LOYAL ADDRESS FOR 1991

To the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty. The Loyal and Dutiful Address of the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

We, the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, convened at Inverness this 22nd day of May, 1991, desire to express once again to Your Majesty the loyalty and goodwill which we bear to Your Majesty’s Person and Throne.

We rejoice that Your Majesty enjoys good health and is able to perform the many onerous duties that fall to you as Queen of this realm. It is also a matter for thankfulness that Your Majesty stands so high in the esteem of your people, holding as you do to standards of conduct which, though neglected by many today, nevertheless appeal to the hearts and consciences of the majority as becoming and right. It is also matter for gratification that Your Majesty habitually attends public worship on the Sabbath Day, and it is our earnest prayer that the vast numbers of your nominally Christian subjects who do not worship God publicly on His Holy Day, may be brought by the power of the Holy Spirit to regularly give homage as Your Majesty does, to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

As loyal, Christian subjects we, however, feel it is our duty to point out the inconsistency between Your Majesty’s profession of the Christian Faith and your attendance once again at the Commonwealth Day Observance service. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs worship other gods than the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who being God alone has commanded, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me”. We would respectfully urge Your Majesty, and Your Majesty’s heir, the Prince of Wales, to give no support to the multi-faith movement which is just another of the perversions of Christian truth so prevalent today.

Your Majesty has no more loyal subjects than those who believe in Christ alone for salvation, and seek to obey Him as their divine Lord. We humbly claim to belong to that number, and assure you of your continued prayers for the highest wellbeing of Your Majesty, Your Majesty’s Consort, and your family. We pray also that our beloved land may soon be visited by a notable outpouring of the Holy Spirit that would result in Your Majesty’s subjects returning as a people to the reverent appreciation of God’s Word, to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the keeping of His commandments. This above all things would minister to the peace and stability of Your Majesty’s realm.

On behalf of the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

(Rev.) D. A. Ross, Moderator.

The LOYAL ADDRESS for 1991 was now presented to the Synod by Rev. A. McPherson and the Synod passed it. Rev. A. F. MacKay spoke of the faithfulness of the Committee that had drawn up the address, in particular in that the attention of Her Majesty had been drawn to the wrongness of Her Majesty’s action in attending a multi-faith service.

The Welfare of Youth Report for the year was presented by Rev. D. A. Ross; the Training of Ministry Report was presented by Rev. D. J. MacDonald and the Ballifeary Home of Rest Report by the Clerk of Synod. In connection with the Report on the Leverburgh Home of Rest by the Rev. J. MacLeod, the Synod took note of the deficit in connection with the running of that Home. Rev. K. D. MacLeod informed the Synod that steps were being taken to get advice from the General Treasurer of the Church.

Rev. A. F. MacKay enquired as to whether there were any obligations laid upon our Church Homes in connection with the supplements paid by the DHSS. Rev. D. B. MacLeod replied that so long as the Homes were filled the DHSS would not interfere but Rev. A. F. MacKay replied that he had been informed to the contrary.

Rev. J. MacLeod stated that as far as the running of the Leverburgh Home was concerned everything was being done to make it as viable as possible. The Rev. D. MacLean gave in the Report of the Committee set up to investigate the situation in the Glasgow area for setting up a Home of Rest there. He stated that the Committee were looking for direction from the Synod as to the limit of money to be spent on such a Home.

Mr MacLean spoke of the cost being in the region of £800,000. Mr R. A. Campbell stated that the Committee had only looked at the viability of such a project chiefly. Mr R. Middleton thought that it would be foolish to spend nearly one million pounds in purchasing such a Home.

The discussion was concluded when Rev. D. M. Boyd stated that the issue would have to be dealt with by the Finance Committee. After the Rev. D. J. MacDonald presented the Outreach Committee Report, the Synod went into private. The Synod met again in the evening in public at 6.30 p.m.

The Religion and Morals Committee’s Report

The RELIGION AND MORALS COMMITTEE’S REPORT was presented by Rev. D. A. Ross. While the Synod on the whole were satisfied with the Report the Rev. D. J. MacDonald did not think the emphasis on the evil of alcoholism was strong enough. Rev. J. MacLeod warned that the European movement would have to be watched as it was going in the direction of Rome. The Synod moved on to consider the Resolutions prepared by the Committee which were as follows:—

Resolution re Action of Churches Together in Scotland

Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) is the latest product of the ecumenical movement. It aims at stimulating more contact among worshippers at all levels. Nine Churches are in full membership of the new organisation, including the Roman Catholic Church, which had only observer status in the former Scottish Churches Council. ACTS has a Central Council consisting of representatives of the participating Churches. It is significant that the Convener of this Central Council is the Roman Catholic Bishop Mario Conti. The headquarters of the new Movement is Scottish Churches House, Dunblane. This is a Conference and Retreat Centre, the Director of which is an Episcopalian, Rev. Dr Daniel O’Conner.

