Nativity Plays
The article in the present issue of the magazine on “The Increasing Observance of Christmas in Scotland” was written in 1947. At that date the tendency to adopt Romish and pagan practices was clearly discernible. What was a trend then has become the order of the day now. This is true particularly with regard to nativity plays, which have become very popular at this time of the year in Churches and schools. These theatrical productions, in which the Saviour is blasphemously represented by a child’s doll, are supposed to convey the Christian message to the onlookers. How low has Scotland fallen religiously when she can be fobbed off with such misrepresentations of the Christian Faith!
Communist Recognition
The President of Rumania, who is due to pay a State visit to Britain in the spring, is to stay at Buckingham Palace as the guest of the Queen. He is the first Communist leader to be honoured in this way we understand, according to a report in the “Daily Telegraph.”
It is, in our view, regrettable that the Head of an atheistic, undemocratic and totalitarian regime should be accorded such an honour. The persecution of Christians in the countries behind the iron curtain should be sufficient reason for failing to give these countries and their leaders the preferential treatment reserved for more worthy nations. If this was not enough, surely the Communists declared aim of the destruction of all democratic systems is. It is hardly flattering to Her Majesty the Queen to ask her to entertain the representative of a system that is seeking her own and her nation’s destruction.
The Prime Minister and the Pope
In September the Prime Minister had a private audience with the Pope. This accords well with the practice of statesmen of showing deference to the Man of Sin. It was not to Mr Callaghan’s credit, nor for the good of our country, that he chose to follow this practice.
As might be expected Northern Ireland received attention in the discussions. There the Pope has great interest in securing power for the Roman Catholic minority. Mr Callaghan informed him that the Government were doing their utmost to work towards a system of power sharing in the province. This, no doubt, pleased the Pontiff well. He could feel that, having the British Government on his side, he need have no fear but that the interests of his subjects in Northern Ireland would be safe-guarded.
Northern Ireland
Mr Callaghan, the Prime Minister, and Mr Jack Lynch, the Eire Prime Prime Minister, had discussions on Northern Ireland. An attempt is being made to get a fresh initiative going on Northern Ireland, which means, of course, that the Protestants there are to be coerced or cajoled into relinquishing their claim for majority government in the province. In view of the history of Southern Ireland’s relations with the Protestant North, we cannot see what constructive part Eire can play in a settlement in Northern Ireland. Its most helpful role would be one of non-interference, though it is too much to hope for that it would adopt such an attitude. The baneful influence of Roman Catholic power is felt, not only in Northern Ireland, but in the political arena world wide. May the day be hastened when its nefarious influence will be ended.
Warning to Britain
Sir Frederick Catherwood, speaking at a Headmaster’s Conference in Oxford, warned his hearers of the danger facing Britain through the presently prevailing permissive ideology. The present ideology, he declared, is, by any standard, a catastrophic failure, as the social statistics show. He further maintained that in the corridors of power it was the secular view which had the predominant influence in legislation and on education. He called for a return to moral values in education. It is gratifying to hear a man in Sir Frederick’s position speaking out in this way and exposing the present climate of opinion in the nation.
One of the sad features of the situation today is the extraordinary complacency of the leaders of the nation in the face of national moral decline. It is time that they awakened to the realities of the situation before the nation perishes in its own corruption. A true realisation of our danger would bring to the hearts of our leaders a sense of their utter inadequacy to meet the situation and a profound conviction of the need of divine help. May they be speedily brought to this.
Religious Education in Schools
The situation in most schools in the country is very unsatisfactory so far as religious education is concerned. Attempts are now being made in various quarters to try to remedy matters but this is not easy owing to the lack of Christian teachers and a lack of agreement as to what constitutes the Christian Faith. Consequently in many places the subject is greatly neglected, while in other places what is taught is harmful to the children. At the same time humanists cry out for it to be banned and the schools to be completely secularised. If this cry were to be heeded it would be a lamentable step for the nation to take and we hope that it will be resisted. The Education Secretary has pledged that it will be continued. What is needed is that the question of its content be resolved. In the present climate of opinion in the country Religious Education is likely to continue a particularly intractable problem.
The Sabbath in Scotland
The Glasgow and Clydesdale branch of the Lord’s Day Observance Society has sent out an open letter addressed to the Church of God in Scotland in which the Society refers to the steady deterioration of Lord’s Day Observance by the people of God in the land. The letter reminds the Church of God in Scotland of the perpetual obligation to set aside one day in seven as holy to the Lord. The letter further points out that when Sabbath observance becomes a burden and begins to lapse it is a sign of apostacy from God.
It is surely a solemn matter when the Society has to address itself to the Church of God in this way. If the professed Church of God in the land has virtually abandoned the observance of the Sabbath then how low has the Church fallen.