Southern Presbytery
Induction of the Rev. W. MacLean, M.A., Gisborne, to the Pastoral Charge of the Brushgrove – Grafton Congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, New South Wales, Australia.
The Southern Presbytery met in St Jude’s Church, Glasgow on Wednesday, the 14th day of February, 1973, in order to carry out the above service.
Ordained as minister of Ness Congregation, Lewis, on August 18th, 1948, Mr MacLean received a Call from Gisborne, New Zealand, in 1962 and was inducted as Pastor of that Congregation in St Jude’s Church, Glasgow, on the 7th day of November of that year, the late Rev. James MacLeod, Greenock, preaching the Induction Sermon from Jeremiah, 3:15. Mr MacLean was Interim-Moderator of Auckland Congregation, N.Z., and of Brushgrove – Grafton Congregation, N.S.W., Australia, devoting a good portion of his time to his duties in these places as well as labouring diligently and acceptably in Gisborne. At the time of his being given the Call to Gisborne he was approached by Brushgrove-Grafton also, but elected to go to the former place. Then towards the end of 1972 when on a visit there Mr MacLean was again approached by Brushgrove-Grafton Congregation. The Call was unanimous and sustained and Mr MacLean accepted it. When he was Inducted in Glasgow as minister of Brushgrove-Grafton that meant the end of a period of 63 years without a pastor for that Congregation. When the Presbytery met on February 14th for the Induction, the Rev. H. R. M. Radcliff, Th.L., Moderator, after the usual preliminaries, conducted public worship, preaching a most appropriate sermon on Micah, 5:4. Public worship being ended, the Clerk read out a Narrative of the steps leading up to this Induction. He then read out the Questions usually put to a minister on such an occasion. The Rev. William MacLean returned satisfactory answers to all the Questions, one by one. The Clerk then read out the Formula, and on being asked by the Moderator if he was prepared to sign the Formula, Mr MacLean stated that he was, and thereupon signed the Formula in the presence of the Congregation. The Moderator then engaged in solemn prayer, and, prayer being ended, he did then Induct and Admit the Rev. William MacLean in the following words — “I do now by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, the alone King and Head of His Church, and in the name of the Southern Presbytery, Induct and Admit you, Mr William MacLean, to the pastoral charge of Brushgrove – Grafton Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Congregation, N.S.W., Australia.” The Moderator then gave the newly-inducted minister the right hand of fellowship and the other members of Presbytery and associated member, Rev. D. M. Campbell, did likewise. The Moderator then placed the Call in Mr MacLean’s hands and read out two expressions of goodwill to him from Gisborne and Auckland Congregations. The Rev. William MacLean was then addressed in suitable terms by the Rev. J. A. MacDonald, Fort William, and Rev. D. MacLean, Glasgow, delivered an appropriate discourse to the Congregation. The Service was concluded with the singing of Psalm 122 from verse 6 and the benediction. Rev. William MacLean shook hands with the Congregation at the door. Rev. W. MacLean’s name was already on the Southern Presbytery Roll of ministers where it now appears as that of the minister of the Brushgrove-Grafton Congregation. Our prayer is that the newly-inducted pastor be blessed of the Lord in the Gospel of His Grace along with the office-bearers, members and adherents of this Congregation. The Presbytery also record their deep appreciation of the labours of all who held the services there and of all who helped in other ways during the long vacancy.
“Pray that Jerusalem may have
peace and felicity:
Let them that love thee and thy peace
have still prosperity.”
Metrical Psalm 122, v. 6.
London Communion
The services will be as follows (D.V.) — Thursday, 19th April, 7 p.m.; Friday, 20th April, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 21st April, 3 p.m.; Sabbath 22nd April, 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.; Monday 23rd April, 7 p.m.
These services will be held in St Michaels Hall, Eccleston Place, S.W.1. (opposite Victoria Coach Station).
Rev L. Macleod, Greenock, and Rev. D. B. Macleod, Lairg, are expected for the Communion (D.V.).
