“When the enemy has come in like a flood . . .” We in New Zealand are conscious of a flood of iniquity overflowing the land just as Christians in Scotland and other parts of the globe are painfully aware of seemingly overwhelming forces of darkness. I understand that the numbers that adhere to the reformed orthodox faith in various churches in the Netherlands amount to ten per cent of the population. In New Zealand the figure is far below one per cent. Such a comparison indicates the seriousness of the situation.
It is in these circumstances that the death of the late Rev. D. M. MacLeod, Auckland, is sorely felt. He faithfully blew the gospel trumpet in the Auckland pulpit for a period of nearly ten years. The joyful sound of the gospel of God’s free grace that sounded forth from the men of Galilee, from Jerusalem, from Mars hill and ancient Rome has had its echoes in New Zealand from Auckland in the north to Invercargill in the south under the auspices of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
When such a large area is to be covered, the departure of a faithful ambassador of Christ is keenly felt. “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray he therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matt. 9:37, 38). Gisborne has a population of only about 30,000; the Auckland urban area however has a population of 743,000, which indicates the vastness of that harvesting field. “Lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” (John 4:35). The distance between Gisborne and Auckland is about 350 miles which involves a road journey of seven hours or a flight by air of one hour.
This distance does not prevent quite a number from both the Auckland and Gisborne congregations making that journey several times a year to gather for the solemn feasts. Communion seasons have, ever since their commencement in August 1959, been highlights in the life of the church. The first communion, dispensed in Gisborne by Rev. Wm. MacLean, assisted by missionary and elder John MacKenzie, provided a spiritual feast for ten communicants, witnessed by an attentive congregation. At the first election of office-bearers in Gisborne, the oldest elected elder was 37 years of age and the youngest office-bearer, a deacon, was 18 years of age. Now, nineteen years later, all have increased in experience and in knowledge of the Saviour and the numbers valuing the testimony of the church in New Zealand have much increased. Whilst the distances are great, the church courts fully function up to the level of the Australia and New Zealand Presbytery. Through the Kirk Session and the Presbytery, in dependence on divine strength and wisdom, an endeavour is continually made as the occasions demand to raise a voice against the moral evils that continue to emerge in a decadent society.
May the infinitely glorious divine Head of the Church, the one Lord, Prophet, Priest and mediatorial King, soon strengthen His everlasting kingdom in these parts by the addition of a ministerial member. Indeed, may He grant an outpouring of the Holy Spirit of grace and of supplications and raise up many pastors after His own heart for the towns, cities and villages of this and other nations.
When I said farewell to the Rev. D. M. MacLeod in Auckland on Monday, 5th June, following the Auckland communion, his parting message was — “The government is on His shoulders,” and “His name forever shall endure, last like the sun it shall.” Sixteen days later, on Wednesday, 21st June 1978, his soul entered that eternal sabbath rest prepared for the followers of the Lamb. But the church militant must wrestle a little longer against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. At no time must we treat the conflict with complacency. Calvin expounds that the darkness is the darkness of unbelief and ignorance of God. As the whole world is covered with darkness, the devil is called “the prince of this world.” (John 14:30). The apostle Paul reminds us that the utmost caution is necessary lest Satan gain an advantage against us with his fiery darts. “Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11).
May we in New Zealand and you in Scotland and others elsewhere be found putting on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.