Queen to visit the Pope
Buckingham Palace has announced that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are to pay a state visit to Italy from October 14 to 17. The visit will include a call on the Pope at the Vatican. This will be the third visit by the Queen to the Pope, the first of these being while she was still Princess Elizabeth. While Roman Catholic Queens are dressed in white for an audience with the Pope, our Queen being Protestant will be required to dress in black penitential clothes.
These former visits by the Queen to the Pope of Rome, as well as the projected one if it takes place, are in violation of the solemn undertakings given by Her Majesty at her accession to the Throne and at her coronation and are resented by all loyal Protestants as being subversive of our Protestant Constitution. We pray that God may graciously intervene to prevent such a visit from taking place.
Alcoholism Among the Young
Alarming reports are coming out of the serious state of affairs among the young with regard to alcohol. The Scottish Council on Alcoholism suggests that school children from the age of nine or 10 should be taught the responsible use of alcohol. In some schools attention is already given to this matter in pointing out the dangers of drinking but not with any apparent success. It is evident that drinking begun at school-age is going to have serious effects before long in the life of the individual. This is true also with regard to the nation at large. The nation is bound to suffer serious consequences from this state of affairs.
It is plain that only a return to the Word of God and to the gospel of His grace by the people of the land will effect a real change in the moral state of the country. For this we should pray.
Glasgow District Council and Blasphemous Film
The Glasgow District Council’s Licensing Committee voted 9-4 in favour of screening a controversial film “The Life of Brian” regarded by many as an offensive parody on the life of Christ. It is regrettable that the Committee should have come to this decision which is completely at variance with the former noble motto of the city of Glasgow — “Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of the Word.” May the day speedily come when that motto will not only be restored but also honoured by Councillors and townspeople alike. At such a time the vile and obnoxious films presently being screened will have no place in the life of the city.
Church Notes
Divinity Students Received in Africa
It is gratifying to know that at meetings of Presbytery in October and December Mr Zororai Mozwabo and Mr Alfred Mpofu were received as divinity students. It is a token of the Lord’s favour towards His Cause in that country in view of the difficult circumstances in which the Church is placed. We pray that the students may be upheld and kept. The Presbytery asks the people of the Church to remember both our black and white students that they may be helped and granted strength of soul and body and mind to tackle their studies with diligence and dedication in this wicked and evil generation.
Barnoldswick Congregation
Despite some illness in the congregation, the services at the Barnoldswick communion season were well attended. Some friends from Edinburgh and Glasgow were able to be present and to join in the fellowship of this small group of Free Presbyterians in Lancashire.
Presbyterianism has fallen on evil days in England. Those who professed at one time to hold this Scriptural form of Church Government have been absorbed into the United Reformed Church, which raises no vital testimony on behalf of Christ and His Truth. The other churches professing Christianity, apart from the Anglicans, are of the Independent persuasion. It is, therefore, most encouraging to find this small group adhering to the word of God in doctrine, worship and government. It is also to be hoped that others may benefit from this witness so that other groups may be raised up, by the Divine blessing, to join in the reviving of Presbyterianism in England.
Work on the new Church building is expected to commence in February (DV). The purchase of such a suitable building in such a suitable place at the reasonable price of £10,000 is one of the many tokens of encouragement that the Lord has given them in Barnoldswick. Pews have now been purchased and transported to the new building. The congregation in Barnoldswick is small and in need of all the financial help which friends in the Church at large may feel led to give. Above all, they need the prayers of the people of God for that spiritual prosperity without which all else will be in vain.
D. McL., Glasgow.
The Congregational Treasurer to whom all donations should be sent is Mr C. Metcalf, 47 York Drive, Barnoldswick, Colne, Lancs.
Sabbath School Scheme and Teaching Aids
Ministers in the Church received information some time ago about the above, and were asked to communicate the information to Sabbath School teachers in their congregations. However the Working Party of the Welfare of Youth Committee thought it desirable that the information should be offered to those who might not be contacted in terms of this arrangement.
The Scheme of Work includes a suggested outline of areas to be covered in the course of a year’s teaching in a Sabbath School. It is hoped that, by the summer of this year, this scheme will have been developed so as to cover three years. Another matter which we would like to mention here is, the list of Sabbath School materials which we have drawn up. These items are intended as an aid in the teaching of Scripture truths to young people.