Matron MacInnes
The friends of the Ballifary Home of Rest at Inverness were saddened to learn of Miss MacInnes’ sudden death which took place in her flat at Inverness last December. She had been in the town on the morning of the day on which she passed away, evidently in good health, but collapsed on her return home and expired almost immediately. Miss MacInnes will always be held in grateful remembrance for the years of faithful service which she gave as Matron of our Inverness Home of Rest, and the high place the Home enjoys today in the confidence of the County Welfare officials and among our church people is due in large measure to her wise and far-sighted management.
Miss MacInnes took a deep interest in the Home from its very inception and offered her services at an early date which unfortunately could not be accepted at the time. She was the ideal choice for the position of Matron. A native of Holmisdale, Glendale, Skye, Miss Morag MacInnes was the only daughter of Mr and Mrs Donald MacInnes, and was born in 1903. She received her training in nursing at Craig Lockhart Hospital, Edinburgh, and thereafter held successive positions at Aultbea and Lewis and finally became assistant Matron in the East Lothian Mental Hospital. She retired to Skye and after a short time in the Gesto Hospital, Edinbane, was appointed Matron to our Old People’s Home, Inverness in July 1967. During the 5 years’ service till her retirement in September 1972, she saw the Home prosper and a new wing added to provide additional places for those who were anxiously waiting to enter the Home. Her relations with the Committee were invariably cordial and harmonious, as was true also of her kindly and understanding treatment of the people in her care. She was dignified in bearing, cheerful in disposition and self-reliant, and was possessed of wide experience in the management of the aged and the mentally ill. After her retirement on the appointment of her successor, Miss MacLeod, she continued to take an interest in the Home and was always on hand ready to give assistance and advice when needed. After a short service in the Home on Saturday, 16th December which was widely attended by her many friends in the vicinity of Inverness, her remains were conveyed on the Monday to Skye and laid to rest in the Glendale graveyard among her people.
Miss MacInnes was at heart a true Free Presbyterian and as far as she could achieve that purpose always during her life maintained a close connection with the Church and went to great trouble to get to her services, and in particular she enjoyed the ministry of Rev. Neil MacIntyre during the period of her training in Edinburgh. Knowledge of the Bible and love of our Church and her ministry, however, are not enough to give peace when the arrow of conviction enters the heart. Miss MacInnes was for years an anxious enquirer after Christ, and came before the Session to be received into communion with the Church while at Inverness. The work had been gradual and unaccompanied by severe conviction of sin, but her walk and conversation testified to the solid work of grace which had taken place within. She often spoke of the members of her family as being subject to heart trouble and several of her brothers and relatives had predeceased her, being removed from time to eternity suddenly and without warning; and she had some premonition that such would be the nature of her own end as well. We believe that she has joined the company of the redeemed on high and has entered into rest, to await the coming of Christ at the end of the world when He will receive His people to Himself that where He is, there they may be also.
A.F.M.
Brief Statement on ‘The Family’
It is proper at all times to stress the Bible emphasis on Family Life, but in a time like our own when so much is being done to disrupt Family Life the need for a statement on the subject is apparent.
Professing Christians and others would do well to concern themselves with what the Word of God has to say on this important matter. Particular attention should be paid to the following teachings of God’s Word.
- The Bible allows for Divorce on TWO grounds only, namely, for adultery and for such wilful desertion as can in no way be remedied by the Church or civil magistrate. Matthew 19:9 reads: “And I say unto you. Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” 1 Corinthians 7:15 reads: “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases;” — and, as if to say, although I am allowing this remember — “but God hath called us to peace.”
- On the subject of the bearing of children the Word of God says, 1 Timothy 2:15, “. . . she shall be saved in childbearing.” Surely it is evident how contrary this is to the spirit of the age when abortions have become commonplace and family limitation widely advocated.
- Family religion is set before us in the Bible as that which unites families. Where the blessing of God follows the worship of God in the home and members of the same household come to know the Lord savingly, then the members are bound by nature and by grace — a cord which is not easily broken. Acts 16:33 states: “And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and was baptized, he and all his, straightaway.”
