(a) On 9th December 1974, the Synod met pro re nata in the Church, Inverness, to hear and dispose of petitions for admission to the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
These petitions were signed by Office-bearers, members and adherents of the Presbyterian Reformed Church, Ontario, Canada. After long and careful deliberations the Synod unanimously granted the crave of the petitions. By this decision, two congregations have been added to our existing congregations in Canada. For this encouraging improvement in the Church’s position overseas, we thank the Lord who gave the increase.
(b) An outline of the background to the decision of 4th December is given in this article and we begin with a brief sketch of the history of the Presbyterian Reformed Church.
As a denomination it dates from 1965, when two congregations of which it was composed, united. These congregations were in Toronto and Chesley, and their history was better known to past generations of our Church. The Chesley congregation once belonged to the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland and we are glad to see our Church once more represented there. The Toronto congregation, now worshipping at Victoria Park Avenue, was for many years independent but loyal to the Reformed faith.
When the said union was consummated the Presbyterian Reformed Church had its own Presbytery having two ministers. However this happy situation ended when one of the ministers left. As two ministers and an elder are the minimum required for a quorum, the Church found itself without a Presbytery of its own. This necessitated enlisting ministerial help from other Churches; a situation which caused disappointment among those who expected the Lord’s blessing on their Church. Disappointment resulted in a more thorough examination of their position and some lost confidence in their Presbytery. While looking elsewhere for a spiritual home they addressed themselves to the Head of the Church for help and although they did not petition our Synod in 1973 they continued praying that God would intervene on their behalf by leading them to a sound Church which would provide gospel ordinances for themselves and their children. One can imagine their joy when they heard that the Free Presbyterian Church was willing to consider the possibility of union between the two Churches. They regarded this as an answer to their prayers and they rejoiced. Nothing would deter them now in their determination to be identified with a church with whose constitution they wholeheartedly agreed and whose practice they admired.
(c) The said petitions stem from a decision of Synod in September 1973, when the Dominions and Overseas Committee were instructed to investigate the possibility of union between the Presbyterian Reformed Church, Ontario, and the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
In implementation of its instructions the Committee sent Deputies to Ontario. The first was Rev. Alexander Murray who was followed by Rev. John Nicolson. Mr Murray was back home for the Synod in May 1974, when he gave the Court a report of his investigations. On receiving this report, the Synod reaffirmed its decision of September 1973, and instructed the Committee to continue its investigations. It was further decided that the Convener of the Committee should visit Ontario after Mr Nicolson returned home. Both Mr Murray and Mr Nicolson had a meeting with the presbytery of the Presbyterian Reformed Church but regrettably the result of the meeting was not encouraging as the majority of the members were not in favour of union with the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. After the meeting between our Deputies and the Presbyterian Reformed Presbytery, Rev. John Nicolson sent a Report and in his Report recommended to the Convener that as there were some members of Presbytery and many in both Toronto and Chesley congregations in favour of union with the Free Presbyterian Church, the investigations should be continued.
On Mr Nicolson’s return to Scotland, the Convener went to Toronto at the beginning of July to have talks at all levels with interested parties. I discovered that while many of the people were enthusiastically interested, a majority of the members of Presbytery were either indifferent to or actually opposed to the proposed union. This clash of interest between the people’s representatives and the people themselves made the position more difficult. After several unsuccessful attempts at having a meeting with their representatives, a Presbytery meeting was eventually called for 16th August 1974, and this was followed by a congregational meeting of the Toronto congregation, Victoria Park Avenue, on 19th August. Of the thirteen members present at that meeting, eight voted in favour of union with the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, two voted against union and three abstained. The adherents present were mainly in favour of union. I attended both meetings, presided at the latter, and submitted proposals for union. In the meantime, a section of the Chesley congregation of the Presbyterian Reformed Church decided to join the Free Presbyterian Church. These developments, most gratifying both to us and to the Church’s friends in Ontario, intensified the opposition. However, members and adherents from both congregations, Toronto and Chesley, petitioned the Synod and these petitions received by the Dominions and Overseas Committee on 1st October were transmitted to the Synod for disposal.
We left Ontario for Scotland on 19th August 1974, and Rev. M. Radcliff supplied Toronto and Chesley for a few Sabbaths.
Rev. J. A. MacDonald went to Ontario as Church Deputy on 4th October. His report covers the first part of his work there and his original term of service in Ontario had to be extended substantially as the situation there made his presence and experience most desirable. Mr MacDonald’s uncompromising loyalty to his Church well qualified him for the difficult and delicate problems he, like his predecessors, had to face. The whole Church is indebted to him for his services as Deputy. We feel sure he felt well rewarded when he found himself intimating to the friends of the Church the Synod’s decision.
The foregoing statement of events in Ontario is a bare outline of the situation created by the Free Presbyterian Church’s desire to help our friends in that Province. The desire expressed in our offer of help proceeded from a sincere motive. This could explain the resolute manner in which all concerned pursued the matter. All tactics calculated or intended to discourage those in favour of union failed. The petitioners, resisting all opposition, persevered until they reached their goal. May the Lord who so manifestly blessed them this far, grant them the blessing they earnestly desire, namely, a gospel ministry. The “Macedonian” cry from across the Atlantic has been heard and answered.
Donald Campbell, Convener.
Dominions and Overseas Committee.