We are not limiting this appeal to those already involved in teaching Sabbath Schools. We would like to reach those also who might have the opportunity to begin a Sabbath School, or parents whose children do not have access to a Sabbath School, and who would value help in the instruction of their children. Anyone interested in the Scheme of Work is welcome to send for it, and in special circumstances the list of teaching aids would also be made available to those not involved in a Sabbath School but who would wish it sent to them. The funding of appropriate expenditure will be covered by a grant made available to the Welfare of Youth Committee from the Forsyth Bequest.
Anyone to whom the above might prove useful is asked to contact the secretary of the Working Party: Mr William MacKenzie, ‘Deebank’, 7 Crown Drive, Inverness (Tel: 31892).
John Tallach
Chairman, Working Party.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Western: At Laide on 4th March at 11 a.m.
Skye: At Portree on 8th April at 11 a.m.
Southern: At Glasgow on 8th April at 6 p.m.
Northern: At Dingwall on 15th April at 2.30 p.m.
Committee Meetings (D.V.)
The following Committees will meet at Inverness Church:
Tuesday, 25th March
9 a.m.-10 a.m. — Church Extension.
10 a.m.-11.30 a.m. — Church Magazines.
11.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. — Religion and Morals.
Sabbath Observance.
1.30 p.m.-2.30 p.m. — Training of Ministry.
2.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m. — Finance.
Publications.
4.30 p.m.-5.30 p.m. — Welfare of Youth.
7 p.m.-9 p.m. — Jewish and Foreign Missions.
Wednesday, 26th March
2.30 p.m.-4 p.m. — Dominions and Overseas.
Notice to Conveners/Clerks of Standing Committees
The Conveners/Clerks of all Standing Committees should note that all Committee Reports to the Synod must be in the hands of the Clerk of Synod by 31st March, 1980 (D.V.) for printing purposes.
(Rev.) Donald MacLean,
Clerk of Synod.
Notice re Synod Agenda
Clerks of Presbyteries, Conveners/Clerks of Committees, and all other interested parties should note that all items of business intended to be placed on the Synod Agenda must be in the hands of the Clerk of Synod by Thursday, 10th April, 1980 (D.V.).
(Rev.) Donald MacLean,
Clerk of Synod.
Offer by L.D.O.S.
The Lord’s Day Observance Society offers all the Ministers, Divinity Students, Elders and all interested parties of the Free Presbyterian Church the book “The Covenantal Sabbath” by Dr Francis Nigel Lee at the special offer of £1.00 which will include postage and packing. Orders should be sent to: The Lord’s Day Observance Society Inc., 47 Parish Lane, Penge, London SE20 7LU.
Acknowledgment of Donations
The General Treasurer, Mr W. D. Fraser, 20 Daleview Avenue, Glasgow. G12, acknowledges the following donations with sincere thanks:
Sustentation Fund: Mrs Ferguson, Carbost, £1 per D. MacL.
Jewish & Foreign Mission Fund: A. A. Berman, Holland, per W.C., £2.72; Portree Sabbath School, £120.62.
Dominions & Overseas Fund: Spanish Evangelical Mission, Holland, £1,128 for Mission work in Italy; Anon., £10 for Fede Viva; Winnipeg Friend, per Vancouver Treasurer, $300.00 for Italian Mission.
Trinitarian Bible Society: Raasay Congregation, £105; North Tolsta Congregation, £40.20; Staffin Congregation, £113.
Home of Rest Fund: Anon., Inverness, per Rev. A.F.M., £10.
The Publications Treasurer, Mr R. W. M. MacKenzie, Hilton of Cadboll, Fearn, acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations:
Free Distribution Fund: Anon., £8.60; M.M.C., South Harris, £5; Inverness Friends, £9.60; Mr Falconer, Larne, £4.50; London Congregation, £14.28.
Publications Fund: Uig Congregation, £20; Stornoway Congregation, £179; North Tolsta, £10; Stratherrick, Daviot and Tomatin Congregation, £33; London Congregation, £14.28; Inverness Congregation, £250.
Welfare of Youth Fund: Tain Congregation, £10; Fearn Congregation, £10; Ness Congregation, £5; Inverness Congregation, £150.
