Persecution of Christians by the Communists
Behind the iron curtain the persecution of Christian believers and their families continues. The atheistic system which holds power in those countries is violently antagonistic to Christianity in any shape or form. It does appear that protests by persons from countries outside the iron curtain are effective in some instances in securing or hastening the release from prison of these persecuted brethren, or in relieving some of the suffering to which they are exposed for the sake of Christ. For example, of the seven Russian Reform Baptists imprisoned for their involvement in a secret Bible printing press, the five women were released from prison after serving only eight months of their sentences. It is also reported that Vasile Rascol, the Rumanian sentenced to two years for distributing Bibles was released nine months early though in this case it would appear to be on the grounds of ill health. Many other Christians however are still in prisons in Siberia and elsewhere in the U.S.S.R., as well as in other Eastern European countries.
While making whatever protest we can over these persecutions, let us value all the more the opportunities which are afforded to us still to worship God in public and in private in peace and quiet. Let us also pray that the Lord will continue these blessings to us as a nation at a time when we appear ready to lose them through our many sins and back-slidings from God.
Charity Status of the L.D.O.S.
The charitable status of the Lord’s Day Observance Society has been questioned by the Charity Commissioners and also by the Expenditure Committee of the House of Commons. The Report of the Committee states: “We have received representations about the L.D.O.S., a religious society, which is not only propagating a particular object but indulges in very considerable political pressure and propaganda to attain its ends.” The General Secretary of the L.D.O.S. in replying in a Memorandum to these observations which he regards at its best as misleading and damaging states: “The only occasions when the Society has taken ‘political action’ — if by such term is meant some kind of contact with Parliament or its Members — have been (a) at General Elections when the Society has asked its sympathisers to question the candidates about possible legislation with regard to ‘Sunday’, and (b) at such times as legislative action is before Parliament which would affect the preservation of ‘Sunday’, when M.P.’s are contacted by both the Society and many constituents.”
We regret that the Charity Commissioners and a Parliamentary Committee should express doubts about the justification of the Society’s charitable status. Its witness on the side of the Lord’s Day has not made it a popular society in high places nor amongst an ungodly world. It is not surprising therefore that representations should be made against it but it is regrettable that any place would be given to these representations.
Church Notes
Concerted Prayer
Let us remember in our prayers the persecuted Church of God in the world and let us plead that the Lord will hasten the day when “the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea”. Let us not forget Rhodesia in its present situation and seek, if that is the Lord’s will, that an ordered settlement be obtained between its European and African peoples.
Our friends on the Mission Field should ever be borne upon our spirits at a Throne of grace — that the Lord would sustain them and prosper His Cause in that part of the world and wherever He is sending His Word throughout the whole world.
The Voice of Death
It is with sorrow we record the removal by death of three elders of the Church during the month of October. These were: Mr Colin Gillies, Applecross; Mr Alexander Maclean, Gairloch; and Mr Angus Macleod, Ullapool. Besides these three, there passed away since May: Mr Roderick MacInnes, Staffin; Mr John MacKay, Dunvegan; Mr John MacCuish, Shieldaig; and Mr Hector Campbell, Ullapool. The removal of these gracious men leaves a blank in our midst. The Lord alone is able to repair the breaches made in the walls of Zion. May He raise up others to take the place of those whom He has taken home to glory. We extend sympathy to the families and congregations concerned and commend them to the God of all grace.