Committee Meetings (D.V.)
The following Committees are due to meet at the Free Presbyterian Church, Inverness on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of March.
Tuesday, 27th March
- 10.00 – 11.30 Publications Committee
- 11.30 – 13.00 Religion and Morals Committee
- 14.30 – 16.30 Finance Committee
- 16.30 – 17.30 Dominions and Overseas Committee
- 19.00 – 21.00 Jewish and Foreign Missions Committee
- 21.00 – 22.00 Home of Rest Committee
Wednesday, 28th March
- 10.00 – 11.30 Church Extension Committee
- 11.30 – 12.30 Church Magazine Committee
Concerted Prayer
In the proposals for concerted prayer agreed to at the Synod last May the first Sabbath of January, April, July and October were specially mentioned as days for prayer for the revival of the Lord’s Cause. It was also agreed that in the issues of the Magazine for the months previous to those mentioned above that space be given to provide our people with information on matters to be remembered in Prayer.
As this issue contains articles on Italy and Rhodesia we think that the minds of exercised Christians will be directed to the spiritual needs of those lands. Italy, long under papal dominion, deserves our prayerful consideration. Our own Mission in Rhodesia should be constantly upon our spirits at a throne of grace. This, however, should not hinder us making it a special matter of prayer in connection with the revival of the Lord’s Cause.
If we need any further direction, then let the teeming Christless millions of China, Russia, India and Africa be the burden of our concern. They need the Gospel or they will perish in their sins. We must not sit snugly secure in our Gospel privileges without any concern for the regions beyond. Doors of opportunity in some of those lands are closing as we delay to send them succour. If we are not prepared to answer the call: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” with the answer: “Here am I; send me”; then at least let us pray the Lord of the harvest that He may send forth labourers into His harvest.
Rev. John Tallach’s Accident
On 23rd January Rev. John Tallach’s car was in collision with a van near Kirkhill, Inverness-shire. Mr Tallach sustained a broken arm and leg, while his wife injured her hand. The driver of the van was badly injured as well. We do hope and trust that they will all soon be restored to health and strength in the Lord’s good providence. It is a matter of thankfulness to the Lord that the lives of all those involved in the accident were spared.
Church Deeds of Covenant
The Finance Act 1972 sets out the new Unified Tax System which comes into effect on 6th April, 1973. The new system is intended to simplify the structure of personal taxation and, among other things, the previous “earned income relief” available to taxpayers, is abolished.
Accordingly Deeds of Covenant in favour of the Church now have a much wider appeal in that any person who subscribes to the Church Funds out of the income on which he pays tax, may, by signing a Deed of Covenant, and without any additional expense to himself, enable the Church to recover from the Inland Revenue, a sum equal to the tax paid on his contribution.
At this point it should be emphasised that a person’s contribution to the Church Funds means the total sum he puts in the regular Church door collections as well as his normal contributions to the Special Funds, i.e. Sustentation Fund, Home Mission Fund, etc.
The basic rate of tax for 1973/74 has been provisionally fixed at 30% and let us assume a Subscriber to the Church Funds who pays tax on at least £10 of his income and subscribes £7 to the Church Funds per annum. If he does not sign a Deed of Covenant the Church receives only his £7 contribution. If he signs a Deed of Covenant the Church receives not only his £7 but also the tax paid on the income out of which the contribution was made, i.e. £3, giving a total of £10 to the Church Funds.
It is to be emphasised that this is a provision made by the law of the land for the benefit of Churches, among others, and it is perfectly lawful for those who are in a position to do so, to make use of this provision to increase the value of their subscription to the Church. In making this provision, Parliament is carrying into effect, so far as the Church is concerned, the duty, which we believe the State has in accordance with the Establishment principle, to help support the Church.
Parties who have already signed Deeds of Covenant require to do nothing further in the meantime but any such who have increased their contributions since signing the Covenant would be advised to sign an additional Covenant for the amount of any such increase.
Induction at Stirling
At its meeting in Glasgow on 14th February, 1973, the Southern Presbytery agreed to meet again, D.V., within the Tolbooth, Broad Street, Stirling, on Tuesday, the 6th day of March, 1973, at 6 p.m.; and at 7 p.m. for the Ordination and Induction of the Rev. Ian R. Tallach to the Church Extension charge of Stirling, Perth and Dundee. The Moderator of Presbytery, Rev. H. R. Moshe Radcliff, Th.L., is to preach and preside.
M. MacSween, Clerk of Presbytery.
Aberdeen Minister Laid Aside
On 20th February Rev. E. A. Rayner underwent a serious operation. We understand that he is now progressing favourably but expects to be several weeks off work convalescing. We trust that in the Lord’s good providence he will continue to make progress and before long be able to resume his duties again.