The Treasurers of the following Congregations acknowledge with sincere thanks the following donations:
Applecross: M.G., Arrina, £10 (Coll. Plate); A Friend, £10 (Coll. Plate); Mrs M.G., Inverness, £5; A Friend, Applecross, £10; Anon., £100, Friend, Alness, £8; both per Rev. A. Murray, all for Sustentation Fund; A Friend, Applecross, £5, for Jewish & Foreign Mission, also £5 for Home Mission; M.G., Arrina, £10, per Rev. A. Murray; S.J.F., Evanton, £3; Mr D.F., Applecross, £40, per Rev. A. Murray; last three for Congregational Purposes; Anon., £30, for Cuaig Meeting House Electricity; Friends, Alness, £7, per Rev. A. Murray for Congregational Purposes.
| Places | Ministers and Missionaries | Sustentation Fund | Home Mission Fund | Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund | Aged and Infirm Ministers, etc. Fund | College and Library Fund | Organisation Fund | General Building Fund | Dominions and Overseas Fund | TOTAL |
|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|
| NORTHERN PRESBYTERY | | | | | | | | | | |
| Aberdeen | Rev. J. M. Tallach | £1116.58 | £151.30 | £121.15 | £76.90 | £43.05 | £36.85 | £50.95 | | £1596.78 |
| Bonar Bridge | Mr D. M. Campbell | 700.50 | 70.00 | 80.00 | 32.00 | 25.00 | 15.00 | | £33.00 | 955.50 |
| Lairg | | 821.00 | 121.00 | 139.85 | 35.50 | 33.00 | 31.00 | 38.00 | 21.00 | 1240.35 |
| Beauly | Rev. D. B. MacLeod | 1420.87 | 146.00 | 404.06 | 150.00 | 43.80 | 36.15 | 65.00 | 66.70 | 2332.58 |
| Dingwall | | 1840.53 | 234.00 | 302.50 | 155.00 | 75.40 | 90.00 | 68.65 | 103.00 | 2869.08 |
| Dornoch | Mr D. M. MacLennan | 242.00 | 192.00 | 151.50 | 19.00 | 16.20 | 18.35 | 20.30 | 14.00 | 673.35 |
| Rogart | | 100.00 | 220.00 | 100.00 | 30.00 | 20.00 | 25.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 535.00 |
| Fearn | Rev. J. Ross | 1500.00 | 160.00 | 160.00 | 120.00 | 60.00 | 80.00 | 70.00 | 120.00 | 2270.00 |
| Tain | | 1493.00 | 182.00 | 204.00 | 254.00 | 66.00 | 66.00 | 75.00 | 82.00 | 2422.00 |
| Halkirk | Rev. D. A. MacLean | 968.33 | 63.00 | 87.00 | 36.00 | 22.00 | 16.00 | 18.00 | 15.00 | 1225.33 |
| Helmsdale | | 1024.56 | 73.00 | 68.00 | 41.00 | 20.00 | 12.00 | 37.00 | 10.00 | 1285.56 |
| Thurso | Rev. A. F. MacKay | 7100.00 | 1100.00 | 1700.00 | 500.00 | 400.00 | 500.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 12100.00 |
| Inverness | | 1223.95 | 206.00 | 286.50 | 40.35 | 35.00 | | 40.50 | 42.50 | 1874.80 |
| Kinlochbervie | | 337.25 | 70.00 | 66.00 | 20.70 | 20.80 | | 25.00 | 21.00 | 560.75 |
| Scourie | | 700.00 | 123.00 | 178.00 | 48.00 | 50.00 | 47.00 | 47.00 | 43.00 | 1236.00 |
| Daviot | | 409.00 | 122.00 | 127.00 | 53.00 | 46.00 | 43.00 | 37.00 | 50.00 | 887.00 |
| Tomatin | | 700.00 | 85.85 | 133.55 | 55.35 | 41.75 | 48.90 | 40.80 | 47.00 | 1153.20 |