- If a family is to hold together there must be the order of the Word of God in the home. The husband is the head of the house and must rule. Titus 2:4ff directs: “… teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” The family must be in obedience to their parents according to the fifth commandment. “Honour thy father and thy mother . . .” These duties are to be performed in the spirit of love.
- It is the absence of adherence to the Word of God that has led to so many broken families, and it is only by a return to this standard that we can ever expect family life to flourish once more in our land.
(Rev.) A. E. W. MacDonald, for Religion and Morals Committee
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
- Outer Isles: At Stornoway on Tuesday, 10th April at 3.30 p.m.
- Northern: At Dingwall on Tuesday, 17th April at 2.30 p.m.
- Western: At Kyle of Lochalsh on Tuesday, 17th April at 11.30 a.m.
- Southern: At Glasgow on Tuesday, 24th April at 6 p.m.
Letter from Rev. Iain Murray
The Editor received a letter from the Rev. Iain Murray of the Banner of Truth explaining that he regards the A.V. as our finest translation of the Bible.
Acknowledgment of Donations
The General Treasurer, Mr Wm. D. Fraser, F.C.M.A., 20 Daleview Avenue Glasgow G12 0HE acknowledges the following donations with sincere thanks —
Sustentation Fund — In memory of late Mrs R. S. MacKenzie, Grosse Ile, £14; Mrs Anne Benaller, Seattle, USA, £9.50 (per RWMM).
Home Mission Fund — In memory of the late Mrs R. S. MacKenzie, Grosse Ile, £14.
Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund — Anon. £10; In memory of late Mrs R. S. MacKenzie, Grosse Ile, £14; From the estate of the late Miss Mary Ann MacPhail, Helmsdale, £269.78 for “the African Mission in remembrance of the late Rev. James Fraser, missionary there”, per Middleton, Ross and Arnott, Solicitors, Dingwall; Mrs P. Vanderval, Canada, £1.80 (per RWMM).
Home of Rest Fund — “Anon”, Staffin, per Rev. J. MacDonald, £100.
On behalf of the Trinitarian Bible Society — Anon. £1 (in St Jude’s plate).
College and Library Fund — R. MacLean, Dundee, 38p (per RWMM).
The Publications Treasurer, Mr R. W. M. MacKenzie, C.A., Hilton of Cadboll, Fearn, acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations —
Free Distribution Magazine Fund — A. Bethune, Aberdeen, £1.63; D. MacLennan, Finsbay, 30p; J. Toes, Rotterdam, £1.80; J. Friesema, Rock Valley, USA, £1.80; Mrs M. Munro, Ardcharnich, 80p; M. Livingstone, Lochcarron, £1; Mrs B. Bishop, Alberta, Canada, £1.80; Mrs L. Cotton, Ontario, Canada, £1.50; Rev. J. Van Zweden, Rock Valley, U.S.A., £1.80; E. MacDonald, Glasgow, 90p; Mrs D. Cameron, Glenochil, 30p; Anon. 74p; J. MacKinnon, Point, £1.20; J. H. L. Gilmour, Exeter, 50p; Miss C. MacKay, Stornoway, 50p; “In memory of my dear mother” Delhi, Ontario, Canada Post Mark; A Friend, £3.80; Mrs W. Thompson, Alberta £1.80; J. MacLean, Leverburgh, 50p; C. W. Rose, Clifton N.J., 30p; C. MacFarlane, Edinbane, 30p; E. MacKay, Kyle, 80p; D. Morrison, Northton, 30p; Anon., G.R. Michigan £5.80; D. MacNicol, Gairlochy, £1; A. M. Shaw, Queenbeyan, NSW, 50p.
Publications Fund — Anon., G.R., Michigan, £6; Friend, Inverness, £1.80.
Welfare of Youth Fund — Anon., G.R., Michigan, £6.
Home of Rest Fund — Mrs MacAulay, Inverness, £50; Mrs Graham, Uig, Skye, £2; Legacy from the estate of the late Miss MacDonald, Kirkhill, per Anderson, Shaw & Gilbert, £50.
