A New Government
Early in May a new Government took office in Britain and for the first time in the history of the nation a woman, the Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher M.P., became Prime Minister. In view of the state of the nation and the difficult international situation, it is no easy task that awaits the newly installed Government.
We pray that the leaders of the nation may be guided from on High in these dark days and that the sad trends which are so apparent in national life may be arrested and reversed, and the nation put on a right course again. We are commanded to pray “for all that are in authority in order that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
The Banner of Truth Magazine’s Open Letter
In the May issue of the Banner of Truth Magazine, the Editor, the Rev. Iain Murray, published an open letter to the Editor of the Free Presbyterian Magazine (though the Magazine is not named) criticising an article by the late Rev. J.P. MacQueen, London on the Eighteenth Century Evangelical Revival. Mr Murray took exception to the fact that his letter was not published in the Free Presbyterian Magazine and accordingly published it in his own Magazine.
A reply to the allegations he makes against Mr MacQueen’s article appears in the present issue from the pen of the Rev. J.M. Brentnall. For our part, we would only mention some reasons why Mr Murray’s article did not warrant publication in our Magazine.
- The first reason is that it is not the policy of our Magazine to publish letters to the editor.
- Whatever blemishes may have appeared in Mr MacQueen’s article, we were persuaded that what Mr MacQueen was seeking to establish was true, i.e. that John Wesley was not the leader of the Evangelical Revival.
- It was clear that in several instances Mr Murray had misread Mr MacQueen’s article. For instance, his very first criticism is the result of overlooking the word ‘outstandingly’ at the end of Mr MacQueen’s first sentence. He also equates ‘becoming a Papist’ with Mr MacQueen’s ‘imbided Popery’, and admits that he does not understand why Mr MacQueen brought in Leighton in connection with the Evangelical Revival.
Uganda
The overthrow of General Amin in Uganda, bringing his reign of terror to an end, has been welcomed by all civilised nations. The atrocities committed by his evil regime are well known. It is to be hoped that the new Government will be favourable towards Mission Work and the spreading of the good seed of the kingdom. Uganda is remembered in Scotland as that part of Africa where the Rev. Alexander MacKay laboured. May the Gospel yet flourish there and many souls be gathered into Christ’s kingdom.
Church Notes
Death of Rev. Ian R. Tallach, Perth
It is with deep sorrow we record the death of Rev. Ian R. Tallach, minister of the Church Extension Charge of Perth, Stirling and Dundee, which took place suddenly at Heathrow Airport, London on Saturday, 28th April 1979. Mr Tallach complained of feeling unwell to Rev. J.W. Ross, Lochcarron, who was with him, after passing through the Customs on their way to Holland. He then collapsed and passed away. We know that the sympathy of the people of the Church goes out to his widow and four children in their great loss, also to his mother, brother, sisters, and all the family circle, as well as to the congregation now bereft of a pastor. May the Lord graciously send forth labourers into His harvest.
Induction at London
On Wednesday, April 4th, 1979, the Southern Presbytery met in Zoar Chapel, London, for the Induction of Rev. A. McPherson, Stratherrick, to the pastoral charge of the London Congregation. After the Presbytery was constituted in the vestry and the usual proclamation made at the church door, Rev. D. MacLean conducted public worship and preached a most suitable sermon from 2 Cor. 8:23, especially the words ‘they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ’. The sermon stressed that all heaven-sent messengers are set apart from eternity, in Christ, by the effectual call of the Holy Ghost, and in a particular way to the work of the ministry. They are the glory of Christ insofar as they set forth the glory of Christ in their preaching, witness against false religion, and exhibit the grace of Christ in their life, walk and conversation. Accordingly, the churches are to love them and show appreciation of their work. The Clerk then read the Narrative of Proceedings and put the Questions to Mr McPherson, after which he signed the Formula in the presence of the Congregation. Thereafter, the Moderator, Rev. J.A. MacDonald, engaged in prayer and inducted Mr McPherson to the pastoral charge of the Congregation, in the name of the Presbytery and by authority of the Great Head of the Church. The brethren then gave him the right hand of fellowship. The Moderator then addressed the newly-inducted pastor, and Revs. J. Brentnall and L. MacLeod the Congregation. The Clerk also read a letter conveying the good wishes of Rev. A.F. Mackay, Inverness, to Mr and Mrs McPherson and the Congregation. Rev. D. MacLean then addressed Mr McPherson and handed him a monetary gift from the Congregation, upon which Mr McPherson expressed his thanks on behalf of himself and his wife. The Congregation was then dismissed with singing and the Benediction, after which the Congregation welcomed their new pastor at the church door.