| Stratherrick | | 46.00 | 250.00 | 88.00 | 40.10 | 36.00 | 40.00 | 39.00 | 38.50 | 577.60 |
| Strathy | Mr Jas. MacLeod | | | | | | | | | |
| Wick | Rev. R. R. Sinclair | 2300.00 | 205.21 | 333.90 | 121.28 | 111.90 | 65.00 | 91.88 | 81.50 | 3310.67 |
| | | £24043.57 | £3774.36 | £4731.01 | £1828.18 | £1165.90 | £1170.25 | £1184.08 | £1208.20 | £39105.55 |
| SOUTHERN PRESBYTERY | | | | | | | | | | |
| Dumbarton | Rev. J. M. Brentnall | £1605.00 | £126.00 | £162.50 | £55.00 | £45.00 | £38.50 | £46.50 | £45.00 | £2123.50 |
| Edinburgh | Rev. D. Campbell | 2770.00 | 266.32 | 453.00 | 123.80 | 104.50 | 107.50 | 108.50 | 155.00 | 4088.62 |
| Fort William | Rev. J. A. MacDonald | 1822.00 | 182.70 | 210.00 | 91.50 | 83.00 | 95.50 | 91.50 | 111.00 | 2687.20 |
| St Jude’s, Glasgow | Rev. D. MacLean | 7061.27 | 1038.15 | 1505.86 | 484.44 | 426.59 | 373.99 | 364.99 | 475.48 | 11730.77 |
| Dunoon | Rev. L. MacLeod | 250.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 280.00 |
| Greenock | | 1132.01 | 113.60 | 130.53 | 52.70 | 52.00 | 50.00 | 40.30 | 50.90 | 1622.04 |
| Kames | Mr D. MacPherson | 710.00 | 106.20 | 174.75 | 51.90 | 49.80 | 37.75 | 37.80 | 59.90 | 1228.10 |
| London | Rev. A. MacPherson | 1702.35 | 172.65 | 450.77 | 89.53 | 49.46 | 55.00 | 68.00 | 65.46 | 2653.22 |
| Oban | Rev. Angus Morrison | 520.00 | 84.00 | 119.15 | 36.75 | 54.52 | 45.35 | 43.05 | 53.70 | 956.52 |
| Stirling | | 158.00 | 78.00 | 93.00 | 6.00 | 17.00 | 5.00 | 8.00 | 11.00 | 376.00 |
| Dundee | Rev. D. J. MacDonald | 50.00 | 16.00 | 30.00 | 10.00 | | | | | 106.00 |
| Perth | | 245.50 | 60.00 | 69.00 | 36.00 | 4.00 | 24.00 | 15.00 | 25.00 | 478.50 |
| Barnoldswick | | 320.00 | 20.00 | 40.00 | 15.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 425.00 |
| Vancouver, Canada | Rev. D. Beattie | | | | 77.82 | | | | | 77.82 |
| Toronto, Canada | Rev. M. MacInnes | | | 83.49 | | 37.07 | | | 63.70 | 184.26 |
| Chesley, Canada | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | £18346.13 | £2268.62 | £3527.05 | £1135.44 | £922.94 | £847.59 | £838.64 | £1131.14 | £29017.55 |
| OUTER ISLES PRESBYTERY | | | | | | | | | | |
| Achmore | Rev. J. MacLeod | £287.00 | £45.00 | £45.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £527.00 |
| Stornoway | | 4200.40 | 459.90 | 760.55 | 234.50 | 238.30 | 196.60 | 232.10 | | 6322.35 |
| North Harris | Rev. A. MacKay | 1882.32 | 518.37 | 401.55 | 137.55 | 156.75 | 159.50 | 1.00 | 153.50 | 3228.94 |
| South Harris | Rev. D. MacLean | 1659.00 | 471.50 | 140.00 | 164.30 | 93.80 | 85.50 | 78.90 | 87.00 | 2780.00 |
| Ness, Lewis | Rev. W. MacLean | 1952.24 | 101.70 | 120.70 | 48.00 | 41.00 | 45.00 | 34.00 | 44.00 | 2386.64 |
| Uig, Lewis | Rev. D. A. MacLennan | 1400.00 | 65.00 | 60.00 | 30.00 | 30.00 | 25.00 | 50.00 | 25.00 | 1685.00 |
