London Church and Manse Fund Appeal
Eight years ago the London Deacons’ Court issued an appeal on behalf of the above Fund which was responded to by many people throughout the Church. Even at that time the prospects of obtaining a suitable building or site in central London were not very bright. As time passed the hope of obtaining a place centrally situated seemed more and more remote.
In the providence of the Lord, the Deacons’ Court recently heard of an old Methodist Church in Battersea which is for sale. It is situated a short distance south of Battersea Bridge and less than two miles from Victoria where our congregation at present worship. Negotiations are already in progress for the purchase of the building and it is expected that a mutually acceptable price will be arrived at very shortly. As the building would require considerable outlay to bring it to a reasonable condition for the holding of services, it is proposed to demolish the existing building and use the site to build a Church and Manse.
We are sure that the people of the Church are fully aware of the desirability of having a Free Presbyterian place of worship in the city of London, where our congregation has been established for over sixty years. Owing to the high cost of purchasing land anywhere near the centre of London this can only be achieved by the expenditure of a large sum of money. At its meeting in May, the Synod recognised the fact that the provision of a suitable Church for the London congregation was beyond the resources of that congregation alone and decided that provision of a Church should be considered as the responsibility of the whole Church. The Synod set up a Committee to assist the London congregation in this particular matter. The total cost of the project is estimated to be in the region of £30,000.
The Deacons’ Court appeal to people throughout the Church for financial help in this venture, as the Lord enables them. Persons willing to give interest-free loans towards the building project are requested to write to Mr John MacDonald, Clerk to the Deacons’ Court, 14 Andrews Road, Farnborough, Hants., indicating the amount they are prepared to advance. Donations to the Church and Manse Fund, which will be greatly received, should be sent to the Congregational Treasurer, Mr John Campbell, 93 Oaks Avenue, Worcester Park, Surrey. Donations received will be acknowledged in the Magazine in due course.
The Synod Committee support this appeal.
(Rev.) Robert R. Sinclair, Convener.
Bibles and Metrical Psalms
Questions are often asked about the availability of Bibles in the Authorised Version including the Psalms in metre. During the last twenty years the Oxford and Cambridge University Presses and Her Majesty’s Printers have greatly reduced the range of Bibles containing Psalms only, without the Scottish Hymnary, and several type faces and binding styles have been dropped. In the current catalogue issued by H.M. Printers all Bibles containing the metrical Psalms contain the Scottish Hymnary also. Some book-shops carry a very limited stock and many people have difficulty in obtaining the Bible of their choice.
The Trinitarian Bible Society has prepared a complete list of all Bibles which are still available without the hymnary. Details are given of fifteen type faces and forty-four binding styles at prices from 8/6d to £6. Included in the list are seven Bibles prepared specially for the Society without the five hymns, paraphrases and doxologies which normally appear at the end of the Psalms. Copies of this list may be obtained from the office of the Society at 217 Kingston Road, London, S.W. 19, or from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom, 160 Pitt Street, Glasgow C.2. Bibles on the list may be ordered directly from the Society or through local booksellers. A type-specimen sheet will also be supplied by the Society on request and additional details of the binding materials.
Terence H. Brown, Secretary.
Ordination and Induction at Lochcarron
On the 27th October the Western Presbytery met in Lochcarron Church for the purpose of Ordaining Mr John Walter Ross to the office of the holy ministry and Inducting him to the pastoral charge of the congregation. The church was full, many having come from long distances. The sermon was preached by Rev. Fraser MacDonald, Portree, and the new minister was addressed by Rev. Malcolm MacInnes, Ullapool, while the congregation was addressed by Rev. Alfred MacDonald, Gairloch. An opportunity was given to the congregation to shake hands with their minister as they were going out of the church. We believe that Mr Ross will preach the same gospel which was so richly blessed in Lochcarron during the ministry of the famous Rev. Lachlan Mackenzie. The people of Lochcarron therefore have a great privilege afforded them. Our desire is that they will make use of it, and that their minister will get many souls for his hire.
J. C., Presbytery Clerk.
Services in Newcastle
The Church Extension Committee have commenced holding services in Newcastle. The services are held on Monday evenings at St Paul’s Primary School, Victoria Street, Newcastle. Victoria Street is off Westmoreland Road, which road is near the Central Station in Newcastle. The service commences at 7.30 p.m. and is generally conducted by one of the students of the Church.
It is to be hoped that readers of the Magazine who have friends in that area will encourage them to attend. All information with regard to these services may be obtained from Mrs Huddart, Park Drive, Whickham, Newcastle. Tel. No. Whickham 887858.
Aberdeen Congregation
Lately the Sabbath Services have been held in the Music Hall on Union Street due to lack of space in the hall on Summerfield Terrace. The prayer meetings on Wednesday and the Sabbath School on Sabbath afternoon continue as before in Summerfield Terrace.
If any of the readers know of any Free Presbyterians in Aberdeen, either permanent residents or students, who might be interested in knowing about the church here, we would be glad to hear of them. Please write to — Dr Cameron Tallach, 25 Balgownie Road, Aberdeen.
List of Communions
The list of communions in this issue has been corrected for 1971. The Editor would be grateful for a note of any further corrections which may be necessary.