Concerted Prayer
While concerned that the Lord would in mercy visit our land with a day of awakening to arouse sinners from their sleep of death, let us also be concerned that the Lord would visit His own people in this day of backsliding. It is only too evident that matters have fallen very low with the professed Church of God in the world. May the Lord then in mercy revive His people and this may well be the beginning of better days for our nation and for the nations of the world.
Dominions and Overseas Fund Collection
By Synod appointment the collection for this Fund is due to be taken in September, D.V.
As the overseas commitments of the church increase, the cost of pulpit supply to our congregation, separated by vast distances, accordingly increases.
Help us to continue the work of supplying gospel ordinances to our people scattered abroad.
“Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.” Isaiah, chapter 32, verse 20.
1st September, 1975.
Donald Campbell, Convener,
Dominions and Overseas Committee.
Opening of the New Church in Glasgow
In 1972 the Deacons’ Court of the St Jude’s Congregation in Glasgow took into consideration a report from their architect which showed that the building was in a bad state of repair and would require a large sum of money to put it into a good condition. It was decided to take steps to examine the feasibility of selling the Church and building a new one. It was agreed that this could be done and a new site was purchased at Beltane Street upon which to build the proposed new Church.
It was expected that planning permission would be obtained in 1972 and that building would commence in 1973. Delays were experienced as usual with the Planning authorities, with the result that permission was not obtained until 1973 and the hope was to build in 1974. St Jude’s was accordingly sold in July, 1973, the contract containing a clause that the congregation would have two years’ rent free use of the Church, during which time it was expected that the new Church would be completed. When the schedules sent out to the Building Contractors were returned, however, they revealed that due to the unprecedented rise in building costs in the latter part of 1973, the price had doubled and the project of building a new Church had to be abandoned.
In 1974, the Woodlands Parish Church became vacant and the Deacons’ Court took steps to purchase this handsome building. Having been successful in this, they then proceeded to stone-clean the outside and make the necessary alterations inside to put the building in a first-class state of repair and to make it suitable as a place of worship for a Free Presbyterian Congregation. In doing this, the Deacons’ Court had their eye on the fact that their period of rent-free lease expired in July 1975.
On the 6th June, almost a month to the day before the lease expired, the new Church was opened in the kind providence of the Lord. The opening service was conducted by the Rev. Donald Campbell, M.A., Edinburgh, who preached an appropriate sermon from Haggai, chapter 11, verse 9: “And in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.” The Church which is seated for approximately 1,000 was well filled with a large congregation of 800 souls. Free Presbyterian friends from Lewis, Skye, Inverness, Fort William, Oban, Greenock, Edinburgh and other places in Scotland together with some from Canada gathered for the occasion. Rev. P. Mzamo had also intended to be there but had to return early to Rhodesia because of passport difficulties. We understand that quite a large number of the former congregation were also present at the service.
This event caused wide-spread interest in Glasgow outside Free Presbyterian circles. The Convener of the Planning Committee told us that the Committee were delighted with the work being done, while the officials made it clear that they regarded the renovated building as one of their great successes. In an article completely devoted to the new St Jude’s appearing in the Project Scotland paper the writer states: “Restoration work, including stone-cleaning at Woodlands Church in Glasgow’s Park conservation area is the largest job of its kind to be carried out in the city for some time.” The Western Conservation Society, who were carrying out a bus tour of noted city churches in connection with European Architectural Year, asked for permission to include our Church in this tour and, on visiting the Church, expressed their appreciation. In view of this enthusiasm in city circles, it might seem surprising that with the exception of one local paper, The West End News, the city Press ignored the opening of the Church completely, despite the fact that they were informed of the date.
