Moral Bankruptcy of W.C.C.
The decision of the World Council of Churches to give £80,000 to organisations engaged in resisting racialism, mainly in South Africa, has brought embarrassed explanations from its officials. This money has come from West Germany and America being specially earmarked for this purpose. The suspicion is strong, however, that the money is finding its way into the hands of such revolutionary groups as the Fremilo (Mozambique), Zapu and Zanu (Rhodesia), the MPLA and Unita (Angola), guerrilla organisations, who employ violence and terror, and have been responsible for wide-spread mutilation and death to innocent fellow Africans who do not share their views. Many of their members are trained in revolutionary warfare in Communist countries, are actually led by dedicated Communists, and none is known to have Christian sympathies or have ever aided any Christian cause.
Rt. Rev. M. H. Duke, Episcopal Bishop of St. Andrews has issued a letter to his diocese in an attempt to meet the demand from within his own church that the annual grant to the World Council funds should cease, by explaining that the money is meant to help oppressed peoples in their fight for freedom. He admits in his letter that some of the organisations attacking the Smith regime in Rhodesia and in Portuguese East Africa are guerrilla-run, but he adds: “What can be said for all of them is that they do seem to be on the side of the oppressed”. In defence of the grant the bishop makes the absurd charge that inaction lends aid to “greater violence through racial oppression than the tactics which freedom fighters use to overcome it.” Recently, the Church of Scotland also appealed to its members to give a day’s pay to the underdeveloped nations, setting the target at £1,000,000, but the response amounted to some £200,000, with many of the envelopes remaining untouched in the pew. The fear that any money given would be used not for the relief of suffering — the stocks of food and medical supplies left at the time of the Nigerian War to rot in the warehouses in Biafra lend some ground to this fear — but to aid the guerrilla groups in their revolutionary activities, may account for this poor response. Brigadier Sir Bernard Fergusson in a letter to the press protested against the action of the Church of Scotland with the accusation of “Church support for extremists”. It has long been known that the W.C.C. has been infiltrated with hard core Communism, involving left wing politics, and the ecumenical craze in much the same way is influencing the Church of Scotland leaders. The World Council of Churches has no message of salvation to bring to the heathen nations of the world, and now, it seems, they have nothing to offer that will help them in their political affairs either. Purblind worldly churchmen, when they interfere in the internal affairs of other nations, only expose their moral and spiritual bankruptcy.
C.
A Ruinous Policy
It is reported in the press that in making an up to date review of the huge Tourist Centre at Aviemore in the North of Scotland, Sir Hugh Fraser, a director of the Highland Tourist (Cairngorm) Developments, the organisation behind the scheme, admitted that since the opening of this vast Tourist complex in 1966 at Aviemore, the scheme has not yet shown a profit. This year it is expected merely to ‘wash its face’. The skating rinks and the swimming pool have turned out to be “white elephants”. To correct this failure it was proposed either to open still larger buildings for big entertainment, incorporating swimming, skating, go-karting, etc., or charge increased entry fees. In taking stock of the prospects of this vast Tourist centre the promoters would do well to consider why success has so far eluded them. It seems that the centre is self-contained, and has therefore, instead of helping the local trades and businesses, as was expected, brought no great benefit in the way of business to the local people. More serious still, the centre has gone in for Sabbath desecration on a vast scale, and special trains during the winter months unload hordes of pleasure-seekers from London and elsewhere at Aviemore, for weekend skiing. Thousands of these ungodly worshippers of pleasure roam the Cairngorm Mountains on the Lord’s Day, heedless both of the protests of Christian bodies or the Lord’s displeasure. The Lord, however, is not mocked, and if patrons of pleasure cannot understand spiritual realities they may perhaps be made to learn by failure and disappointment that the Lord’s hand is against them.
