Freemasonry
A Church of England Report prepared as a discussion paper for this year’s General Assembly is the latest Church Report to come out against Freemason rituals. In 1985 the Methodist Church recommended that Methodists should not join Masonic lodges. The Church of England Report, drawn up after a two-year investigation by an inquiry panel, does not go so far as to recommend Church of England members to give up membership of Masonic Lodges, yet says that it found clear evidence that some Christians found the impact of Masonic rituals disturbing and a few perceived them as positively evil. The most serious theological objection which the inquiry panel found to Freemasonry was the term
Jaobulon, the name of God given to initiates of the fourth or Holy Royal Arch degree and which is composed of the names given to the deity in three different religions. The panel rejects the United Grand Lodge view that Masonic rituals contain no element of worship but think that craft Masonry represents typical 18th Century Deism.
It is good to see this cult of Freemasonry further exposed in this way for the evil that it is, an evil that has blighted many parishes in the Highlands of Scotland over a long period of time. Our own Church took a stand against it long ago by refusing Church privileges to Freemasons or members of other secret societies. It is of course a world wide organisation affecting the lives of many scattered throughout the world and giving many a false hope for eternity on the basis of a religion of good works. It is sad to think that the Duke of Kent occupies high office in Masonry as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. May the Lord be pleased to open his eyes to see the evil of it, and may others also ensnared by it be delivered in the kindness and mercy of God.
Methodist Conference and Gambling
A proposal is being put to the Methodist Church to relax its former firm stand against gambling. Up till now all forms of gambling were regarded as immoral but it is now proposed that raffles to raise money for charities may be acceptable. This is on the basis that not all forms of gambling have harmful consequences. No change will be made until the Church has opportunity to debate the matter. It is to be hoped that the Methodist Church will maintain its firm opposition to all forms of gambling on the ground of gambling being inherently evil in itself and not only on the ground of the consequences which follow it.
Relaxation of Licensing Laws
Mr Douglas Hurd, the Home Secretary, indicated that the Government was intending to bring in twelve hour opening of public houses. This would mean that they would be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Monday to Saturday while the Sabbath drinking laws would remain unchanged. The British Medical Association has warned that relaxation of these laws could increase the incidence of alcoholism. A spokesman for the Churches Council on Alcohol and Drugs said that there is no doubt that the degree of harm in any society is closely related to total consumption by any individual. The Home Secretary maintained that the Government’s plans would extend consumer choice and also create up to 50,000 new jobs.
It is sad to think that a Government newly elected to a third term in office would make the relaxation of licensing laws a priority in its legislative programme. The mushrooming of licensed premises has occurred even in small towns and communities. Instead of being given increased scope for what is to a large extent a trade destructive of spiritual moral and social values, they ought to be restricted so that the lives of countless families will not be ruined through the scourge of alcoholism. Why should the Government be a party to the breaking down of the moral fibre of the nation?
Moderator of Church of Scotland and Rome
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rev. Dr. Duncan Shaw, has been appointed a Commander of Merit of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta by the prince and grand master of the Roman Catholic order. This has no doubt been conferred to further the ecumenical movement and draw the Church of Scotland nearer to the Church of Rome. When Rome smiles on any one let that person beware. The honours that Rome bestows usually carry a curse with them. Pity the man, be he a Moderator or any other person whom the Roman Catholic Church delights to honour.
Earl of St. Andrews to marry a Roman Catholic
The engagement has been announced of the Earl of St. Andrews, the elder son of the Duke and Duchess of Kent to Miss Sylvana Tomaselli, a Canadian divorcee. Lord St. Andrews is presently seventeenth in line to the throne but by the Act of Settlement of 1701 he will be automatically excluded from the succession on his marriage.
The influence of the Roman Catholic Church on the Royal Family has been increasing in recent times and these marriages to Romanists bode ill for the Protestant Settlement of the Throne. Such persons, especially if dedicated Romanists can wield considerable influence within the Royal family. We would desire to see the influence of Rome reduced and not increased in the high stations of our land.
Divorce
A speaker at a Conference held by the National Council for Christian Standards in Society maintained that the Divorce Reform Act of 1969 had contributed to an increase in the instability of family life in Britain. He said that in the past 15 years the number of divorces had trebled, with divorce now becoming the legal norm. With the increase of instability in
family life rises have also followed in illegitimacy, abortion, children in care, juvenile crime and drug abuse. He declared that there is widespread misery with 50 per cent of second marriages also breaking down. The speaker, a lawyer specialising in divorce criticised the 1969 Act for changing the grounds of divorce from matrimonial misconduct to irretrievable breakdown of marriage. He maintained that there has to be a moral base upon which the stability of family life and of society depend.
It was all too evident at the time of the passing of the 1969 Divorce Reform Act that such would be the outcome of this particular piece of legislation but Parliament decided to legislate in a way that was perfectly in harmony with humanistic principles rather than on the basis of the law of God. The nation accordingly has suffered untold damage already and is likely to be even further injured in time to come so long as this Act remains on the Statute Book.
Muslims Protest Against Homosexual Lessons
Followers of the false prophet Mohammed had good reason to be angered by plans drawn up by the far left London Borough of Brent to promote positive images of homosexuality in its primary and secondary schools. What a sad reflection on a Christian land that Mohammedans should have cause to protest against a School Council promoting the vile sin of sodomy. How low has Christian Britain come when this is so. What need there is of national repentance lest there be divine retribution.