ACTS is described as “a movement which includes everything the Churches and Christian people do together in Scotland”, and as “a Central National Body to enable this wider pilgrimage and action together”. There is a plan to form Regional Ecumenical Teams throughout Scotland to give encouragement to ecumenical projects and generally foster an ecumenical spirit within each local community. Those supporting ACTS commit themselves to pray for the unity of all Christians in the spirit of the Pilgrim Prayer, which concludes: “We are strangers no longer but pilgrims together on the way to ‘your’ Kingdom”.

Taking these things into consideration and particularly, the active part taken by the Roman Catholic Church in this new Movement, the Synod views this recently constituted organisation as another device of the enemy of souls to deceive the hearts of the simple, and as a further attempt to bring the Churches of Scotland into union with, and under the yoke of, the anti-christian and apostate Church of Rome. The unity sought by this new organisation is a perversion of true unity, which is unity in the truth. The specious unity of the ecumenical movement is wholly deceptive and its promoters are blind leaders of the blind. The Synod, therefore, would warn people everywhere against being caught up with it and reminds any believers entangled with it of the exhortation of God’s Word: “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”.

Resolution re the Billy Graham Mission Scotland 1991 Crusade

The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met at Inverness, this 22nd day of May, 1991, desires to make clear what its position is vis-a-vis the Billy Graham MISSION SCOTLAND 1991 Crusade.

For the following reasons, among others, the Synod is unable to endorse the crusade or co-operate, in any way, with those responsible for promoting it.

1. Billy Graham’s theology is defective. Neither the man nor his message, in the Synod’s view, exalts Christ as the alone Saviour and His finished work as the only foundation upon which a totally lost and ruined sinner may build his or her hope of eternal salvation. Arminianism, in essence the “partitioning of salvation” between Christ and the sinner, is at the very heart of his teaching and patently underlies his call for a decision at the end of his meetings. To give sinners the impression that it is in their own power to believe the gospel and that regeneration and adoption into the family of God follow as a matter of course, is to teach and practise what is unscriptural and highly dishonouring to the Holy Spirit, whose work it is to quicken the spiritually dead and bring them to faith in Christ.
2. Billy Graham is instrumental in promoting the ecumenical movement. He collaborates with Papists, Modernists, Infidels and others opposed to the basic tenets of the Christian faith and is prepared to accept their plaudits. Dr Graham was, in the past, happy to be associated with such as Bishop Hugh Montefiore and Dr Leslie Weatherhead, men who wrote and expressed views of the Saviour which were blasphemous in the extreme. That the present Pope should, as reported in the Press, take him by the coat lapels and say to him, “Listen, we are brothers”, and that Dr Graham should be prepared to accept that as true, and, moreover, speak of the Roman Pontiff as “the world’s greatest evangelist”, indicate, the Synod fears, that he is devoid of spiritual discernment and confirms the view that he appears to be more interested in courting popularity than in faithfully upholding the Protestant faith.
3. The Crusade’s policy of sending those who make a decision at their meetings back to their own churches without giving any consideration to the soundness of these churches is, in the eyes of the Synod, tantamount to trafficking in souls of men. Members find it particularly deplorable that an arrangement is entered into with the anti-Christian Church of Rome, whereby not only those who belong to its lapsed membership are, on signing a decision card, sent back to its fold, but one third of all those who intimate to counsellors that they have no church attachment are also allocated to it.
4. The form of worship practised at Crusade meetings is, in the Synod’s view, unscriptural and, hence, God-dishonouring. This is especially true with regard to the use of soloists and choirs singing uninspired hymns, accompanied by instrumental music.

In adopting this attitude towards the Graham Crusade, the Synod recognises the fact that, among Scottish churches, the Free Presbyterian Church stands almost alone. This, however, is only to be expected in view of the unique testimony which it is called upon to maintain. In taking this stand the Synod believes that it has in view the glory of God and the eternal well-being of never-dying souls, who are in danger of being deceived and led astray by men who are perverting the Gospel of Christ. The Synod calls upon all within the bounds of the Free Presbyterian Church, and also any outwith its bounds who may be prepared to listen, to shun these services and instead betake themselves to the throne of grace to plead for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our beloved land.

