The Peripatetic Pope
During May the Pope visited six African countries and at the beginning of June is to visit France. No doubt the success of his earlier overseas visits has prompted him to continue a trend which has reaped such rich profits in world-wide publicity. He is no longer to remain immured within the walls of the Vatican, as was the way with earlier Popes. We can assume that his wanderings abroad are not aimless but in accordance with present day Vatican policy for the conquest of the nations of the world. Romanism, like Communism, is on the march. Both systems may find it convenient ultimately to submerge their differences so that by united effort they may achieve that world dominion which they both desire.
The saddest aspect of the present advance of Romanism and Communism is the failure of the Protestant Churches to stand against these evil systems. Dr Runcie, the new Archbishop of Canterbury was to meet the Pope in Ghana on May 9th “for greeting, private conversation and joint prayer”. This is indicative of the state of present day Protestantism. What need there is for strong opposition to these forces of darkness but, sad to say, the present Protestant leaders cannot give a lead in this as they have compromised their position. “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall raise up a standard against him.” This is our hope.
Since the above was written the Pope has announced that he hopes to visit England within the next two years — referring to England as ‘Mary’s dowry’. Such intentions true Protestants in England and throughout the rest of Great Britain will resist. Our prayer is that the Lord may graciously intervene and save our land from such a calamity as this.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has now received its independence and its new President and Prime Minister have been sworn in. The war which raged in that land has come to an end, and the country enjoys comparative peace. During the years of conflict and during the period leading up to independence much prayer was offered on behalf of that land and for the Church there. With the cessation of hostilities and a settled peace in the land, the need of prayer for that nation and for the Church there has not grown less. Only the restraining Hand of God can prevent further bloodshed in the future. Zimbabwe, along with all the nations of Africa — yes, and with all the nations of the other continents of the world as well — needs, above all else, the outpouring of the Spirit of grace and of supplications. No other means will prove adequate to the needs of that nation — no, nor for that matter, to the needs of all the nations of the world. Let this be our plea for Zimbabwe — a day of God’s power — in order that the people and leaders of that nation may be brought into subjection to Christ. Until that takes place only the Lord can preserve His Cause alive there.
Our hope and prayer is that, whatever changes may take place in the newly independent nation, they will not be to the detriment of the Church there but in the overruling providence of God, prove for its advancement.
Australian Church Withdraws from W.C.C.
The Presbyterian Church of Australia voted some little time ago to withdraw from the World Council of Churches. This was done on account of the W.C.C.’s programme to combat racism. The Presbyterian Church of Australia is a body composed of those who refused in 1977 to join a union of Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches. It would be gratifying if other Churches within the W.C.C. followed the example of the Presbyterian Church of Australia and abandoned this heterodox body which, at present, is such a support to Communistic endeavour for the conquest of the world. As an anti-christian organisation, just like the Church of Rome, the call of God to any within her pale who fear Him is: “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partaker of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Rev. 18:4.
Drug Smuggling
It is gratifying to read accounts in the Press of the success of the police and customs in combating illicit drug smuggling. It is reckoned that, in the last seven months, more than twelve and a half million pounds worth of cannabis has been seized in four different raids. The breaking of these smuggling rings has required a great deal of patient and persevering work by police and customs. The more damage that can be done to this illicit industry the better for the lives of the young in this country. It is to be hoped that the success of the police and customs will continue.
Murder of the Old and Unwanted
The murder of the old and unwanted in society, or euthanasia, as it has been euphemistically called, raises its ugly head from time to time. Sometimes it comes to light in court cases where persons have done away with an ill and suffering relative and plead that their act of murder was in the best interests of the patient. The practice of murdering the old and unwanted in society is not new. It was practised in former times in many pagan lands until through the coming of Christianity to these lands these evil practices were stamped out.
It is not altogether surprising, in view of the pagan state of our land, that there are those arising in the nation who advocate the re-introduction of these barbaric practices. Paganism spawned these abominable practices in the past, so it is not surprising that a re-surgence of paganism should spawn them again.
A Scottish committee has been formed for the legalising of euthanasia. In a “Scotsman” report a spokesman indicated that the society would be called EXIT — the Society for the Right to Die with Dignity. It was asserted that the word euthanasia was now so loaded with sinister implications that it was to be dropped. In its place the word “deliverance” was to be used, and the word “self-deliverance” for suicide, based on the message “Deliver us from evil” in the Lord’s Prayer.
What blatant blasphemy is in this abuse of the Lord’s Prayer. Men have reason to be afraid of divine judgments when they speak in this way, and lay to heart that “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”.
The advocacy of euthanasia, just as with that of present day abortion, is indicative, not only of gross disrespect for human life, but also that men have cast off the fear of God. What retribution will God meet out to guilty Britain when He takes to do with her for her national sins. When God will require of Britain — as He will require it — the blood of the slain infants and of the aged and infirm, as well as the blood of the slain in the streets, who then will stand before Him? May he in wrath remember mercy.