The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church
It has become the habit of Church Histories to omit any reference to the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. This omission is not due to the fact that the writers or editors are ignorant of the existence of the Church but rather because it is in their interest to treat it as though it had no existence.
The Encyclopedia of Christianity, for instance, makes no reference to the Free Presbyterian Church in a separate way although the article on the Free Church contains a reference to the Free Presbyterian Church and its inception. When the present writer wrote Dr. Philip E. Hughes, the General Editor, he pointed this out and also referred to the fact that there was a separate article on the Free Church of England which is a very much smaller body than the Free Presbyterian Church. So far, he has not received the courtesy of a reply but then Dr. Hughes is an episcopalian!
The General Editor of this new International Dictionary is Dr. J. D. Douglas, a Scotsman, and he has included a piece on the Free Presbyterian Church. The entry which has been written by Dr. Henry R. Sefton, Lecturer of Church History, Aberdeen University, is as follows:
“Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. This originated in a group in the Free Church of Scotland which objected to the Declaratory Act of 1892. The Act stated that the Free Church disclaimed intolerant or persecuting principles, and did not consider her office-bearers, in signing the Westminster Confession of Faith, committed to any principles inconsistent with liberty of conscience and the right of private judgment. This Scottish secession is unique in that it turned primarily on a doctrinal issue, and not on relationships between church and state. The post-1900 Free Church repealed the Declaratory Act, but in such a way that the Free Presbyterians have felt constrained to continue a separate witness, although the two churches are similar in most other respects. Their numerical strength is officially estimated at 10,000 members and adherents.”
While it may no doubt be felt that this presentation is in some respects inadequate, yet it is significant that the point has been made that the unique nature of the Church’s separation is that it had to do with doctrine.
D. MacLean
Sad Calamities
On the night of 24th/25th December and in a matter of a few hours half the city of Darwin in Northern Australia was destroyed by a cyclone. The cyclone killed 50 people and rendered hundreds homeless. A day or two later an earthquake occurred in North Pakistan in which several thousand perished and many thousands were left homeless.
These solemn events in the closing days of 1974 remind us anew of the uncertainty of time. Little did the people of Darwin think how quickly death and destruction would come to their city. So, too, with the inhabitants of that part of Pakistan where the earthquake occurred. In the light of these events what need there is to redeem time. May these events speak to us and warn us of our danger. Let us ever remember that — “in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.”
Mao Tse-Tung
Mao Tse-Tung, 81 year old Communist leader of China, whose writings are avidly devoured by his blinded followers and worshippers, has apparently been telling his visitors that he will soon be going to meet his gods. How revealing is all this! The man who has ruled China’s millions with a rod of iron, as well as being the prophet of an atheistic creed, must go the way of all flesh and face the last awful and inevitable messenger of death. How confirmatory this is of the Biblical truth of the frailty of man.
But, Mao, it is not to meet your gods you are going, but to meet God, your Maker and Lawgiver, who is now to be your Judge. To Him you must shortly give in your account. Oh how solemn will that account be when the blood of the martyred Church of China is found in your skirts, unless Manasseh-like you are brought to repentance while the day of mercy lasts.
Death Penalty for Terrorist Murders
An attempt to make the Government consider bringing in the death penalty for terrorist murders was defeated in the Commons by a majority of 367 to 217. This vote has further confirmed what has been evident for a long time now — that Parliament has no will to restore capital punishment in any form whatsoever. As far as one can see it is only by a revival of true religion and a return to Biblical teaching that we can expect the restoration of the death penalty as the ultimate sanction of the law. Until that time the deliberate murderer will escape the full rigour of the law.
Because of its action Parliament must bear responsibility for the continuing increase in crimes of violence.
Juvenile Crime
It appears that in the first six months of 1974 there was a 25 per cent increase in juvenile crime. Because of this the Home Office is reviewing the Children and Young Persons Act of 1969. This Act deprived magistrates of the power to send a child to an approved school. A child can be sent to a local authority Community Home but these homes have proved inadequate to cope with the very delinquent child.
The real trouble lies in many of the reforms introduced in recent times. Most of these have involved an easing of sanctions against offenders — particularly with regard to the young. Sad to say, even when the reforms produce the very opposite effect from that intended there is no thought of reviewing the modern attitude to crime but only of trying something else of a similar nature. Here again as in so many other departments of national life, what is needed is a return to Biblical principles. This, of course, would involve a recognition of man’s inherently depraved nature and the need for firm, not cruel, but salutory sanctions for both old and young offenders.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Northern — At Dingwall on 4th February at 2.30 p.m.
Southern — At Glasgow on 18th February at 6 p.m.
Canadian Deputies
We are glad to record the safe arrival in this country from Toronto during the middle of last month of Rev. and Mrs J. A. Macdonald, Fort William. Mr MacDonald enjoyed his visit to Ontario, apart from the time towards the end of his stay when he suffered an attack of flu’. It is matter of great thankfulness to the Lord that they have returned safely to their family and congregation. We do pray that Mr MacDonald’s labours in Ontario at such a crucial time in the history of the Church there will be greatly owned of the Lord.
A Report of the early part of Mr MacDonald’s visit will appear in next issue (D.V.), together with a full report by Rev. Donald Campbell, Convener of the Dominions and Overseas Committee, on the reception of two Canadian Congregations by the Synod at a pro-re-rata meeting held in Inverness at the beginning of December 1974.
We also have to record the departure of Rev. Moshe Radcliff for Toronto. He left this country on 9th January and hopes to be there in Ontario until the end of March (D.V.).
Aberdeen Church Seats
The Aberdeen Congregation have purchased a suitable Church Building which came on the market. They intend to dispose of their present building. If any congregation of the Church wishes to obtain seats from the old Church, would they please get in touch with the minister, Rev. E. A. Rayer, who will be glad to give further information.
Correction
In the Book Reviews in the December 1974 issue of the Magazine on page 372 and four lines from the bottom of the page “Schofield Bible” should have read “Scofield Bible.” Rev. Wm. MacLean writes from Grafton: “There was a Dr Schofield who wrote an excellent piece on the Virgin Birth. He is a different person entirely from Scofield of the Scofield Bible.”
Impenitent unbelievers under the preaching of the Gospel are the vilest and most ungrateful of all God’s creatures. The devils themselves, as wicked as they are, are not guilty of this sin; for Christ is never tendered unto them, they never had an offer of salvation on faith and repentance; this is your peculiar sin, and will be the peculiar aggravation of your misery unto eternity; hear, ye despisers, wonder and perish. Take the advice of the Apostle, “Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, etc.” This day, even this is unto you, in the tender of grace, the acceptable time, this is the day of salvation. Others have had this day as well as you, and have missed their opportunity; take heed lest it be so with you also. Now if any one should write it down or peculiarly commit it to remembrance, “This day there was an offer of Christ and salvation in Him made to my soul; from this time I will resolve to give up myself unto Hím.” And if you find your resolutions fail, charge your consciences with what you have engaged, and make yourselves to know that if you go back from it, it is a token that you are going to ruin.
John Owen