It should encourage all who fear God in this day of national apostasy that in the capital city of the land, which in many respects resembles Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord still has a Zoar in which a faithful remnant may be found, having fled from sin and the wrath to come, even to Christ, the great Refuge of sinners. May the Lord abundantly bless the labours of His servant in this new sphere, and add to the Church such as should be saved.
J.M.B. (Clerk)
Barnoldswick Building Fund Appeal
The Deacons’ Court of the Barnoldswick Congregation wish to intimate to friends in the Church that a suitable building has now been purchased, and a Building Fund opened. All contributions, which will be gratefully acknowledged, should be sent to the Congregational Treasurer: Mr C. Metcalf, 47 York Street, Barnoldswick, Colne, Lancs.
This Appeal has been endorsed by the Southern Presbytery.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
- Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 12th June at 11.30 a.m.
- Northern: At Dingwall on 19th June at 2.30 p.m.
- Southern: At Glasgow on 21st June at 6 p.m.
- Skye: At Portree on 26th June at 11 a.m.
- Western: At Laide on 26th June at 12 noon.
Acknowledgment of Donations
The General Treasurer, Mr Wm. Fraser, 20 Daleview Avenue, Glasgow G12, acknowledges the following donations with sincere thanks:—
Dominions & Overseas Fund: Anon., Thurso postmark, £12 for Reformation Study Centre, Italy.
Home of Rest Fund: Friend, Gairloch, £25; Friend, Inverness, £5 for petrol; Mrs F. Graham, Uig, Skye, £2; Dr W.J.M. Mackenzie, Idaho, U.S.A., £20.
The Publications Treasurer acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations:—
Free Distribution Fund: H.M., Gairloch, £3.
Publications Fund: H.M., Gairloch, £3.
The Treasurers of the following congregations acknowledge with sincere thanks the following donations:—
Dumbarton: Friend, Edinburgh, £3 (in plate); N. & M. McC., Mansfield, £5 per D.M.H.; J. McD., £5; Anon., £5; M.F.M., Kyle, £10; Mrs McG., Glasgow, £5 (last four in plate); Mrs J.M., Inverasdale, £5 per J.H.; Friend, Portree, £10 per Rev. J.M.B.; I.C., Glasgow, £5 (in plate), all for Dumbarton Church Extension; I.C., Glasgow, £5 (in plate); Inverness Friend, £5 per T.M.; W.B., Greenock, £5 per J.H.; Banacharaid, Glaschu, £20 per J.H., last four for Dumbarton Manse Fund; Anon., Cardross, £5 for Communion Expenses; Anon., Cardross, £5 for Italian Mission; Anon., £5 for Jewish & Foreign Mission; Anon., £5 Blythswood Tract Society, (last four in plate).
Fort William: Envelope in plate for Communion Expenses, £5; Friend, Glasgow, Bus Fund £5; Miss G., Edinburgh, £5 per F.R. MacN.; Harris Friend, for Communion expenses, £5 per Rev. J.A. MacDonald; R.N., Inverness, for Sustentation Fund per J.A. MacDonald, £25.
Glasgow: Anon., £10; Anon., £10; S.J., A.M., R.P., £1.10, all for Jewish & Foreign Mission Fund; Anon., £5 for Bus Purchase Fund per J.P.D.; Anon., £25 for Bus Purchase Fund; Anon., £5 for Bus Expenses per W.D.F.; D.G., In loving memory, £100 for Sustentation Fund.
Kyle: Mrs S. MacL., Glasgow, £5 per Mrs F.M. Macleod; Inverness Friends, £10; Envelope in plate, £10, all for Kyle Manse Fund.
North Tolsta: Friend, £40; Friends of the Cause, £20; Friend, £3, all for Church Hall Expenses; In loving memory of my dear husband and son, £50 for Church Hall Expenses and £50 for Foreign Mission Fund, all per Rev. D. MacLean.
Portree: Anon., £10 for Communion Expenses; Anon., Jan., Feb., March 1979, £7 for Congr. Property Maintenance Fund, both in Church plate; Mrs MacP., £5 for Sust. Fund per F.M.; Anon., £5 for General Bdg. Fund (in Church plate); Friend, £5 for Manse Expenses per F.M.; Friend, Portree, £10 for Church Funds per Portree Book Shop.
Raasay: J.F., £20 for Sust. Fund; A.N., Balachullish, £20, in memory of a beloved sister, for Congr. Fund per H.D. MacKay; Friend, Portree, £10 for Church Funds per Portree Bookshop.
South Harris: Late Roderick Morrison, Strond, £50 for Strond Mission House.
Waterish: A Friend, £2 for Congr. Fund.