Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Western: At Laide on Tuesday 10th March at 11 a.m.
Northern: At Dingwall on Tuesday 14th April at 2.30 p.m.
Skye: At Portree on Tuesday 21st April at 11 a.m.
Committee Meetings (D.V.)
The following Committees will meet at Inverness Church:
Tuesday 24th March
9 a.m.—10 a.m. Church Extension.
10 a.m.—11 a.m. Church Magazines.
11 a.m.—12 noon Religion and Morals.
Sabbath Observance.
Welfare of Youth.
12 noon.—1 p.m. Publications.
1.30 p.m.—2.30 p.m. Training of Ministry.
2.30 p.m.—4.30 p.m. Finance.
7 p.m.—9 p.m. Jewish and Foreign Missions.
Wednesday 25th 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, 1981, (DV) for printing purposes. These Reports should contain information of the work of the Committees during the year. Recommendations and proposals should be sent up as separate items for the Synod Agenda.
(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, 9th April, 1981. (DV).
(Rev) Donald MacLean,
Clerk of Synod.
Protest re Pope’s Proposed Visit
Rt. Hon. George Younger, M.P.,
Secretary of State for Scotland,
New St. Andrew’s House,
EDINBURGH.
Dear Sir,
I am instructed by the Southern Presbytery to write to you to protest in the strongest terms at the proposed visit of the Pope to Britain and in particular to Scotland. Glasgow and Edinburgh have been mentioned as places likely to be visited and as both cities fall within the bounds of this Presbytery we feel we must make known to you our feelings on this matter.
The Presbytery feel duty bound to point out that our democratic institutions and many of the secular freedoms we enjoy are the fruits of the Reformation by which our land was delivered from Romish darkness. It is also worthy of note that the Westminster Confession of Faith, which has for over 300 years been the official subordinate standard of the Church of Scotland and which is secured in the constitution by the Act of Settlement and the Treaty of Union, says of the Pope: “There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ: nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church against Christ and all that is called God.” I need hardly add that the Confession referred to is based altogether on Scripture, the Bible as the Word of God.
No doubt many will regard this language and sentiment as out of date but let it be remembered that the present Pope has not retreated in a single step from the position held by any of his predecessors but makes the same extravagant claims as they did, styling himself, “Supreme Pontiff”, “Holy Father” and “Vicar of Christ” and openly averring that the salvation of all men is dependant upon submission to the Bishop of Rome. I need hardly remind you that still, in 1980, the Papacy claims to itself the power to free people from the lawful allegiance they owe to kings, queens, parliaments, etc.
Such spiritual and secular claims the Presbytery regards as blasphemous and utterly false and must by their very nature be obnoxious to all true Christians as being a denial of Christ’s Headship of His Church in all ages, of His Mediatorial Office and of “the faith once delivered to the saints.”
It is on such solemn and Scriptural grounds that the Presbytery bases its objections to the proposed visit of the Pope. We feel most strongly that to entertain this person would be a serious denial of the Protestant faith and a betrayal of our Reformed heritage and that that is the light in which it will be viewed by the R.C. Church. It is our fear that such a visit will cause the visitation of the wrath of God upon us as a nation and we urge you to use all the power and influence of your office to prevent it.
On behalf of the Presbytery.
Yours faithfully,
D. J. MacDonald,
Clerk of Southern Presbytery
Acknowledgment of Donations
The General Treasurer, Mr W.D. FRASER, 20, Daleview Avenue, Glasgow, G12 0HE acknowledges the following donations with sincere thanks:—
Sustentation Fund: F. Campbell, £15; Mrs MacKellar, Tarbert, Lochfyné, “In memory of my father, John Weir”, £100.
Home Mission Fund: F. Campbell, £5.
Home of Rest Fund: Mrs M. MacLennan, late of Lochcarron, now of Portree, £200.
Chesley Manse Fund: Anon., £20; A Friend, Glasgow postmark, £7; Psalm 72v19, Lairg postmark, £30; Interested Friend, Gairloch postmark, £5.
Trinitarian Bible Society: North Tolsta congr., £58.62; Glendale Congr., £55.50; Ness Congregation, £207; Raasay Congr., £12; Staffin Congr., £115; Duirinish Congr., £82; Vatten Sabbath School, £10.