Zimbabwe Election Result
The General Election in Rhodesia has resulted in the election to power of Mr Robert Mugabe, one of the leaders of the Patriotic Front. Though himself a Marxist, Mr Mugabe has declared himself ready to form a broadly based government to rule the now legally recognised independent nation of Zimbabwe. In view of this it is likely that the country will return to a normal state of affairs in a very short time, and this should continue for the immediate future. What the more distant future holds for the nation may be a matter of some concern.
The question uppermost in the minds of the Christian Community in Rhodesia and especially in the minds of the people connected with our Mission in that Country will be — what will these changes in government mean for the Church in that land? We trust that Mr Mugabe will show wisdom and statesmanship in recognising that the Christians of the nation are one of its greatest assets, both for its stability and prosperity, and therefore refrain from persecuting them as other Marxist-led nations have done to their own impoverishment.
It is surely a time, in Zimbabwe, as elsewhere, for those who fear God to put their trust in the Lord for their preservation and for the advancement of the Lord’s Kingdom in the world. Has He not said: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness?” Is. 41:10
Corporal Punishment in Scottish Schools
Owing to a case brought before the European Commission of Human Rights by two Scottish mothers, by which they have sought a ruling that the use of the belt constitutes inhuman or a degrading treatment or punishment, it is thought likely that the Commission will find in their favour and require our Government to end the use of the belt in Scottish schools by next year.
This attitude to the use of corporal punishment in schools is perfectly in line with the permissive outlook that has been in vogue for some time. In view of the increasing indiscipline in Scottish Schools at present, this move to abolish corporal punishment can only aggravate an already serious situation. The need of salutary correction for wrong-doing has been recognised world wide even amongst those who did not have the Bible to give guidance on this. What folly then on the part of legislators or educationalists to abolish the means by which that correction can be administered!
Sabbath Court Sittings
It would appear that in the new Bail (Scotland) Act which comes into operation at the end of March allowance has been made for Courts to sit on Sabbath if necessary in exceptional circumstances to consider bail applications. A Scottish Office spokesman has said that this provision will rarely if ever be required. While this may be so it is regrettable that such a provision should ever have been included in this piece of legislation. The secularisation of the Lord’s Day is proceeding at a terrible pace and will bring its own judgments with it. It would be folly on the Government’s part to pass legislation which might in any way increase it. It is to be hoped that amending legislation can be passed to delete the part of the Act which permits these Courts to sit on the Lord’s Day even in exceptional circumstances.