Parliament Votes for Entry into Europe
By large majorities in the House of Commons and House of Lords Parliament has expressed approval in principle for entry into Europe. As can be well imagined this decision has been received with jubilation by dedicated Common Market supporters. Those who have consistently opposed entry cannot share this elation being convinced that the dangers which they envisaged should Britain join the Common Market are as real now as they ever were.
Whether Britain will eventually join the Common Market on 1st January 1973 has still to be determined. A great amount of legislation has to be passed before this takes place. Therefore, as we have in the past, on religious grounds, consistently and conscientiously opposed entry into Europe let us continue to do so, prayerfully and actively seeking deliverance for our nation from an alliance fraught with such danger to our civil and religious liberties.
The Duke of Edinburgh and Polo
It is reported in the Press that the Duke of Edinburgh is to give up playing polo. For many years the Duke of Edinburgh’s polo playing on the Sabbath day has been a cause of grief to Sabbath loving Christians. The criticism which the Duke’s Sabbath desecration evoked—and which we understand he deeply resented—was prompted not by a pharisaical, self-righteous spirit but by a real love for the Royal Household and a sincere desire that Her Majesty and Her Majesty’s Consort might set a worthy example before their subjects in their respect for God’s Holy Day.
The Clarkston Disaster
In the month of October a disaster in Glasgow brought sadness to many homes. Twenty persons died after a gas explosion wrecked a number of premises in Clarkston. Persons out for their daily shopping were among those who lost their lives.
While our sympathy goes out to those who lost loved ones in this sad event it is a solemn reminder to us of the nearness of death. How suddenly were the victims of this disaster ushered into an endless eternity. It becomes us to seek preparation for death while the day of mercy lasts lest we be found at last like the foolish virgins. “For in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.”
‘Oz’ Editors win Appeal
The Court of Appeal quashed the sentences imposed in August on Richard Neville, James Anderson and Felix Dennis, also the deportation order on Neville. The sentences and deportation order had been imposed for offences against the Obscene Publications Act. The Lord Chief Justice indicated that the trial judge had made “a very substantial and serious misdirection” to the jury. The Court also decided that in future magazines should be judged item by item and not as a whole. This may make it easier to prosecute any publication for obscenity in the future.
Blasphemous Production
The latest evidence of the opposition of the stage to true Christianity is seen in a blasphemous production called “Jesus Christ Superstar”, purporting to portray the arrest, trial and crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Are there no limits to which men will descend in order to cast reproach upon the name of Christ and to ridicule the glorious work which He accomplished on Calvary? How bold men can be in their opposition to Christ! If the Lord will take to do with such for the dishonour done to His holy Name, how unenviable will their position be!
The Dangers of Smoking
Parents should set a good example before their family and so ought the teacher in school. Parents and teachers who smoke are partly to blame if their children and pupils take up the habit. We have to be practical in our example as well as in our teaching. Our wealth and resources have been entrusted to us by God and we are responsible to Him for their right use. Millions of pounds each year go up in smoke literally. The habit of smoking in which so many parents are setting a bad example is a flagrant violation of the principles of stewardship. How much is given to world missionary work in backward areas?—and what is the expenditure on smoke? A married couple each smoking 20 cigarettes a day are spending about £15.50 a month, which if both were wise could have gone to a better use. My attention was drawn to the case of a father who was drawing Social Security benefit over a long period and yet he could still afford to smoke—and drink and gamble!
From the Smoking and Health Fact Sheet No. 2 I quote, “It seems that the time has come when women should be told frankly that if they smoke they not only put their own lives in jeopardy, but if they continue to do so during pregnancy they also expose their unborn infants to an unnecessary risk.” Doctors all over the world have been looking at what happens to children if their Mothers smoked when pregnant. Among many conclusions we have, “An investigation showed that when the children of heavy smokers were 7 years old, their ability to read was about four months behind the children of non-smoking mothers. They were also slighter.”
If you smoke it is likely that your child will take up the habit later on. This is the time to stop for the sake of your own health and that of your children. There is so much involved. Nicotine is a drug and it has the inherent property and tendency to create an even greater craving for more. It is by no means unknown to see people rushing from the worship of God to light a cigarette. The craving is powerful and persistent as we know from experience. How morally wrong to become enslaved to this habit.
D.A. MacLean.