When one considers, however, the publicity given early this year by the Daily Express, Daily Record, Glasgow Herald and Scotsman to the wind of change which was supposed to be blowing through the Free Presbyterian Church, on the one hand, and, on the other, notes the deafening silence of the same so-called organs of news when this new Church was opened, one is bound to come to the conclusion that there is a definite bias against the Church in the Press in Scotland today. A meeting of one of the Minority Groups in Glasgow recently, which could only muster up to 50 people, warranted the presence of a Baillie to give a welcome and plenty of publicity to follow. The opening of a place of worship where that Calvinism, which is the full-orbed gospel, is preached, where the worship is scriptural and the discipline exercised is in accordance with the Word of God, is, however, an event over which the vail of silence must be drawn, although 800 people gathered to it. Truly the world loveth his own and there is a lesson here for our loyal people. They should recognise that the press is no friend to the Church. They should not therefore be disturbed when attacks are made on it by reporters who have only to put their pens to paper to evidence how little they know of Christianity.
Those of us who have been most immediately connected with the events which led up to St Jude’s Congregation leaving their old building and going to this new one have been greatly encouraged by the evident signs of the Lord’s hand and care over His Cause in Glasgow. In this sad day, when the love of many waxes cold, it has been a great source of strength to feel that “The Lord of us hath mindful been.” Our earnest hope and prayer is that “He will bless us still.”
D.M., Glasgow.
Student Received
At the Northern Presbytery meeting at Dingwall on Tuesday, 17th June 1975, Mr Neil M. Ross, B.A., an elder of the Inverness congregation, was received by the Presbytery as a student studying for the ministry of the Church. Mr Ross hopes to enter upon his Divinity Course this winter when he will join (D.V.) the Old Testament Hebrew class under Rev. M. MacSween at Oban.
A.F. MacKay, Presbytery Clerk.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Southern: At Glasgow, on 16th September, at 6 p.m.
Skye: At Portree, on 21st October, at 11 a.m.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 18th November at 3.30 p.m.
Committee Meetings
The following Committees will meet at the Free Presbyterian Church, Inverness on Tuesday, 7th October and Wednesday, 8th October, 1975 (D.V.):—
Tuesday, 7th October:
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. — Church Extension.
10 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. — Publications.
11.30 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Religion and Morals.
2.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. — Finance.
4.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. — Dominions and Overseas.
7 p.m. – 9 p.m. — Jewish and Foreign Missions.
9 p.m. – 10 p.m. — Home of Rest.
Wednesday, 8th October:
10 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. — Church Interests.
11.30 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Church Magazines.
Day of Prayer
The Synod agreed that in the light of the accelerating pace of the religious and moral deterioration in Church and State throughout our beloved land, a day of humiliation and prayer be held throughout our Church on Wednesday, 15th October 1975 (D.V.), and that we endeavour to pray earnestly for an outpouring of the Divine Spirit.
Acknowledgment of Donations
The General Treasurer, Mr Wm. D. Fraser, FCMA, 20 Daleview Avenue, Glasgow G12 0HE, acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations:—
Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund: Mrs Baker, Dundee, £2; Mr & Mrs Livingstone, Ardheslaig, £10; Mr & Mrs D. MacP., Balloch, £2; Mrs Ferguson, per A. MacP., £5; Mrs Townsley, per A. MacP., £1; last three for Bulawayo Church Building Fund; Collection taken at Glasgow meeting, £42; A Friend, Delhi Postmark, £8.
China Mission Fund: Kyle Friend, per Rev. S.F.T., £10 (for work in Taiwan).
Home Mission Fund: Friend, Lutterworth, £20.
Home of Rest Fund: Anon., Resident, £6; Anon., Resident, £5; Anon., Resident, £3; Anon., Friend, Glasgow, £5; In loving memory of Gillanders family, Plockton; Resident, £21; Visitor, Inverness, £5; Visitor, Clydebank, £5; Resident, £5; Friend, Inverness for Petrol, £2; Resident for Petrol, £1; Visitor, Raasay, £1; Mrs MacD., Lochcarron, £1.
The Publications Treasurer, Mr R.W.M. MacKenzie, CA, Hilton of Cadboll, Fearn, Ross-shire, IV20 1XP, acknowledges with sincere thanks:
Free Distribution Fund: Mrs M., North Tolsta, £2; Kames Friend, £2.