Copies to: The Billy Graham Crusade Team, The Press.

Resolution re Multi-faith Services

The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, convened at Inverness on Wednesday, 22nd May 1991, expresses its concern over Her Majesty the Queen’s continued support of the multifaith worship in the annual Commonwealth Day observance ceremony in Westminster Abbey.

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God in human nature, is the unique Saviour, being Himself God. His revelation of God is unique, and He is the only way to God the Father, for He said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14: 6). His call to the nations of the world, including the Commonwealth nations, is: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45: 22).

Her Majesty’s spiritual advisers betray a serious lack of spiritual discernment in advising Her Majesty to support multifaith worship. We humbly and respectfully remind Her Majesty of the Lord’s words to the potentates of the earth: “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” (Psalm 2: 10-12).

Copies to Her Majesty the Queen; Church of Scotland; Church of England; Press.

Resolution re Homosexuality

The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, convened at Inverness on Wednesday, 22nd May 1991, reaffirms its unqualified opposition to, and abhorrence of, the vile and unnatural practices of sodomy and lesbianism, either within Church circles or without.

As a court of the Visible Church, the Synod make no apology for condemning those religious leaders, within the Church of England or elsewhere, who advocate the employment in the office of the holy ministry of persons who engage in these depraved practices. The Synod is absolutely convinced by the Word of God that such persons are totally unfit to occupy the holy office of the Christian ministry and that their involvement in the sins of sodomy or lesbianism, whether they admit it or not, can only further provoke the wrath of the Holy God of Eternity, Who declares in His Word, “Because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5: 6; Romans 1: 18-32).

As a Church we are resolved to pay heed to the God-given warnings of Scripture, believing that the plague of AIDS and its related illnesses are clear evidences of God’s abhorrence of these vile deeds in our society; and, therefore, our position must be in keeping with the Biblical injunction: “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” (Ephesians 5: 11, 12). Because a satanic conditioning process continues to mould social attitudes, so that even some professed evangelicals exercise a culpable tolerance toward homosexuality, we as a Church will continue, by God’s grace, to raise our voice and to make our position unequivocally clear.

Copies to Home Secretary; Church of Scotland; Church of England; Methodist Church; Press; Mrs Mary Whitehouse; CARE.

Resolution re Obscenity in the Media

The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, met at Inverness on Wednesday, 22nd May 1991, expresses its deep concern over the continued obscenities, moral filth, swearing, cursing, violence and low morality which are portrayed by television, video tapes, radio, and some sections of the press. While the Government has expressed its concern about this and has applied a degree of restriction, much has to be done yet before all that offends is eradicated.

We were pleased to hear the Home Secretary’s view that pornography has “an insidious and dehumanising effect on attitudes to women and family relationships”; but we are disturbed by a study carried out for the Home Office which suggests that there is no clear evidence linking pornography to sex crimes.

We would point out how irrational it is to think that the portrayal of immorality does not corrupt the mind. It is accepted that advertising, for example, influences many to buy the product advertised. We do therefore believe that viewing violence, watching pornography, and listening to swearing, will have a pernicious effect on those who watch and listen.

Children are susceptible to evil as to good, and if the broadcasting of obscenity does not corrupt the mind what is the purpose of attempting to instil moral standards in our children? The fact is that a child’s upbringing, of whatever sort, shapes him for the future. We are sure that exposing children and young people to the portrayal of immorality will influence them in that direction.

It may be that adults are not as readily influenced by these obscenities as young people are, but we object strongly to the view that adults, by reason of their age, have some inherent right to view and read what is obscene. The end result of this conduct is that many will be influenced, more or less, to think, speak and, in some cases, even to practise the obscenities to which they have been exposed. Our final authority, the Word of God, assures us that “evil communications corrupt good manners.”

We urge the Government therefore to take firmer steps to suppress obscene programmes, publications and videos. We are convinced that such action on the part of the Government will go a long way towards decreasing the incidence of crime in the nation, much of which is encouraged, we believe, by watching, hearing and reading what is contrary to, and subversive of, that moral rectitude which God requires.

Copies to: Home Secretary; Dept. Supt. Michael Hames; Press; BBC Complaints Dept.

