Induction in London
On Tuesday, 23rd October, 1973, the Southern Presbytery met in St. Michael’s Hall, London SW1 at 7pm in order to induct Rev. M. MacInnes, formerly minister of Ullapool, to the pastoral charge of the Free Presbyterian Church congregation in London.
In the absence of the Moderator, Rev. D. Campbell, Edinburgh, Rev. L. MacLeod, Greenock was appointed Moderator pro tem. After the usual proclamation had been made at the door, and no objection made to Mr MacInnes’s life and doctrine, the Moderator pro tem conducted Public Worship, and preached an appropriate sermon on the words in Acts, 20:19: “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind.” Public Worship being ended, the Clerk pro tem read the Narrative of Proceedings. Mr MacInnes returned satisfactory answers to the questions appointed to be put to ministers on their induction to a pastoral charge. He then signed the Formula in the presence of the congregation. The Moderator pro tem, after engaging in prayer, did by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the name of the Presbytery, induct Mr MacInnes as minister to the pastoral charge of the London Congregation, and the brethren in the Presbytery gave him the right hand of fellowship.
Rev. I. R. Tallach then addressed Mr MacInnes in suitable terms on entering into his new charge, and the Rev. D. MacLean exhorted the congregation with respect to their duties. A letter was also read from Rev. D. Campbell expressing his regret at not being present, and conveying his good wishes to the newly inducted minister and congregation. This part of the meeting of the Presbytery, with the congregation, was concluded by the singing of Psalm 122 from the 6th verse and the Benediction. The congregation then had an opportunity of shaking hands at the door with their new minister.
There was about one hundred people present on this occasion, and the proceedings were conducted in a spirit of warmth with deep interest being shown by those present. It is the wish and prayer of the Presbytery that the ministry thus begun in this large city will be abundantly blessed by the Lord, so that Mr MacInnes may be an instrument in the hand of the Head of the Church of bringing many souls out of darkness into the marvellous light of the everlasting Gospel.
Rev. D. MacLean,
Clerk, pro tem.
Rev. M. MacSween,
Clerk.
Concerted Prayer
The proposals adopted by the Synod in May 1972 requested believers to set aside time on Saturday and Sabbath evenings for prayer and that at such times they be exercised regarding the following matters:
(1) The confession of sin.
(2) The acknowledgment of our helplessness to better any aspect of the circumstances of God’s cause.
(3) The imploring of divine mercy and grace —
(a) To effect a revival of the graces of the Spirit in the hearts of the godly.
(b) To visit the Christless in the power of His Spirit, blessing His word to the conviction and conversion of their souls.
In addition, it was proposed that the first Sabbath of January, April, July and October be given over in a special way to prayer for revival and that those conducting public worship on these days keep this in view.
So far as topics for concerted prayer are concerned we would again suggest prayer for the ingathering of God’s ancient people, the Jews; that the time might soon come when they will look to the Messiah whom they have pierced, and mourn for Him. Events in the Middle East in recent times thrust anew upon our attention Israel’s plight and Israel’s need. We cannot hope for true reconciliation between Jew and Arab until they meet together and find peace in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Another pressing topic for concerted prayer is the suffering part of the Church of God, persecuted under the oppressing heel of Communism and Romanism. Let us bear before the Lord upon our hearts at a Throne of grace these persecuted and tried followers of the Saviour, pleading that the Lord would, in His mercy, bring to an end their sufferings at the hands of cruel and wicked men, or, if that is not His will, to give them grace and strength to stand in the evil day that they might witness a good confession on the side of the Lord Jesus Christ, as many of them have been enabled to do already by His grace.
London Communion Services, December 1973
It is hoped, the Lord willing, that the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be administered in the London Congregation on the third Sabbath in December, 16th December.
The following services will be held in the places indicated.
Thursday 13th December at 7pm in the Norfolk Room, Caxton Hall; Friday 14th at 7pm in the Alliance Hall; Saturday 3.30pm and Prayer meeting 6.00pm in St Michael’s Hall; Sabbath 16th December at 11am and 6.30pm in St. Michael’s Hall (opposite Victoria Coach Station); Monday 17th at 7pm in the Alliance Hall.
Rev. J. A. MacDonald, Fort William, and Rev. J. W. Ross, Lochcarron, are expected to assist at these services. (DV).
FP and YP Magazine Prices
We regret that, owing to increased printing costs, the price of the FP Magazine will have to be raised to 10p a copy and the price of the YP Magazine to 7p a copy from 1st January 1974. Intimation of the new subscription rates will appear in the next issue of the Magazine (DV).
We trust that our readers will bear with this additional burden at a time of quickly rising prices, and that they will understand that the Magazine Committee had little alternative in the circumstances.
Synod Proceedings
It is expected that the Synod Proceedings will be ready for distribution to congregations before the end of the year.