The same press report also intimates another vast Tourist attraction, costing £6,000,000, known as the Highland Gateway, to be constructed at Strathblane, 25 minutes run from Glasgow, lying on the main route to the Highlands, and within easy reach of Loch Lomond and Glasgow and Prestwick Air-ports. The project will include hotels, three massive sky-domes for sport, exhibitions and conferences, a championship golf course, and so on, and is financed by Sir Hugh Fraser, other financiers and brewer companies. It is expected to provide 400 jobs, will be ready in 3 years, and aid the economic growth in Scotland. In all these schemes, the ominous emphasis is laid upon leisure and entertainment, which today are not only associated with but have almost become synonymous with Sabbath desecration. Pleasure that is won at the expense of God’s Holy Day will in the end prove ruinous to the promoters of these vast Tourist attractions and bring bitter disillusionment to the thoughtless multitudes who may be induced to frequent them. One of the main causes of the downfall of God’s own chosen people, Israel, was her Sabbath desecration, and our nation of Sabbath breakers is preparing the ground for the judgments which, unless repentance intervene, will surely be meted out by the hand of the Most High.
C.
Vatican Centenary
This is Rome’s centenary year. The events of 20th September 1870, however, though written in large letters in the records of the Roman Catholic Church, cannot bring any comfort to the Vatican authorities in Rome. On this date a hundred years ago, the troops of General Cadorna stormed through the northern gate of Porta Pia, quickly quashed the token resistance of the Pope’s army, and Rome once the capital of the Roman Empire and also the capital of the Papal States, was taken over by the Italian troops and the unification of Italy at last declared. The temporal power of the Pope came to an end. This is a significant date, for barely two months before Pope Pius IX had ‘Infallibility’ conferred upon him by decree of the Vatican Council. The pope withdrew into the Vatican which stands on the right bank of the Tiber inside the boundary of Rome, occupying about 100 acres where St. Peter’s basilica stands with the Vatican palaces and gardens. The Italian President took up residence on the Quirinal Hill, once the Summer residence of the pope, on the street newly named the “20th September”, to mark the achievement of the unification of Italy.
In 1870 the population of Rome was no more than 200,000, but today the city has spread far beyond the old boundaries into the countryside to accommodate the 3 million inhabitants. By the Lateran Pacts which the Vatican concluded with the Fascist Government in 1929, she has recovered her position as an independent and sovereign state, and in compensation for her loss of temporal power received compensation to the value of about £20 millions. Along with property held in Rome and throughout Italy, and holdings abroad, this sum skillfully invested has made the Vatican one of the leading financial powers in the world today. The total value of her investments has never been disclosed. A concordat made at the same time formally declared that Roman Catholicism was the official religion of Italy. The Vatican wields great political power in Italy today. Last year, a Divorce Bill which was passed by the Italian Lower House of Parliament failed to reach the Upper House because the Bill was challenged by the Vatican as a breach of the Lateran Treaties, and led to the fall of Rumor’s Government. The commemoration of the reunification of Italy, which is expected to last for 6 months, is likely to be celebrated on a modest scale, as Rome for all her great world wide prestige is a city ridden with poverty and whose accumulated debt stands at the crushing figure of £1000 million. The presence of an independent sovereign power on the other bank of the Tiber, enjoying with Rome diplomatic privileges (for two diplomatic representatives are required, one to the Italian State and another to the Holy See), and backing and often controlling the Christian Democratic Party which has had a majority in Parliament since the fall of Fascism, is clearly a threat to the sovereignty of the Italian State. Till the political and financial powers and the religious claims of the vastly rich Vatican corporation are severely curbed, Italy is not likely to enjoy any measure of prosperity.
C.
Church Notes
London Communion Services
The London communion services will be as follows (D.V.): Thursday, 3rd December, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Friday, 4th December, 11 a.m. (Prayer Meeting) and 6.30 p.m. (Fellowship Meeting); Saturday, 5th December, 2.30 p.m. (Gaelic), 3.30 p.m. (English) and 6.30 p.m. (Prayer Meeting); Sabbath, 6th December, 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.; Monday, 7th December, 7 p.m. The weekday services will be held in the Bridewell Hall, London City Mission, Eccleston Place, S.W.1., and the Sabbath services in St. Michael’s Hall (opposite Victoria Coach Station), Eccleston Place, S.W.1. Rev. J. A. MacDonald, Fort William, and Rev. John Macleod, M.A., Stornoway, are expected to assist at the communion (D.V.).
