, envelope in plate, £1 (for Sustentation Fund).
Flashadder — Friend, £12 (per Mr Chaplin, for Home Mission Fund); Friend, Edinburgh, £2 (for Congregational purposes).
Lochinver — J.C., Inchnadampth, £5 (for Sustentation Fund).
Mhumba Mission Hospital — Anonymous, Vancouver, $50.
Applecross — A Friend, Ullapool, £3 (for Sustentation Fund); A Friend, North Coast, Applecross, £3 (for Sustentation Fund), (both per Rev. A. Murray); Nurse D. MacDonald, £5 (for Congregational funds, per Miss Johan MacKinnon).
Beauly — Dingwall Friend, £50; Dingwall Friend, £5; Dingwall Friend, £1; Mr & Mrs D. Macleod, Seaview, Achiltibuie, £2 (per Rev. D. A. MacFarlane); J. Stewart, Fortrose, £5; Mrs Charlotte MacLennan, Hillsdale, Michigan, £20.1/- (per R.W.M.M.).
Bracadale — Repairs Fund: 2 Balgown, Struan, £13; A. J. MacD., Keistle, in memory of Peter Beaton, £1 (both per Rev. F. MacD.); A Friend, Stornoway, £10 (per Rev. J. Colquhoun); J.M.L., Northton, £2 (per D. MacAskill); D. Macpherson, Torvaig, Portree, £6 (per Alasdair Beaton); Friend of the Cause, £2 (per Mrs P. Stewart); A Harris Friend, £3 (per Mr P.K.); 2 Balgown, £6 (per D. Y. Mackinnon).
Fort William — Mr & Mrs Macleod, Cedar Cottage, Drimnin, £2; Mr Cameron, Lochaline, £1; Mrs Campbell, Kinlochleven, £1; “Friend”, Tyndrum, 10/- (all per Rev. J. A. McDonald for Sustentation Fund).
Glendale — A Friend, Glendale (per Rev. J.C. for Foreign Mission Fund); Friends, £10 (for Sustentation Fund, per Rev. J.C.); Trinitarian Bible Society, £45.
Greenock — Anon., Ullapool postmark, £3 (for Sustentation Fund); Mr & Mrs H., £2 (for Foreign Mission), £6 (for Sustentation Fund), £2 (for Home Mission), £2 (for Congregational Purposes) (per Rev. L. MacLeod); Mr McInnes, Ayr, £5 (for Congregational Purposes, per Mr C. MacNish).
Portree — “Anon.”, Braes, £5 (for Church Bus per Rev. F. MacD.); Wellwisher, £4 (for Foreign Mission) and £3 (for Home Mission); Mrs Petts and Miss Flora MacKinnon, Flashadder, £2 each (for Sustentation Fund); Mrs MacKinnon, Uig, £10 (for Sustentation Fund per Rev. F. MacD.); In plate envelope containing £5 (for Church Bus).
Staffin — Communion Expenses: Anon. in plate, £15; Friend, Dunvegan, £5; Two Raasay Friends, £1 each. Sustentation Fund, 1969: Anon., £100. Manse Stove: In plate, £65. Trinitarian Bible Society: Envelope in plate, £5.