Meditations on the Sacred Humanity of the Blessed Redeemer
by J. C. Philpot. Published by O. G. Pearce, 15a Park Ave. South, Harpenden, Herts (137 pages).
Those who are familiar with Philpot and who enjoy his writings will not be disappointed with his “Meditations”. One of the impressive features is the scope of the book which acquaints the reader with a wide range of aspects relating to the humanity of Christ, from the virgin birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension and on to His work as Great High Priest and Intercessor to conclude with His Second Coming.
This work follows his able defence of the eternal sonship of Christ, written to expose contrary views expressed by some in his day and which are still held to the present time. There has, throughout the history of the professing Church, been much confusion concerning the Person of Christ. Among those views which plagued the early Church was the Nestorian heresy which asserted that Christ’s human nature was a Person, so making two Persons, and the Eutychian error which held there was but one nature. Philpot has much insight into these sacred mysteries of the Person and natures of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In writing upon them he avoids a cold, abstract theological approach. He warms the heart of the exercised believer, showing clearly how all that pertains to the human nature of Christ is a blessed revelation of the grace and wisdom of God, which calls for devotion and admiration of the precious Saviour. As a master of experimental application he says in a chapter dealing with the effects of the Redeemer’s resurrection that the “sweet revival, gracious renewal, soft word, melting touch, comforting look, heavenly smile, encouraging testimony or blessed manifestation from the risen Lord of life and glory . . . and to experience it in the soul, is to experience it in the power of His resurrection.”
E.A.R.
Big MacRae
by G. N. M. Collins. Knox Press Paperback. 124 pp. Price 80p.
Professor Collins has written this popular account of the noted Rev. John MacRae, better known as MacRath Mor, who was successively minister of Cross in Lewis, Knockbain in Easter Ross, Greenock, and finally in two parishes in Lewis, Lochs and Carloway. Many interesting anecdotes are given in the book relating to his ministry in those places.
Brought up under the preaching of the eminent Dr John Macdonald, the Apostle of the North, John MacRae was led himself to take up the work of the ministry. He became an outstanding preacher of the Gospel and his ministry was greatly blessed of the Lord. Readers, we are sure, will welcome the opportunity of recalling those days of the Gospel granted a century ago. They will also be reminded of the controversial times through which the Church had to pass in those days. Professor Collins refers to the Union negotiations which troubled the Church at that time and how Mr MacRae opposed them but on the grounds of expediency only and not of principle.
The last 30 pages contain sermon notes of Mr MacRae.
D. B. M.
His Great Goodness — the life of Pastor Fred Windridge of Providence Strict Baptist Chapel, London.
Compiled by his daughter, Mrs Olive Perks, 12 Grosvenor Road, Watford, Herts, WD1 2QT.
This interesting and edifying account of the life of Pastor Windridge, who was for 45 years Pastor of Providence Strict Baptist Chapel, London, contains much autobiographical material. After the early loss of his mother and a varied and wild youth, it pleased God to call Fred Windridge by His grace. From that time the Word of God became his meat and drink and the Throne of grace his delight. His baptism followed almost immediately after. In due time the joys which he had experienced in conversion evaporated and a time of decay ensued and continued for a considerable period. During this time he went through great anguish of soul and he relates his soul experiences at this time. Eventually he obtained deliverance. The exercises of his soul over a long period of time in connection with the work of the ministry are very fully told. At length the Lord opened the door for him to preach as a supply in various congregations which continued for 8 years. In January 1917, after a year’s probation, he was called to Providence Strict Baptist Chapel, Ponsard Road, where he was to carry on a gracious Gospel ministry for 45 years until his death on 3rd May 1961 at the age of 94 years. An account of these years, taken mainly from his diaries, is given in the book.
In addition the book contains notes of 7 or 8 sermons by Pastor Windridge, while the last hundred pages or so contain poetry on spiritual themes which he composed.
We warmly recommend this book to our readers and we are sure that exercised readers will find it encouraging and edifying.
D.B.M.
Notes and Comments
Immigration
It is now clear that the influx of immigrants into this country, over the last twenty years or more, has been on such a scale as to change the very face of the nation. While it is true that Christianity remains as the predominant religion in the land, it is evident also that alien religions are beginning to make themselves felt in various quarters. The de-christianising process, which already had made great strides through the upsurge of atheism and materialism, has been greatly accelerated through wholesale immigration. The final outcome of this process, if not arrested, is likely to be serious for the nation. The post-war Governments which permitted this state of affairs to come about bear great responsibility for what has happened.
We must, however, look to a higher Hand in all this. God, in judgment upon a backsliding nation, has permitted it — we trust for our chastisement and correction, and not for our destruction. “Your land, strangers devour it in your presence,” was said to backsliding Israel and Judah. So it can be said of our land. Satan, we believe, has had his own hand in the de-christianising process which is at work, intending to blot out Christ’s Name from the nation. We hope that in this, as in so many other matters, that Satan has outwitted himself and that when the Lord in mercy will pour out His Spirit upon Great Britain again, these immigrants will be as rich partakers of our spiritual blessings as they have been of our temporal ones, and many of them be instrumental in carrying the glorious tidings of the Gospel to those parts of the world from which they have come. Let us pray for such a day of the Lord’s power, for only thus can nations and races and peoples be reconciled to one another and partake, in Christian harmony and unity, of the blessings which are in Christ Jesus.
Rhodesia
In May the Rhodesian Government ordered a national day of prayer in view of the serious situation facing the nation through guerilla incursions from the neighbouring countries. This action by Mr Ian Smith’s Government is a measure of the seriousness with which his Government views the present plight of the nation. It is clear that only divine intervention can preserve Rhodesia at this time, exposed as it is to hostility from within and without. Should the Smith Government fall and an extreme nationalist Government replace it, it is almost certain that Mission activity would soon have to cease and Christians would suffer persecution.