Induction of Missionary to the Jews
Southern Presbytery.
Induction of the Rev. H. R. Moshe Radcliff, Th.L., to work among the Jews as a minister of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Consequent upon a Synod motion of May, 1970, the Southern Presbytery met in St. Jude’s Church, Glasgow, on Wednesday, the 23rd day of September, 1970, at 7 p.m., in order to the above induction. The members of the Jewish and Foreign Mission Committee had been invited to attend, but the majority were unable to do so and sent apologies for absence. The Rev. Robert R. Sinclair, Wick, and Rev. John Colquhoun, Convener, were present and were associated with the Presbytery.
After the return of the Edict calling this meeting as served in St. Jude’s Church by the Rev. D. MacLean on Sabbath, 13th September, 1970, and witnessed as served in the face of the congregation, and no objection being offered, the Rev. Lachlan MacLeod, Greenock, Moderator of Presbytery, proceeded to conduct public worship, preaching a most appropriate discourse from Ezekiel, Chapter 36, Verses 24-28. As this Sermon is to be published in the Church Magazine, D.V., it is unnecessary to comment here upon some of the excellent points raised in it.
Public worship being ended, the Clerk read out a Narrative of the Proceedings leading up to this Induction, and then the Questions, to which Rev. H. R. M. Radcliff returned satisfactory answers, one by one. Then, upon the Moderator’s asking him if he was prepared to sign the Formula which had been read out also by the Clerk, he said that he was, and thereupon signed the Formula in the presence of the Congregation.
The Moderator then engaged in solemn prayer and, prayer being ended did Induct and Admit the Rev. H. R. M. Radcliff in the following words:— “I do now by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, the alone King and Head of His Church, and in the name of the Southern Presbytery, Induct and Admit you, Mr H. R. Moshe Radcliff to work among the Jews as a minister of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.” The Moderator then gave Mr Radcliff the right hand of fellowship, and the other members of Presbytery and associated members did likewise. Mr Radcliff was then addressed by Rev. D. B. Macleod, London, in suitable and encouraging terms, and the meeting was then addressed by the Rev. Robert R. Sinclair, Wick, Vice Convener of the Jewish and Foreign Mission Committee. Mr Sinclair spoke in appropriate and solemn terms mainly of our work as a Church among the Jews, and that now when Mr Radcliff was taking up the work laid down by the late Rev. Donald Urquhart that we should pray especially for the Holy Spirit, regarding this ministry as a reviving of the work of our Jewish Mission. Mr Sinclair further stressed our needs at all times of being kept by the Lord. The Moderator then closed the public meeting with the singing of Psalm 122 from verse 6 and the benediction. Mr Radcliff shook hands with the congregation at the door of the Church as they went out. Our desire is that the Lord would greatly bless Mr Radcliff in his person and labours among his own people and among others also.
We think we cannot close this short notice more appropriately than by quoting the words of verse 7 of the concluding Psalm of this Induction Service:— “Pray that Jerusalem may have peace and felicity: Let them that love thee and thy peace have still prosperity.” PSALMS, 122 : 7.
MALCOLM MACSWEEN, Clerk of Presbytery.
Acknowledgment of Donations
The General Treasurer, Mr Wm. D. Fraser, 20 Daleview Avenue, Kelvin-dale, Glasgow, W.2., acknowledges the following donations with sincere thanks :
Sustentation Fund—Mrs A. MacLeod, Brora, £5; A. MacKay, Quidinish, £1.
Jewish & Foreign Mission Fund — E. MacKay, Bettyhill, 10/-; J. K. Hogg, Berkhamstead, £2; Anon., Inverness, £50, per Rev. A. F. M.
Aged & Infirm Ministers’ etc. Fund — A. Furgie, Redding, £40.
Home of Rest Fund — Anon., Skye postmark, £5; Croy Friend, £5, both per Rev. A. F. M.
Home of Rest Fund — Anon., Raasay, £1; Mrs Rattray, £2; Two Stornoway friends per E.M., £5.