Welfare of Youth Fund: St Jude’s Congregation, £10.
The Treasurers of the following congregations acknowledge with sincere thanks:
Auckland, N.Z.: L.G. Stratford, N.Z., \$70; M. & D. Wanganui, \$100; Stornoway Friend, Col. 3:24, £5; Two Raasay Friends, £20; Two Friends, Inverness, £10; A.M.L., Stornoway, £5, last four per Rev. D.M. Macleod; Anonymous, \$100.
Beauly: Two Friends, £5; Envelope in Plate, £5; Dingwall Friend, £10; Friends, £15; Friend, £5, all for Church Building Fund.
Fearn: Canadian Friend, per Rev. J.N. for Foreign Mission Fund, £4.50; Canadian Friends, per Rev. J.N. for Manse Fund, £40; A Friend, per Rev. J.N. for Manse Fund, £4; In memory of the late Mrs Helen Macdonald, Balintore for Manse Fund, £25.
Fort William: Uist Friend, £5, for Congregational needs, per Rev. J.A. MacDonald.
Glasgow: Anon. (in envelope), £1, for General Building Fund; Anon., £1, for Organisation Fund; Anon. (to Dr & Mrs Tallach for personal needs), £10; Anon. (G417), £5, for Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund; Anon., £1, for Dominions and Overseas Fund; Anon., £1, for College and Library Fund; Anon. (for Communion Expenses), £2; M.S. (for Communion Expenses), £2; M.S., £2, for Bus Expenses; Anon. (Edinburgh Communion), £1, for Bus Expenses; Anon., £100, per W.D.F.; Two old St Jude’s friends, Raasay, £5; Anon., £5; M.S. (for church opening catering), £5; A Harris Friend, £2, last five for St Jude’s Development Fund.
Laide: Bettyhill Church Door Collection, per G.T., £9; Friend, South Erradale, £5; Friend, Inverness, £5; Two Friends, Fort William, £5; Friend, Inverasdale, £3; Gairloch, Friend, £5; Friend, Port Henderson, £10; Friend, Inverness, £5; Friend, Poolewe, £5; Friend, Shieldaig, £2; Two Friends, Raasay, £5; Aultbea Friend, £6; J.C., £10; D.M., £6.
Laig: Uist Friend, £5, for Congregational Needs, per Rev. D.B.M.
Lochinver: Mrs Adams, Glasgow, £5, per Rev. A. MacAskill.
London: Anon., £10; Anon., Muir of Ord, £100; Anon., £5; Anon., Wick, £30, last three per Rev. M. MacL., all donations for Church and Manse Building Fund.
North Tolsta: In memory of a dear husband and father, £3, for Minister’s Car Expenses, per Rev. D. Maclean; In memory of a dear mother, £5, for Congregational Purposes (in Church Plate).
Plockton/Kyle: Envelope in Plate, Kyle, £2, for Sustentation Fund; Envelope in Plate, Plockton, £3, for Congregational Purposes.
Portree: Young Friend, £5, for Sustentation Fund, per F.M.
Raasay: Raasay Friend, £6, for Sustentation Fund, per Rev. D. Nicolson; Friend, Raasay, £1, per Rev. D. Nicolson; Two Friends, Inverarish, £3; Friend, Raasay, £3; Friend, Portree, £2, last four for Communion Expenses) Two Sisters, Inverarish, £4, for Manse Extension.
Staffin: C. MacD., £3, per Mrs Buchanan; M.N., £5, per M.M.; Friend, Kent, £2, per M.M.; Friend, £5, per M.M.I.; In memory of my dearly beloved husband, Roderick MacInnes, £100; Two aged Raasay friends in memory of R. MacInnes, £5, all for Sustentation Fund; Two friends, Inverness, £10, for Congregational Purposes, per Rev. J. MacDonald; Mrs MacPh., Portree, £1, for door collection (envelope in plate); Friend for car upkeep, £5, per Rev. J. MacD.