This conference has been arranged as follows:
Venue The David Russel Hall, St. Andrews University, St. Andrews, Fife.
Dates Thursday 3rd April — Saturday 5th April (D.V.)
Cost Those attending will be asked to pay £6 each. It is hoped that the balance will be met by a grant from the Forsyth Bequest.
Chairman Rev. D.J. Macdonald, M.A., Perth
Speakers Rev. D. MacLean, Glasgow and Rev. John Brentnall, B.A.
Papers
1. The Necessity of Saving Faith — Rev. D.J. Macdonald, M.A.
2. Positive Christian Living — Rev. D.J. Macdonald, M.A.
3. Reformation Principles — Rev. D. MacLean
The programme will also include time for daily worship, bible study, group discussion, psalm singing and an open session when questions from conference members will be put to the panel. An afternoon visit to see the historic sights of St. Andrews will be conducted by Rev. J. Brentnall. Age Limit 16 years and over
Registration Please write as soon as possible enclosing cheque or Postal Order for £6 to Mr. W. MacKenzie, Dee Bank, 7 Crown Drive, Inverness. Joining instructions will (D.V.) be issued approximately one week before the conference.
Travel Arrangements It is recognised that some may have difficulty in returning home on the Saturday and to cater for any such two of the ministers taking part have offered to provide accommodation in their manses over the weekend where necessary.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Skye: At Portree on 5th February at 11 a.m.
Northern: At Kinlochbervie on 12th February at 5.30 p.m. and at 6.30 p.m. for Moderation in of Call.
Southern: At Glasgow on 19th February at 6 p.m.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 26th February at 11.30 a.m.
Western: At Laide on 4th March at 11 a.m.
Presbytery Tribute to the Late Rev. Donald A. MacFarlane M.A.
As a Presbytery we record with sorrow the removal by death of the Reverend Donald A. MacFarlane until recently the revered minister of our Dingwall and Beauly congregation for 43 years. Those who were acquainted with Mr. MacFarlane as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel and in the Church, and as a friend, feel a great sense of loss to the Church of Christ and sincere sorrow that such a godly and gracious witness to the Son of God and to the faith of God’s Word, is no more in our midst.
He was acquainted with trials and afflictions during his pilgrimage; albeit the Most High spared him to the ripe old age of 90 years, and in the appointed time brought him comfortably through the valley of the shadow of death to be with his Redeemer and Lord, and to the rest that remaineth to the people of God in heaven.
It was apparent to discerning Christians, favoured with his company and conversation, that Mr. MacFarlane was one acquainted with the deep things of God in his spiritual experience, although he himself took a humble place at his Master’s feet. His Christian character consistently signified that he was a man who feared the Lord greatly. To those capable of judging, he was endowed with no ordinary but with superior intellect and at times spontaneously revealed that he possessed a powerful memory.
His preaching was lively and in a manner all his own. It was full of Gospel truth to the exaltation of the crucified and risen Lord; and exhibited his clear exposition of and devotion to Biblical and Reformed theology. His expressed desire was that sinners on the broad way to destruction would be turned to the Saviour by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. He could on occasion expose and condemn erroneous teaching and superficial religion in an authoritative and most solemn manner. Yet he was outstandingly characterised by spiritual Christian and sincere charity and kindness towards his friends and all with whom he came in contact, the young as well as mature persons. And he was tender and sympathetic towards those in affliction of any kind. He possessed a goodly measure of the compassion exercised by the Lord Jesus as revealed in the Gospels.
As a man of prayer, he led those who heard him to the Throne of Grace, in the name of the Mediator, Jesus Christ, in a most solemn, gracious and earnest manner. He is now fully engaged in praising the God of his salvation in the company of the spirits of just men made perfect in Zion above.
Our sincere sympathy is extended to Mrs. MacFarlane, the widow who was to our late friend and brother minister, a helpmeet indeed, having lovingly and tenderly and in a most capable manner cared for his every need through the years till their being parted by death.
We also extend our sincere sympathy to all the other relatives. And may they and we be enabled to follow the Lord and also them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
“Help, Lord, because the godly man
doth daily fade away;
And from among the sons of men
the faithful do decay”
— Psalm 12:1
Apology — We regret the delay in the issuing of the January Magazine. This was due to the installing of new equipment at the Printers.