On Sabbath, 12th June, the Church Extension Charge of Perth, Stirling and Dundee had an encouraging development in that four men were ordained to the Eldership. Mr Alastair N. MacRae and Mr Alisdair M. MacPherson have been involved in Church Extension work in Dundee since its inception. Some of the initiative in starting services there came from them and both were at the first meeting held in Dundee, when search began for a place in which to hold services. It is surely encouraging then to find them now as elders in the congregation. Mr Malcolm Shaw is connected with the Stirling congregation of the charge and he too has been with the congregation since the initiation of services there. Mr Alexander MacLean’s work brought him to Perth some time after services had begun, and he is now settled, with his wife and family, in his home in the city.
It is heartening to have elders resident in each part of the charge. Our hope and prayer for these newly ordained elders is that they would be enabled to discharge their duties and to fulfil the exhortation addressed to them by Rev. I. R. Tallach on the evening of their ordination. The Rev. Tallach preached from Hebrews 13:7 “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation”. After the signing of the formula by the four elders, the minister addressed them as to their office and work. They were to live under the eye of God. Hence, they were to “Take heed unto themselves”. As they would be expected to preach from time to time, they were to take heed unto their doctrine. They were to be eminently prayerful, and to especially remember those under their rule. Faithfulness was required of those to whom the Gospel was committed. They were to seek much of the grace of love — love to their divine Master and love to souls — and thus they were to provide a warm, loving and gracious environment for their people. The congregation were also addressed from Paul’s words to the church in Thessalonica: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them with labour among you and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake” (1 Thess. 5:12, 13).
Rev. I. R. Tallach’s address and telephone number are available on the back of this magazine. For the help of such as may find themselves in any of the Church Extension Charge areas, we also include the address and telephone numbers of Mr Tallach’s new elders who are now ordained to be his fellow-labourers.
We trust that this new development will be to God’s glory, to the good of souls, and to the advancement of Christ’s kingdom in that part of the country.
- Mr Alistair N. MacRae, 9 Laxford Lane, Broughty Ferry, Dundee. Tel. 0382 77875.
- Mr Alex. MacLean, 139 Cedar Drive, Perth. Tel. 0738 31072.
- Mr Malcolm Shaw, 109 Davidson Street, Bannockburn. Tel. 078 681 4055.
- Mr Alisdair M. MacPherson, 24 Ferryfield, Cupar, Fife. Tel. 0334 4173.
J. W. R.
New Southern Presbytery Clerk
At its meeting in Glasgow on Tuesday, 28th June, 1977, the Southern Presbytery accepted with regret the resignation of their Clerk, Rev. Donald MacLean, Glasgow. The Presbytery appointed as their new Clerk, Rev. John M. Brentnall, B.A., 30 Barloan Crescent, Dumbarton, G82 2AT.
Reception of Student
At Portree, and within the Free Presbyterian Church there on Tuesday, the 21st day of June, 1977, Mr Hamish I. MacKinnon, 3 Kitson Crescent, Portree, was received as a student in training for the ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Fraser MacDonald, Clerk of Presbytery.
Correction
In the article on Baptism published in the May issue of the Magazine, page 180, the words “being subject to church authority” should read “being subject to Scriptural church discipline.”
Presbytery Meeting (D.V.)
Northern: At Dingwall on 30th August, at 2.30 p.m.
Perth Communion
Readers may be interested to know that we hope, God willing, to hold a communion in Perth on the last Sabbath of August (28th). The season will, of course, begin on Thursday, 25th. The assisting minister is to be the Rev. S. F. Tallach, Broadford. The services will be as follows:—Thursday, 7.30 p.m.; Friday, 7.30 p.m.; Saturday, 3 p.m.; Sabbath 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.; Monday, 11 a.m. These services will be held in the Forteviot Hall, Pomarium, off St Leonard Street, Perth.
I.R.T.
Southern: At Glasgow on 30th August, at 6 p.m.