Free Distribution Magazine Fund — Mrs A. MacKenzie, Rosehall, 30p; Mrs C. MacKenzie, Ullapool, 80p; W. Taylor, Thurso, 80p; Mrs D. Lawrence, Inverness, 80p; J. Stewart, Fortrose, 50p; Mrs K. Morrison, Quidinish, 80p; F. MacLean, Ardross, 50p; A. MacRae, Laide, 80p; A. MacPherson, Inverness, £1.20; N. MacKay, Port of Ness, £2.80; Mrs C. A. MacLean, Dunvegan, 35p; A. C. Robertson, Brampton, 70p; J. Pearson, Nately, 35p; K. MacLeod, Kyle, 65p; B.P., London, £10; Mrs L. M. Williams, Edinburgh, 50p; N. MacMillan, Leverburgh, 80p; A. MacKenzie, Drumbeg, 50p; I. MacPherson, Breakish, 50p; A. MacLean, Port of Ness, 50p; M. D. MacKay, Radsay, 30p; J. N. Morison, Finsbay, 80p; Miss C. Thomson, Port of Ness, 60p; Mrs M. Anderson, Killin, 50p; D. MacKenzie, Winnipeg, 50p; Mrs F. Graham, Uig, Skye, 35p; Mrs R. Martin, Marig, £1.50; Mrs I. MacDonald, Shieldaig, 30p; Friend, New Jersey U.S.A., £1.75; K. MacLennan, Michigan, £13.80; A. Ross, Balintore, £2.80; J. Gow, Glasgow, 40p; Anon., Kyleakin, £5; M. MacLeod, Aberfeldy, 80p; D. J. MacLean, Beauly, 80p; Miss M. Matheson, North Strome, 40p; M. MacDonald, Leverburgh, £1.80; Anon., Diabaig, 50p; Mrs A. MacGregor, Glasgow, 30p; E. Morrison, Kinlochbervie, 80p; Mrs J. Muirhead, Edinburgh, £2; J. W. MacKenzie, Leverburgh, 80p; Miss H. A. Matthew, Kilwinning, 95p; Mrs I. Nicholson, Glendale, 30p; T. Verblaauw, New Jersey, U.S.A., 50p; T. MacLeod, Laxdale, 50p; R. MacCuish, Leacklee, £1.20; D. MacKenzie, Corrany, Glenelg, £2 (per W.D.F.); Mrs Rhoda MacLean, Ullapool, £1; D. G. Campbell, Applecross, 50p; D. J. MacKay, Vancouver, £1.50; Miss M. MacKenzie, London, 80p; I. MacLeod, Lochinver, 80p; Miss K. MacKenzie, Dingwall, 50p; J. F. Morrison, Tarbert, 80p; S. Clark, Invergordon, 45p; Mrs M. MacLeod, Stornoway, 65p; Miss A. MacKenzie, Stornoway, 50p; Mrs B. Gillies, Stornoway, £1.50; Mrs J. R. MacLeod, Scourie, 30p; D. Mackenzie, Laide, £1; Miss M. C. MacDonald, Stornoway, £2.50; C. MacAskill, Inverness, 60p; Miss F. A. Nicolson, Braes, 50p; Miss P. M. MacDonald, Glasgow, 35p; A. N. MacRae, Dundee, £2.50; Mr & Mrs J. Satterthwaite, Vancouver, £2.80; Mrs E. Kirkham, Horsforth, 50p; Mrs A. MacGregor, Dunblane, 50p; J. MacLean, Edinbane, 80p; Mrs G. Anderson, Carnoustie, 30p; Mrs C. MacKenzie, Ullapool, 20p; D. MacLeod, Lochbroom, £1; J. Chalk, Sussex, 15p; A. H. MacLean, Culkein, 80p; A. Morison, Stornoway, 80p; Mrs R. A. McIntyre, Ontario, Canada, £3.86; Mrs J. Livingstone, Lochcarron, 65p; Mrs L. Campbell, Kilmorack, £1; W. MacKenzie, Inverness, 80p; C. J. Buys, Holland, 50p; R. Morison, Finsbay, 80p; Miss K. MacLeod, Inverness, 80p; B. Walshaw, Brighouse, £3; W. Cormack, Inverness, Mrs J. Campbell, Struan, £1.20.
