Meeting of Synod
The Synod will meet (D.V.) on Tuesday, 18th May 1976, in the new St Jude’s Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, at 6.30 p.m. when the retiring Moderator, Rev. John Nicolson, Tain, is expected to preach.
We would ask the praying people of the Church to remember the ministers and elders of the Church at a Throne of grace as they meet in Synod to deal with matters affecting the interests of Christ’s Cause amongst us. Our desire should be that the Lord would direct the brethren in all the matters to which they have to give their attention and that all that is done may be to the glory of His great Name.
Induction at Shieldaig
On 16th September 1976, the Western Presbytery of the Church met in the Shieldaig church to induct Rev. Donald M. Campbell, formerly of Zenka, to the Pastoral charge of the congregation. A large congregation had gathered and the church building was comfortably full. Revs. A. F. Mackay, A. Macpherson, S. F. Tallach, J. Macdonald and Duncan Maclean were present and were associated with the Presbytery for the meeting.
The Presbytery was constituted in the Manse and proclamation was made at the Church Door. Thereafter, the Moderator, the Rev. John Walter Ross of Lochcarron preached an appropriate sermon from the words, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Eccl. 9:10). The Clerk then gave a brief narrative of proceedings in the Call.
The Moderator then put to Mr Campbell the Questions appointed to be put to ministers on their induction to a pastoral charge, and Mr Campbell signed the Formula in the presence of the congregation. After prayer the Moderator inducted Mr Campbell to the pastoral charge of the Shieldaig Congregation and the brethren gave to him the right hand of fellowship. Thereafter, the newly inducted pastor was suitably addressed by the Rev. A. Macaskill and Rev. D. B. Beattie exhorted the congregation as to its duty in appropriate terms. Three of the ministers from outside the Presbytery then spoke briefly as appropriate to the occasion. After the Benediction the Congregation welcomed their new minister at the Church Door.
Hospitality was then extended to the visiting friends by the ladies of the congregation in the nearby manse.
That Shieldaig which was signally honoured from the inception of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland may now prosper along with its new minister is a matter for pleading at the Throne of Grace.
(I regret delay in the appearance of this notice).
A.M. Clerk.
Induction at Ness
On Tuesday the 10th day of February, 1976, the Outer Isles Presbytery met within the Church at Ness, to induct the Rev. William Maclean, M.A., to the pastoral charge of the Congregation. The Moderator having constituted the Presbytery, the Rev. D. A. Maclellan, Uig preached an edifying sermon to a large congregation on Matthew 10 verses 16-18. At the close of public worship the Moderator read a brief narrative of the steps taken to fill the vacancy, caused by the translation of the Rev. John Nicolson to Tain. The questions appointed to be put to ministers on admission to a Pastoral Charge were satisfactorily answered by the minister elect, and then having signed the Formula in the presence of the Congregation, the Moderator in the name of the Presbytery and by the authority of the Divine Head of the Church did admit the Rev. Wm Maclean to the pastoral charge of the Ness Congregation. The right hand of fellowship was then given to the newly inducted minister by members of the Presbytery and by Rev. D. M. Campbell Shieldaig who was associated with them.
Thereafter the Rev. D. J. Macaskill suitably addressed the newly-inducted minister and the Rev. D. Maclean, the Congregation. The people then had an opportunity of welcoming their minister at the door of the Church as they went out.
The occasion of Mr Maclean’s induction to Ness is unique in the history of our Church, as it was in this congregation that he began his ministry. Having laboured in both New Zealand and Australia he has now returned to sow the good seed of the kingdom again in his first charge.
We earnestly desire and pray that his ministry in Ness will be greatly blessed to the ingathering of many souls to the Saviour.
D.M.
Motion by Western Presbytery
The Western Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church deplores the practice of attacking individuals in the public press, thus failing to observe the scriptural practice of dealing with any grievance against an individual according to Church Law based on Matthew 18.
Furthermore, the Presbytery condemns as iniquitous and cowardly the practice of writing letters to the public press while shielding under the cloak of anonymity.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Skye: At Portree on 4th May at 11 a.m.
Northern: At Dingwall on 29th June at 2.30 p.m.