North Tolsta Induction
On Wednesday, 23rd August 1972, the Outer Isles Presbytery met at 2 p.m. in the Church at North Tolsta for the purpose of ordaining the Rev. Duncan Maclean, Probationer, to the Ministry of the Gospel, and inducting him to the Pastoral Charge of the North Tolsta Congregation. Three ministerial brethren, who were present in the large congregation which was drawn from all parts of the Island, and also from further afield, were associated with the Presbytery for the occasion. They were Rev. J. Macdonald, Staffin, Rev. J.W. Ross, Lochcarron, and Rev. D.M. Campbell.
The Moderator of Presbytery, Rev. D.J. Macaskill, M.A., Uig, constituted the Presbytery with prayer, and then Rev. J. Macleod, M.A., Stornoway, conducted Divine worship, preaching an appropriate sermon from the words in Acts, chapter 10, verse 33, “Now, therefore, are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” At the close of public worship, the Clerk of Presbytery read a brief narrative of the steps which had been taken to fill the vacancy in the congregation. The Moderator of Presbytery then asked the Pastor-elect to stand, after which he addressed to him the questions usually put to Probationers at their Ordination, which Mr Maclean satisfactorily answered, and the Formula having then been read to him, Mr Maclean signed the same in the presence of the congregation. Thereafter Rev. Duncan Maclean, Probationer, was ordained to the office of the holy ministry, with solemn prayer by the Moderator, and the laying on of hands of the ministerial brethren in the Presbytery.
The newly ordained minister was then formally inducted to the pastoral charge of the North Tolsta Congregation, and suitably addressed by the Clerk, from the words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy in his second Epistle, chapter 4, verse 2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” The congregation were then suitably addressed by Rev. A. Mackay, Tarbert, from the words of Paul to the Thessalonian believers in his first Epistle to them, chapter 5, verse 5, “Brethren, pray for us.”
Before the solemn service was brought to a close by the singing of the last three verses of Psalm 122, the Clerk read two letters, expressing good wishes to the newly ordained pastor, from Rev. A. F. Mackay, M.A., Inverness, and Rev. D.J. Macdonald, M.A., Port-nalong, respectively. After the Benediction, the congregation had an opportunity of shaking hands with the newly inducted pastor. It is the prayerful desire of the Presbytery that the pastor and people of North Tolsta Congregation will be abundantly blessed o God, with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
A.M. Cattanach, Clerk of Presbytery.
Induction at Aberdeen
On the evening of Friday, 6th October before a large congregation of our people who travelled to the Aberdeen Church from such parts of the Church as Lochinver, Wick, Dingwall and Inverness, with a few friends from the south, Rev. E.A. Rayner was settled as their first minister over the Aberdeen congregation. The Moderator of the Northern Presbytery, Rev. R.R. Sinclair, preached from the words of Mark 10: 43-45: “But so shall it not be among you; but whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister; and whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.” The greater part of the sermon dwelt upon the qualifications which raise the true servant of Christ into prominence in the Lord’s work, such as pre-eminence in spiritual character and attainments; faithfulness and success in the duties of the pastoral office; devotion and humility in the Church’s service whose servant he is: and in conclusion brief reference was made to the great example of the Son of Man.
The minute calling the meeting was read by the clerk, the Presbytery’s Edict returned, the proclamation made at the church door, and after public worship the narrative of steps taken in preparing the Call was given. The pastor elect then answered the stated questions satisfactorily, signed the Formula, and then knelt to be solemnly ordained to the office of the ministry by the ordination prayer, accompanied by the imposition of hands. Thereafter, Mr Rayner was inducted to the pastoral charge of the Aberdeen congregation in the name of the Presbytery and by the authority of the Divine Head of the Church, and received the right hand of fellowship. Rev. J. Tallach addressed suitable remarks on his work in the ministry to the minister and Rev. J. Nicolson likewise addressed the people, followed by a few words of good wishes by the clerk, Rev. A.F. MacKay and Rev. Wm. Grant, now in retirement in Dingwall. Members of other Presbyteries were present and of these were called to speak Rev. J.W. Ross, Lochcarron; Mr J.P. H. MacKay, Edinburgh; from Dundee Dr Cameron Tallach who did so much in past years for the congregation when living in Aberdeen. Revs. D.M. Campbell, F. Tallach and Ian Tallach were also associated with the Presbytery. The Moderator of the congregation during the vacancy, Rev. D.B. MacLeod thanked the people throughout the Church for their generous help with the debt on Church and Manse buildings, and again thanked the Aberdeen congregation for presenting him with a wristlet watch in recognition of his services as Moderator. The meeting was then concluded with the benediction and the newly inducted minister met the people at the door as they left and returned to take his seat on the Presbytery which continued to deal with further business.
The harmonious settlement of Rev. E.A. Rayner so soon over the Aberdeen congregation is a source of great encouragement to our people there. Formed into a sanctioned charge a few years ago, Aberdeen is of very recent growth, and we pray that the Lord will greatly own the labours of his servant and grant him many seals to his ministry.
A.F.M.
Ordination and Induction at Plockton/Kyle
On 12th September the Western Presbytery met in the Free Presbyterian Church, Plockton to ordain to the ministry and induct to the pastoral charge of the Plockton/Kyle congregation the Rev. Douglas B. Beattie, Probationer.