The Publications Treasurer, Mr W. M. MacKenzie, C.A., 10 Beaufort Road, Inverness, acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations:
Free Distribution Magazine Fund — Mrs Steedman, Winnipeg, 18/-; Mr A. Furgie, Falkirk, 16/-.
Publications Fund — Mr J. L. Clugston, Sydney, 6/-; Mr J. L. C., Sydney, per W. F., 10/-.
The Treasurers of the following Congregations acknowledges with sincere thanks :
Inverness — Croy Friend, £5 for Church Extension Fund, per Rev. A.F.M.
Stornoway — Mrs Donald MacLean, 12 Bulnacraig Street, Stornoway, “in memory of her beloved son” the sum of £30 (£10 each for Sustentation, Foreign Mission and Home Mission Funds); two friends, Inverness, £10 for congregational purposes.
Ingwenya — From Mission Friends in Holland per Mr J. Reyers, H Fl. 90,000 (\$17,765.31).
Scourie — Miss C. Murray, per Miss Sutherland, £5; D. MacDonald, per Mr R. Ross, £5, both for Church Renovation Fund.
Lochcarron — £3 for decoration of Lochcarron Church, per Rev. A. E. W. MacDonald, Gairloch.
Greenock — Envelope in Plate, £10 (£5 for Church Lighting and £5 for Interior Decorating); For Congregational Purposes — A Friend, Ness, £5, per Rev. L. MacLeod; A Friend, Greenock, £100; For Car Maintenance — £5 from Mrs D. Heaney, per Rev. L. MacLeod; £10 from A. MacPherson, Greenock; For Church Lighting — £15 from A. MacPherson, Greenock; For Congregational Purposes — £2 from Friend of the Cause, Harris; £2 from F.P., Harris, per Rev. L. MacLeod.
Glendale — A Friend, £5 for Church expenses per Rev. J. C.; From the estate of the late Miss Christina Nicolson, £500, for the use of Glendale Church.
Beauly Church Building Fund — A. Macleod, £10; Friend, £5; Friend, Dingwall, £5, per Mr Kelly; Mrs Higgins, Ayrshire, £1; M. Campbell, Applecross, £2; A Friend, £10, per K. MacKenzie; A Friend, Lochbroom, £5; A Friend of the Cause, Inverness, £5; Inverness Friends, £3, per Mr A. Maclellan; The Livingstone Family, Muir-of-Ord, £20; Resident, Home of Rest, Inverness, £100; A. F. MacD., Drumnadrochit, £2; Dingwall Friend, £5; Dutch Friend, per Mr Graham, £23; Envelope in Plate, £5.
Broadford Manse Building Fund — Mr R. Robertson, Breakish, £5; Friend, Tarbert, Harris, £4; Friend, North Tolsta, per Mr L. MacKinnon, £3; Friend, Broadford, 6th Don., £10; Anon. Friend, Portree, £10; Friend, Wick, £1; Friend, Tarbert, Harris, per Mr D. MacKay, £2; Anon. Broadford, £5; Friend, Raasay, per Mrs MacLeod, £1.
Auckland Manse Fund — July, Anonymous, Stornoway, \$27.00; September, Anon., Stornoway, \$6.22.
Tain and Fearn Manse Fund — ” M.S.,” £5; ” I.M.,” Lochbroom, £5.
Applecross — Mrs MacBeath, Kyle, £2, for Communion Collection; £2 from Friend of the Cause, Tarbert; £2 from F.P., Harris, both for sustentation Fund, per Rev. A. Murray; Envelope in Plate for Communion Collection.
Portree — Turnbridge Wells Friend, £5 for Congregational Purposes, per Rev. F. MacD.; For Church Hall repairs, Anon, Portree, £5, per Rev. F. MacD.
Raasay — ” A Righteous Man’s Memorial,” £1 Sustentation fund, £1 Home Mission Fund, £1 Jewish and Foreign Mission, £2 for church carpet, with sincere thanks per treasurer.
Aberdeen — N.S. for Supply Fund, £5; Anon., per Mrs E. D. Tallach, £10.