The treasurers of the following congregations acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations —
Glendale — Wellwisher, £2 for Sustentation Fund; Wellwisher, £3, Door Collection; Bequest of £100 from legacy of the late Miss Morag MacInnes for Glendale Church Funds.
Oban — Miss M. Dewar, Lochgilphead, £5 for Oban Sustentation Fund per Rev. M. MacSween.
Auckland — L. Gillanders, Stratford, $200; M. & D. McGrail, Wanganui, $20; Mrs MacKenzie, Wellington, $100; Mrs Batcheldor, Rotorua, $14; Miss M. MacKenzie, $35; A Friend, Stornoway, £2; M. & D. McGrail, Wanganui, $50; Anon., $318; A Friend, Stornoway, $78.
Strath, Skye — Friend. Staffin, £2 for Sustentation Fund per D. MacKay; A Friend, £5 for Congregational Fund per L. MacKinnon; A Friend, £3 for Luib Car Fund.
Raasay — Envelope in plate, £1; Friend. Raasay, £1, both for Sustentation Fund; Raasay Friend, £15 for Sustentation Fund; Raasay Friend, £10 for Church Renovation.
Stratherrick — Legacy from the estate of the late Mrs Barbara Law “Charleston”. Inverness Road. Nairn in memory of the MacKintosh Family of Charleston, Errogie Hill, Stratherrick. £200 for the general purposes of the church; per Treasurer.
Tain and Fearn — ‘A lover of the Cause’, Glasgow, £5, per Rev. J.N.; Anon., £20 per W. Mc; Anon., £10 per K.R. all for Manse Fund.
Ingwenya — Inverness Ladies’ Mission Group. per Miss I. Steedman, £106 (Rh. $236.54); Winnipeg Sabbath School. to help towards a pupil’s fees, per Miss I. Steedman. U.S. $49.75 (Rh. $31.92); Mrs H. Kitchen, Cdn. $600 (Rh. $356.79).
Staffin — “In memory of Loved Ones”, Grantown-on-Spey. £10 for Sustentation Fund; ‘Friend’. Broadford, £5 for Congregational Purposes, both per Rev. J.M.D.
Lochcarron — In Loving Memory. Lochcarron, £5; Loan changed to gift, £200 both per Rev. J.W.R.; Donations in Envelopes, £10; Friend. Kishorn, £5 per Rev. J.W.R., all for Manse Extension etc.; Friend, £10, for Lochcarron Appeal.
Dumbarton — “Helper”, £50 per A. E. Alexander; Friend. Inverness, £5 per A. E. Alexander; Mr and Mrs James Henderson, £5; Anon., Glasgow, £5; Friend. Kyle, £2, last three per T. MacRae; Envelope in plate, £10; M. MacCuish, Ardlui, £2 per R. W. M. MacKenzie, all for Dumbarton Manse Purchase Fund.
Dingwall — Anon., £20 for Dingwall Communion Expenses.
St Judes, Glasgow — Anon., £5.50; Norman MacLay, £1.80 both for Sustentation Fund; Norman MacLay, 60p for Home Mission; Two Skye Friends, £8 for Sustentation per Rev. D. MacLean; Anon., 50p for Sustentation Fund; Anon., £1 for Bus Fund.
Portree — Mrs D. N., £5 for Congregational purposes; M.G., £2 for Church Bus; Envelope, £2; Envelope, £5, for Communion Expenses; Envelope, £5 to help a little towards Communion Expenses.
Rhodesian Mission — October 1972, £94; February 1973, £88.
Kyle — Envelope in plate, £2 for Local Building; A Friend of the Cause (Shieldaig), £10; A Friend (Edinburgh) £5 both for Church Funds.
Legacy Reserve Fund: Towards Cost of Church’s Settlement in Hasson Case — Rev. A. F. MacKay — £700.