| | | £16283.75 | £2256.07 | £2345.90 | £852.00 | £522.00 | £707.15 | £586.80 | £741.20 | £24294.87 |
| WESTERN PRESBYTERY | | | | | | | | | | |
| Applecross | Rev. A. Murray | £815.50 | £195.00 | £202.00 | £41.92 | £33.96 | £17.10 | £23.15 | £42.61 | £1371.24 |
| Gairloch | Rev. A. Macdonald | 3215.61 | 387.15 | 147.52 | 111.75 | 118.78 | 96.37 | 106.45 | 117.30 | 4300.93 |
| Laide | | 1396.52 | 262.91 | 526.52 | 43.50 | 50.00 | 40.75 | 44.55 | 41.50 | 2406.25 |
| Kyle of Lochalsh | Mr J. D. Van Woerden | 899.90 | 103.60 | 88.86 | 42.16 | 38.95 | 34.45 | 33.45 | 38.00 | 1279.37 |
| Plockton | | 183.60 | 55.68 | 35.55 | 15.30 | 9.15 | 10.65 | 8.95 | 12.00 | 330.88 |
| Lochbroom | Rev. N. Ross | 1800.00 | 320.00 | 400.00 | 96.00 | 78.00 | 74.00 | 92.00 | 73.00 | 2933.00 |
| Lochcarron | Rev. J. W. Ross | 1410.00 | 150.00 | 270.00 | 35.00 | 35.00 | 35.00 | 40.00 | 50.00 | 2025.00 |
| Lochinver | Rev. A. Macaskill | 1104.51 | 193.50 | 380.00 | 77.00 | 53.00 | 70.00 | 50.00 | 75.00 | 2003.01 |
| Stoer & Drumbeg | | 1059.00 | 409.00 | 439.00 | 113.00 | 88.00 | 83.00 | 73.00 | 88.00 | 2352.00 |
| Shieldaig | Rev. D. M. Campbell | 1489.65 | 141.25 | 165.40 | 44.00 | 29.00 | 36.00 | 37.20 | 36.00 | 1978.50 |
| | | £13374.29 | £2218.09 | £2654.85 | £619.63 | £533.84 | £497.32 | £508.75 | £573.41 | £20980.18 |
| SKYE PRESBYTERY | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bracadale | | £1695.00 | £108.50 | £69.20 | £53.30 | £50.00 | £44.00 | £45.00 | £47.00 | £2112.00 |
| Strath | Rev. S. F. Tallach | 1878.50 | 203.50 | 253.00 | 56.00 | 47.00 | 52.50 | 53.00 | 60.30 | 2603.80 |
| Flashadder | Mr D. MacKay | 220.00 | 146.00 | 40.00 | 20.00 | 10.00 | 13.90 | | 18.10 | 468.00 |
| Glendale | | 697.50 | 90.00 | 83.00 | 10.50 | 10.50 | 57.50 | 34.00 | 42.60 | 1025.60 |
| Vatten | Rev. D. Nicolson | 672.50 | 106.00 | 106.00 | 32.20 | 34.00 | 34.00 | 32.00 | 34.40 | 1051.10 |
| Waternish | | 120.00 | 31.25 | 30.30 | 10.50 | 15.00 | 11.00 | 10.00 | 12.00 | 240.05 |
| Portree | Rev. F. Macdonald | 5116.74 | 1001.48 | 876.98 | 262.06 | 262.89 | 257.24 | 257.37 | 297.71 | 8332.47 |
| Rassay | | 1433.40 | 274.70 | 229.40 | 104.20 | 71.70 | 91.30 | 75.00 | 98.60 | 2378.30 |
| Staffin | Rev. J. Macdonald | 1903.30 | 145.05 | 176.30 | 60.45 | 55.00 | 63.15 | 58.75 | 65.75 | 2527.75 |
| | | £13736.94 | £2106.48 | £1864.18 | £609.21 | £556.09 | £624.59 | £565.12 | £676.46 | £20739.07 |
| AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND PRESBYTERY | | | | | | | | | | |
| Grafton, Australia | Rev. E. A. Rayner | | | | £77.70 | | | | £339.22 | £416.92 |
| Gisborne, New Zealand | Rev. J. Van Dorp | | £159.00 | | 115.58 | | | | 136.00 | 410.58 |
| Auckland, New Zealand | | | 145.07 | | 110.37 | | | | 60.78 | 316.22 |
| | | | £304.07 | | £303.65 | | | | £536.00 | £1143.72 |