London Communion Services
The services will be as follows (D.V.):—
Thursday, 30th March, 7 p.m. Friday, 31st March, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Fellowship Meeting): Saturday, 1st April, 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. (Prayer Meeting): Sabbath, 2nd April, 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.; Monday, 3rd April, 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, Eccleston Place, (opposite Victoria Coach Station)—Rev. Alfred MacDonald, M.A., Gairloch, and Rev. Fraser Tallach, M.A., Broadford, are expected to assist at the communion (D.V.).
Ordination of Deacons at Aberdeen
On Wednesday, 26th January, 1972, Dr Cameron Tallach, Mr William MacKenzie and Mr Kenneth MacKenzie were ordained to the office of deacon in the Aberdeen congregation. The prayers of the people of the Church are requested for these young men as they undertake their responsible duties in the Lord’s Cause.
Rhodesian Mission
Miss C. Turner, Mr and Mrs J.A. Tallach and family have all returned to this country to enjoy a well-earned furlough. The Committee would remind nurses in the Church of the need at Mbuma Hospital for their services, as indicated in the Committee’s advertisement.
Miss Alison Dunbar, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.O.G. (Edin.), who belongs to the London congregation, has kindly offered to go out to Mbuma Hospital to relieve Dr James Tallach who is due home for leave in April. The Committee accepted Miss Dunbar’s offer and are indebted to her for her willingness to assist in this way. Miss Dunbar expects to be out for six months.
Rev. Donald Campbell, Zenka, has intimated his resignation from his charge in Zenka as he feels he should now return to Scotland. The Committee has accepted Mr Campbell’s resignation and wish to thank him for his labours in Rhodesia. Mr Campbell is, of course, free to be called by any congregation at home which may feel led to seek him as their minister.
(Rev.) Donald MacLean, Clerk
Aid for Distressed in Ulster
Reformed Presbyterian Church,
24 Knockbreda Road,
Belfast 6 OJB.
2nd February 1972.
Dear Mr Macleod,
I shall be grateful if you can find room in your magazine for this short note. I would like to thank the members of the Free Presbyterian Church for their generous contributions for “Aid for the Distressed in Ulster”. Donations were received not only from Scotland but from Free Presbyterians in England and Canada as well. The total amount received up to the moment is almost £293. This has enabled us to help one family whose home was completely destroyed and several other families whose homes were damaged. This help has been much appreciated.
There is not much sign as yet of an end to the unrest. The I.R.A. terrorists continue their cowardly campaign of violence and bloodshed. In addition to the terrorists themselves, Northern Ireland has many enemies both inside and outside its borders. There is a great propaganda war going on all the time. Unfortunately the mass media seem to be weighted against the loyalist majority. However, we believe the Lord is on the throne, and our eyes are upon Him.
The Protestants of Ulster have exercised wonderful restraint in the face of great provocation. We covet your continued prayers that we may be given the wisdom and grace we need to uphold the truth as it is in Jesus and yet manifest a Christ-like spirit to the Roman Catholics.
Yours sincerely,
(Rev.) Wm. Young.
Tribute to Missionary
The Kirk Session of Dingwall and Beauly joint congregation met at Dingwall on 17th January, 1972 paid the following tribute to the late Mr Alexander MacLennan, Tomich, Muir of Ord.
The late Mr Alexander MacLennan, who was an elder of the Dingwall and Beauly joint-congregation over a period of many years, and also, a Missionary in the same portion of the Lord’s vineyard, passed to his everlasting rest on the first day of this year, 1972. He was most evidently in failing health for a considerable time, both before the Beauly communion of July, 1971, and specially from then onwards till the time of the Gairloch communion. On his return from Gairloch he was obviously deteriorating in vigour, and although he appeared, on occasions, to be recuperating, yet the condition was not really so. He was becoming weaker, and eventually the end came on New Year’s Day. He got every attention and all that medical skill could do was done for him. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the Mitchell Hill cemetery, Dingwall.
His funeral was largely attended by those who had deep regard for him. Such knew well that, by the holy sovereign grace of God, the late Missionary did, like Jehoiada in Jerusalem, good in Israel both toward God, and toward his house.
He was born in the island of Rona, north of Raasay, on the 9th day of September, 1889, and so was over eighty-two years of age. His father and mother were God-fearing persons—his father being an elder as well as Missionary of the Raasay and Rona congregation. He and all the family got an exemplary upbringing. He in the course of his life saw much of the world. He knew much of New Zealand, and was also in Australia, and referred once and again to the Solomon Islands. He used his knowledge of the sea and of ships for purposes of illustration of his addresses. As he himself, we understand, left details of his spiritual experiences, it is needless here to refer to them.
He eventually settled at Tomich, Muir of Ord, and became a member, and after a period, an elder, and also was appointed Missionary for the Dingwall and Beauly joint-congregation. He was very acceptable as a Missionary, and was most sincere and zealous in seeking, by divine grace, the Kingdom of the Saviour within himself, and around him. He took pleasure in attending communion seasons, and became very well-known, and was highly regarded, as a speaker at Fellowship meetings. We would like to mention how, while it was possible for him, he used, on Sabbath-evenings, after the usual services of the day were over, to go to the tents of those who had a temporary abode on, or near, his land. He spoke once and again of how he got little ones to gather around, and conduct worship with them all. He did what he could in this laudable way.
If there is one portion of the Word which sums up his foundation for eternity in a special way, we would venture to say that it is the portion of the 1st Epistle of John 5, v. 11. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” His heart was, by divine grace, at anchor in the record, and by the gracious unction bestowed on him, he had eternal life in the Son. We extend our sympathy to his widow, who mourns the loss of her partner, and to his brother, who, in the kindness of the Lord, is still spared to conduct services in our midst as far as he is able.
D.A. Macfarlane, Moderator.
D.S. Kelly, Clerk.