Whether the Smith Government will stand or fall does not depend primarily on the strength of her forces or the strength of the enemy but rather on the purposes of God concerning His Church in that part of the world. Consequently the calling of a day of prayer in which Rhodesia acknowledged her dependence on Divine help was an appropriate response in her time of danger. It has become unfashionable among modern civilised governments to call upon God in this way. Few governments would be ready to follow Rhodesia’s example in calling a day of prayer though their need is no less great. Let us wait, then, and see whether God will favour the nation which owns publicly its dependence on Him or those nations which trust in their own strength.
Juvenile Crime
Sgt. Leslie Male, Chairman of the Police Federation, in addressing the federation’s annual Conference in May, claimed that psychiatrists and reformers have sown the seeds of a crime harvest among the young such as Britain has never seen before. He also exposed the 1969 Children and Young Person’s Act whose basic philosophy, he said, was that there was no such thing as a juvenile criminal, only a child with problems.
The police, well aware of the seriousness of the situation at present, and conscious of how inadequate present measures are to combat increasing juvenile delinquency, are seeking to warn the public of their danger. It is all too evident that men in positions of authority today who are humanistic in outlook, are destroying the effectiveness of the police and of the courts in combating crime. Only a return to effective deterrents will restore the police and the courts to their proper role as punishers of those who do evil and supporters of those who do well.
Church Note
Staff for Rhodesia
As Miss M. MacKenzie and Mrs Tallach are due home in August (DV) two teachers are required to take their place in the John Tallach Secondary School at Ingwenya. Such teachers must be University Graduates and be qualified to teach English, Maths and Needlework. Two nurses are also required for Mbuma Mission Hospital.
The Committee hope that the Lord will give a mind to some of our young people to come forward to fill these posts. In view of the present situation, the Committee would be prepared in certain circumstances to consider shortening the length of the contract from three to two years.
Applications should be sent to the Clerk of this Committee from whom all other information can be obtained.
(Rev.) Donald MacLean,
Clerk,
13 Kingsborough Gardens,
Glasgow G12 9NH.
Acknowledgment of Donations
The General Treasurer, Mr W. D. Fraser, FCMA, 20 Daleview Avenue, Glasgow G12 0HE, acknowledges the following donations with sincere thanks:—
Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund:
A. Forgie, Redding, £25.
Dominions and Overseas Fund:
Mrs Zeigler, Houston, Texas, £54.94 for work in Italy.
Trinitarian Bible Society:
Anon, Arivruach postmark, £15.
Home of Rest Fund:
Resident, Anon, £10; £10; £10; £10; £20; £5; Mrs M. Morrison, North Tolsta, £5; Friend, £2; Friend, Glasgow, £2.
Ingwenya:
Toronto Ladies (May 1975-April 1976), $240 Rh.; Vancouver Ladies (July 1975-Feb. 1976), $193 Rh.; Misses Beaton, Calgary, $30 Rh.; Miss Steadman, Winnipeg, $50.50 Rh.; Inverness Ladies, per Miss Steadman, £200; Inverness Ladies, per Rev. A. F. MacKay, £17.50; Mr and Mrs H. MacKenzie, Balintore, $31 Rh.; Two Friends, Achmore, £60; Two Friends, Glasgow, £100; Inverness Sabbath School, £125 and £155; Dingwall Sabbath School, £20.
The Treasurers of the following Congregations acknowledge with sincere thanks the following donations:—
Aberdeen:
J. MacPh., Aviemore, £1 for Communion Expenses per WHMM.
Dumbarton:
Friends “K,” £5; Friends, Edinburgh, £5; Friend, Dingwall, £5; Friend, Edinburgh, £1, all for Manse Fund and last three per Thos. MacRae.
Fort William:
Mrs C., Onich, £1 for Sustentation Fund; D. MacD., Tyndrum, £1 for Church Funds, both per Rev. J. A. MacDonald; £5 found among Sustentation envelope in porch.
Glasgow:
E.M.M., £2 for Dr Tallach, Taiwan.
Kyle/Plockton:
Envelope in plate, £4; Envelope in plate, £8; both for Manse Building Fund.
Lochinver:
Mrs B., Elphin, £5 for Sustentation Fund per Rev. A. MacAskill.
Portree:
Miss M.M., £200 for Sustentation Fund per F.M.
Raasay:
J. M. MacL., £2 per J. Nicolson; Friend, Staffin, £5, both for Sustentation Fund; Two Friends, Inverarish, £5 for Congregational Purposes.
Stirling, Perth and Dundee:
Lover of the Cause, £2; Friend, Home of Rest, Inverness, £2; Friend, Lochcarron, £2; Friend, Oban, £5; Friend, Inverness, £2 (P.O.); Friend, Glasgow, £10; Friend, Thurso, £10, all for Perth Manse; Anon., Ullapool, £10 for Extension Work.
Stoer:
Anon., Aberdeen, £5 for Communion Expenses per Rev. Alex. MacAskill.
Strath:
Anon., £10 (in plate); Anon., £5 (in plate), both for Manse Communion Expenses; Kyle Friends, £5 for Church Funds per M. MacLean.
Wick:
Anon., Lingrebay, Harris, £5 for Congregational Fund per Rev. R. R. Sinclair.
Auckland, New Zealand:
Anon., $100; Friend, Pap., $50; A. deM., Papatoetoe, $100; Anonymous, $100; Mrs MacKenzie, Wellington, $100; M&D. MacG., Wanganui, $50; Stornoway Friend of the Cause, £5; Mrs Batcheldor, Rotorua, $5.