Induction to Vancouver
The Southern Presbytery met within St Jude’s Church, Glasgow, on Thursday, 22nd July, 1976, for the purpose of inducting Rev. D. Beattie to the pastoral charge of the Vancouver Congregation. When intimation was made in the usual way at the Church door that an opportunity would be given to anyone having any objection to the life and doctrine of the Pastor-elect, an objection was made and considered by the Presbytery. After hearing explanations from Rev. D. Beattie with regard to the incident objected to, the Presbytery found the objection irrelevant and proceeded with the induction.
The Moderator, Rev. M. MacSween, M.A., conducted public worship and preached an appropriate sermon from II. Cor. 4:7, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” The subject was divided into the following three heads:
- I. This treasure — the gospel of the grace of God.
- II. The earthen vessels — ministers of the gospel.
- III. The reason for this dispensation — that the excellency of the power may be of God.
The sermon being concluded, the Clerk read the Narrative of Proceedings leading up to this Induction. He then at the request of the Moderator, addressed to Mr Beattie the questions usually put to ministers about to be inducted into a Charge. Mr Beattie answered these satisfactorily and then signed the formula in the presence of the congregation. The Moderator then engaged in prayer and did then induct Rev. D. Beattie to the pastoral charge of the Vancouver Congregation by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the name of the Southern Presbytery. He then, in token of his having inducted Mr Beattie, gave him the right hand of fellowship, in which he was joined by the other members of the Presbytery. Rev. D. Campbell then addressed the newly inducted pastor on his duties. Rev. L. MacLeod likewise addressed the congregation. The proceedings were closed with the singing of Ps. 122 vv. 6
to the end. An opportunity was given to the congregation to shake hands with Mr Beattie at the door of the Church.
It is to be hoped that the ministry to be commenced in Vancouver will be to the glory of God and the good of the congregation in that part of Canada.
(Rev.) Donald MacLean,
Clerk of Presbytery
Which Donald MacMaster?
Replies to the query in the Church Notes of the March issue have confirmed that Rev. Neil MacIntyre’s mother was a sister of Donald MacMaster, Corpach, and not the other Christian worthy of the same name who belonged to Strontian. Thanks are due to those who communicated with Rev. A. McPherson on the subject. The line on page 235 of the Church History should read, therefore, “was the sister of the godly Donald MacMaster, Corpach.”
St Jude’s Development Fund
The Deacons’ Court of St Jude’s Congregation, Glasgow, wish to intimate that the St Jude’s Development Fund has now been closed and that the balance remaining in the fund has been transferred to a new account, known as the St Jude’s Reserve Fund.
New Editor of Gospel Magazine
Rev. John Tallach, Kinlochbervie, has been appointed Editor of the Gospel Magazine. This periodical, which has been edited for the last twelve years by Rev. H. M. Carson, has had a long history and is well known to many of our people. In taking over editorship of the Gospel Magazine Mr Tallach has been set a difficult task in view of the high standard set by previous editors. We would wish Mr Tallach well in this new undertaking.
Day of Prayer
The Synod appointed Wednesday, 13th October, 1976, to be observed as a Day of Prayer throughout the Church, that we may pray that the Spirit of true repentance be poured out on ourselves as a church, that our witness would be maintained and blessed, that we may glorify God by a meek, holy, consistent Christian life, that opportunities would be afforded us for the extension of our witness and the ingathering of many to be true believers in Christ, and that our nation and generation would
be turned to the Lord their God, and that those who are oppressed for holding truly religious views would be delivered from oppression.