From the Presbytery there were present seven Ministers and nine Ruling Elders and, in addition, there were associated with the Court at this meeting the Rev. D.A. Macfarlane, A.F. Mackay and D.B. Macleod from the Northern Presbytery, and Rev. J.A. Macdonald from the Southern Presbytery. The Church was filled with members of the congregation and friends from different parts so as not to leave one vacant space.
After the part-minute, calling the meeting, was approved and the Edict returned, duly certified, the Officer of Court, Dr James Tallach, went to the church door and made proclamation relative to the Presbytery’s intention. No objection was made.
The presiding Moderator of Presbytery, the Rev. S. Fraser Tallach, Strath, then went to the pulpit and preached an illuminating discourse from the words of I Timothy 3: 15, 16. Thereafter the Clerk gave a brief narrative of proceedings in the Call, Mr Beattie gave satisfactory answer to the Questions required to be put to Ministers at such a time and signed the prescribed Formula in presence of the congregation. The Pastor-elect then kneeled, and the Moderator with solemn prayer and the laying on of the hands of the Ministers present ordained Mr Douglas B. Beattie as Minister to the pastoral charge of the Plockton/Kyle Congregation, and the brethren gave to him the right hand of fellowship.
Rev. M. MacInnes then addressed Mr Beattie as to the responsibilities of his new position and the Rev. A. Murray likewise reminded the congregation of its duty in respect of the privilege of having a minister settled over it. Good wishes to both minister and people were expressed by Revs. D.A. Macfarlane and A.F. Mackay and Mr D.M. Campbell. The solemn proceedings ended with singing and the Benediction and Mr Beattie shook hands with his new flock at the church door.
The occasion marks a truly historic step in South West Ross for the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. As that had been alluded to during the course of the evening, a number of worthy Lay Missionaries had ministered to the needs of the people in these parts from the date of the Church’s inception. Now for the first time an ordained minister was settled over the congregation. It seems truly fitting that the first minister of the congregation should himself be entering upon his first charge, and especially so as here we witness the consummation of the efforts of the people to secure sanctioned-charge status, a movement which had itself been stimulated by the coming into their midst of Mr Beattie. It remains to wish pastor and people much of the Lord’s favour in the days to come, and our prayer is that the settlement of a minister in a not unpromising field may prove a success alike in the matter of God’s glory and, more particularly, in the ingathering of many sinners to Jesus, the Saviour.
Alex. Murray, Clerk of Presbytery.
Synod Decision re: Rev. Donald Campbell
The Synod approved the decision of the Foreign Mission Committee to invite Rev. Donald Campbell, Zenka, to submit his resignation.
Synod Decision re: Mr James Tallach
The Synod records its sincere thanks to Mr James Tallach for his work on the Mission on his homecoming at the end of his contract. The Committee were of the view that in the latter stages of Mr Tallach’s service in Rhodesia he was concerned with so many tasks that it was not possible for him to give them all sufficient attention, and the Synod, recognising this, consider that, in judging his work, this matter has to be kept in view.
Student Licensed
The Southern Presbytery met in Glasgow on Tuesday, 19th September 1972. Mr J.A.T. Van Dorp, Divinity Student, was taken on Trials for Licence. His trials being sustained, he was licensed to preach the Gospel.
Malcolm MacSween, Clerk.
Church Extension
The Synod agreed in principle at its meeting in May 1972 that steps be taken to appoint a minister whose responsibility would be the oversight of Church Extension work at Stirling and Dundee.
The Church Extension Committee acting on this resolution would be glad to know if there is any minister of the Church who has the mind to engage in this work as the prospects of both these places appear promising.
In the event of a suitable applicant coming forward the Committee would make arrangements for accommodation and salary, etc., in conjunction with the Southern Presbytery. Applications should be addressed to the Clerk of the Committee: (Rev.) D.A. Maclean, Free Presbyterian Manse, Halkirk, Caithness.
Church Deputy to Italy
Rev. John Tallach, Kinlochbervie, expects to leave for Italy early in November, accompanied by his wife. He requests the prayers of readers, that the Lord would help him in regard to his seven week visit, and that the Word of God would have an entrance into souls in that needy land. We are sure that readers will bear this request in mind and will remember them at a Throne of Grace. We trust that the Lord will put His protecting care over them and open doors of opportunity in Italy.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Northern—At Dingwall on Tuesday, 7th November, at 4.30 p.m.
Southern—At Glasgow on Tuesday, 14th November, at 6 p.m.
Outer Isles—At Stornoway on Tuesday, 14th November, at 3.30 p.m.
Dumbarton Manse Purchase Fund
Following upon the recent decision of the Synod to raise the Dumbarton congregation to the status of a sanctioned charge, an effort is now being made to obtain a suitable house for a Manse. The congregation are presently doing all they can to build up their Manse Purchase Fund, and will continue to do so with regular contributions. Due, however, to the present high cost of buildings, and the comparative size of the congregation, the Deacons Court are now appealing to the friends of Dumbarton Congregation, and to the church at large, to assist them in further establishing the Cause of Christ in that town. Donations, in connection with the appeal, should be sent to Mr A.E. Alexander, “Hampshire”, 281 Glasgow Road, Dumbarton, G82 1FE, by whom they will be gratefully received and acknowledged.
(Rev.) Donald Maclean, Interim Moderator.
The Southern Presbytery unanimously approve of, and endorse this appeal.
Malcolm MacSween, Clerk of Presbytery.