Induction of Rev. M. MacInnes, M.A. to Toronto
When the Southern Presbytery agreed to the translation of Rev. M. MacInnes from the London to the Toronto congregation, the Toronto Kirk Session requested that the induction should take place in the church in Toronto instead of one of the churches in Scotland. The Presbytery agreed to this request and further agreed that the expense of this meeting should be equally shared between the Toronto Congregation and the Dominion and Overseas Fund, an arrangement which was confirmed by the Committee concerned.
In terms of this decision, the Southern Presbytery met in the Victoria Park Free Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, the 19th day of January, 1977, at 7.45 p.m. and was constituted. The members of Presbytery present on this somewhat historic occasion were Revs. L. MacLeod (Greenock), Moderator pro tem., Donald MacLean (Glasgow), Clerk, with Messrs. G. Schuit (Chesley) and J. Vanderwal (Toronto), ruling elders. Mr James Fraser was appointed Officer of Court.
After the Edict had been returned certified as duly read, the Officer of Court was instructed to make the customary proclamation three times at the Church door to give anyone having objections to the life and doctrine of the pastor-elect an opportunity to substantiate the same before the Presbytery. After proclamation, he duly reported that no objectors had appeared. Public Worship was then conducted by the Clerk who preached from Hebrews 12:28-29. “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.” On completion of Public Worship, the Narrative of Proceedings was read. The usual questions addressed to a pastor elect were then put to Mr MacInnes, who answered these satisfactorily. The Formula was then read to Mr MacInnes and he, having agreed to do so, signed it in the presence of the congregation. The Moderator pro tem., having engaged in prayer, inducted Mr MacInnes to the pastoral charge of the Victoria Park Free Presbyterian Congregation, Toronto, in the name of the Presbytery and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, the divine Head of the Church. In token thereof he gave Mr MacInnes the right hand of fellowship and in this he was followed by the other members of Presbytery. The Moderator pro tem. then suitably addressed the newly inducted pastor and the congregation, reminding them of their duties and privileges. This part of the proceedings was brought to a conclusion by the singing of Psalm 126 and the benediction. Mr MacInnes went to the Church door and the congregation had an opportunity of shaking hands with him.
The induction took place in the midst of the heavy snows which are common in the Canadian winter. This did not prevent a good number of friends from gathering from various places to witness, for the first time in Canada, the induction of a minister carried out according to the practice of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. There would be about 110 people present, some of whom were ministers of other churches.
Rev. M. MacInnes is the first minister of the Free Presbyterian Church to be settled in the large city of Toronto. He has an important and weighty task in seeking to preach the gospel and build up a congregation in an affluent society with all its consequent temptations. He received a very warm welcome from his congregation which should be a great encouragement to him.
The Presbytery hope the ministry thus begun will be to the glory of God and the good of souls in Toronto and elsewhere.
(Rev.) Donald MacLean
Presbytery Clerk
Committee Meetings (D.V.)
The following Committees will meet at Inverness on 22nd and 23rd March, 1977.
Tuesday 22nd March, 1977
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. — Foreign Missions
9 p.m. – 10 p.m. — Home of Rest
Wednesday 23rd March, 1977
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. — Church Extension
11 a.m. – 12 noon — Church Magazines
12 noon — Church Interests
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Western: At Laide on 8th March at 12 noon.
Skye: At Portree on 5th April at 11 a.m.
Northern: At Dingwall on 5th April at 2.30 p.m.
Southern: At Glasgow on 19th April at 6 p.m.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 26th April at 11.30 a.m.
Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund Collection
This Collection is to be taken this month — March. Our people are being asked to assist and help in the support of our Mission in Rhodesia especially, and also relative to Jewish work. Those who, for one reason or another, have but a limited knowledge of the Gospel, educational and medical activities of the Mission in Rhodesia should read Mission Reports printed in the Synod Proceedings. This may well engage increased support for this Fund.
Financial support from Congregations has been quite inadequate. Some Congregations, families and individuals may be giving most generously, but the total income from all over the Church fell far short of the demands upon this Fund in 1976, by £10,604. This also happened the previous year. This is not characteristic of our Church people in their giving to worthy causes related to the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. But we note that Congregational contributions in 1976, were increased by £1,401.
We herewith ask our people to increase their donations substantially as able, after a Christian consideration of the matter. This appeal should touch our hearts when we think of the serious situation which affects Rhodesia and when our ministers, teachers, nurses and people cannot but have much anxiety from day to day. And so let us give generously and pray earnestly for our Mission work. “Thy Kingdom come” — Matthew 6:10.
Robert R. Sinclair, Convener
Jewish & Foreign Mission Committee
1st March 1977