Sabbath Trading
By the end of the year the Government intends to introduce legislation to remove all restrictions in England and Wales on “Sunday Trading”, as found in the Shops Act 1950. Should this take place it will undoubtedly prove detrimental to the whole nation, and it will worsen the already lax situation in Scotland by generating an increase in the trading already permissible there on the Lord’s Day. The solemn result will be the incurring of the just displeasure of the Most High and the bringing of further judgements on our nation; all which invariably follow Sabbath breaking.
What can you do personally to prevent this? First you must plead with the Most High, confessing our sins of Sabbath transgression, and asking that He raise up men and women in Parliament who would vigorously and successfully resist this further attack on the Lord’s Day. Secondly, you ought to write to the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary and your Member of Parliament stating your objections to the proposed new legislation. Thirdly, you may write to any political group or individuals whom you think might be influenced to retain the present laws; for example certain leaders of other political parties. Fourthly, you may write to the media, whether press, radio or television.
When writing, among other things, we suggest you emphasis the claims of the Fourth Commandment as the chief reason for restricting trading on the Lord’s Day. This reason, sadly, is all too often overlooked, even by many who are opposed to “Sunday Trading”. The Government makes much of the anomalies in the present law, but point out that some of these are due to laxity in the content and implementation of the Shops Act 1950. The solution is rather to increase restrictions, and to make these apply to the whole of the UK.
D. A. Ross,
Clerk,
Sabbath Observance Committee
Should you wish further information contact the Clerk at the Free Presbyterian Manse, Laide, (Telephone 044 582 340) or get in touch with the Convener, Rev. N. M. Ross, Free Presbyterian Manse, Ullapool, (Telephone 0854 2449).
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 3rd December at 12 Noon.
Isle of Skye: At Portree on 29th October at 11 am.
Western: At Lochinver on 5th November at 7 pm., for the ordination and induction of Rev. A. M. N. MacPhail, Probationer, to the Assynt Congregation. Rev. A. E. W. MacDonald, Moderator of Presbytery, to preach and preside.
Northern: At Dingwall on 22nd January at 2 pm.
Southern: At Glasgow on 12th November at 2 pm.
Post of Doctor at Mbuma Mission Hospital
The Committee feel concerned that no applications have been received for this important work on the Mission field, and with nursing staff at the hospital since May 1984 the work is being considerably curtailed in the absence of a doctor. The whole of the Nkai District with a population of 100,000 is presently without the services of any medical practitioner. In Mbuma itself there are some 22,000 persons so deprived.
Zimbabwe Mission — Post of Administrator/Treasurer
An immediate vacancy has arisen for this important post. The work covers our Mission’s financial operations along with the general administration of the activities in Zimbabwe and calls for a considerable degree of skill and dedication on the part of the successful applicant. Enquiries and applications for the post to Rev. A. Murray, Clerk to the Missions’ Committee, F.P. Manse, Lairg, Sutherland, IV27 4EH. (Tel:0549-2176).
Stirling Congregation
As from the beginning of October the Stirling Congregation services will be held in the Cambusbarron Community Centre, Cambusbarron, Stirling and will be as follows:-
Sabbath, 11.15 am and 6 pm.
Thursday, 7.30 pm Prayer Meeting
Theological Conference 1985
This year’s Conference will be held in St Jude’s FP Church, Glasgow on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th December, God willing.
The following papers will be read:-
Tuesday
2.30 pm — “The Call to the Ministry”
Rev. A. MacPherson, London.
7 pm — “The Urgency of the Work of the Ministry”
Rev. J. W. Ross, Lochcarron
Wednesday
10 am — “A Christian View of Psychology”
L. MacIver M.A., EdB., Stornoway
2.30 pm — “Towards 1988”
Rev. D. M. Boyd, Farr
7 pm — “The History and Theology of the Keswick Movement”
Roy M. Middleton, Barnoldswick
(This meeting will be in public).
All male communicants, office-bearers and ministers are eligible to attend the Conference and the Committee look forward to a good attendance.
Would all ministers kindly ascertain how many in their own congregations or in congregations of which they are Interim Moderator intend to attend the Conference and inform the Convener of the Training of the Ministry Committee as soon as possible as this would greatly facilitate the making of all necessary arrangements.
D. J. MacDonald
Convener.
Post of Graduate Teacher of English/History at Ingwenya
Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for this important post at the John Tallach Secondary School, Ingwenya, Zimbabwe. Employment will begin (DV) at the beginning of the next school session in January 1986. Enquiries etc. to Rev. A. Murray, F.P. Manse, LAIRG, Sutherland, IV27 4EH. Tel 0549-2176.