Resolution re TV Series for Homosexuals

The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met at Inverness on Wednesday 22nd May 1991, expresses its strong opposition to the planned showing by the BBC of a series of homosexuality programmes in the autumn.

Yet again we point out that marriage between husband and wife has been ordained by God, but that homosexuality is contrary to the Word of God, horribly unnatural, disgusting and vile. We are assured by the Scriptures that the wrath of God comes on nations and individuals because of this evil practice; the history of Sodom and Gomorrah and now the plague of Aids are clear evidences of this fact.

Some of the evils which result from this great sin are unhappiness, disease, blackmail, and the break up of stable marriages. It has a corrupting influence on society, leading those who were once free from homosexual inclinations to believe that a homosexual lifestyle should be developed.

Television can be a powerful influence for good. It is deplorable that it would be abused and turned into a powerful influence for evil by transmitting such programmes. We therefore ask the BBC to abandon this proposed series, which if transmitted will prove detrimental to society, and will bring wrath of Almighty God on the land.

Copies to: the Home Secretary; Complaints Department; BBC Television Centre, London W12 7RJ; Press; National VALA.

Resolution re Single Mother Artificial Conception

The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, convened at Inverness on Wednesday, 22nd May 1991, condemns the practice of giving deliberate medical assistance to a single woman to conceive a child. By no stretch of reasoning can a single woman be considered to be suffering from infertility requiring medical treatment, especially when the unnatural intention of the mother is that the child should have no father.

The infertility service is being discredited by the evident lack of moral standards among those in control of it. A.I.D. was condemned by this Synod in 1959 as a violation of the seventh commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery”, and recommended that A.I.D. should be a criminal offence. Since then, with the widespread use of contraceptives, the moral decline of the 1960s, the Abortion Act 1967, and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, we have seen an accelerating disregard for the value of each individual human life.

We repeat our call for the abolition of the Abortion Act 1967 and a moratorium on human embryo experimentation so that a reassessment of the I.V.F. programme and infertility services can be made in a healthier moral climate which respects each individual human life.

Copies to: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; Royal College of Midwives; Royal College of Nursing; British Medical Association (Ethics Committee); Home Office; Health Secretary; Scottish Office; Press; Lord Chancellor.

Resolution re Gulf War

The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, convened at Inverness on Wednesday, 22nd May 1991, thankfully records the kindness of the Most High God in preserving the lives of so many of our soldiers, sailors and airmen, as well as the lives of so many civilians, while the liberation of Kuwait was secured from tyrannical annexation in the recent Gulf War.

We continue to pray for the peace of all nations through gospel submission to the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the King of nations as well as the King of the Church (Jeremiah 10: 7). Therefore we call on all Governments to submit to, and support, the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which brings spiritual liberty and peace to individuals and nations. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2: 14); “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28: 18-19).

Copies to Prime Minister; Press.

Resolution re Corporal Punishment and Parental Discipline

The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, convened at Inverness on Wednesday, 22nd May 1991, supports the view that parents should be made more aware of their responsibilities for the behaviour of their children in society.

While the responsibility of parents towards their children is being highlighted by the Government’s response to the appalling divorce rate with its evil consequences upon affected children, society is further realising the need of parents to bear more responsibility for their children’s behaviour. Parental authority, the corollary of such responsibility, requires the use of sanctions, and the Scriptures concur that corporal punishment is a valid form of parental discipline when used at the correct time, with due restraint. Arguments against its misuse or abuse, highlighted by such pressure groups as EPOCH (End Physical Punishment of Children), by the “National No Spanking Week” campaign, and by the recent Discussion Paper, No 88, drawn up by the Scottish Law Commission, do not detract from its legitimate place. The recent campaign by EPOCH is ill-conceived and its ideals are far removed from reality; for example, the abolition of corporal punishment in the class-room has been attended by widespread disruption. To remove the defence in law of reasonable chastisement from parents, guardians and others having custody or control of a child or young person is certain to leave a legacy of ill-disciplined young people, and it is an unacceptable price to pay to sacrifice so many young lives upon the altar of humanistic ideology.

Scripture sets before us the manner of loving nurture of children, which includes admonition and the rod of correction when admonition fails. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6: 4). “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” (Proverbs 13: 24). “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” (Hebrews 12: 6-8).

Parental responsibilities and rights are not conferred by the state; they are conferred by God. The state may define and regulate them according to the Word of God, but to do otherwise is to trespass upon an area of liberty that goes to the very heart of society.

We are worried by the violence done to the bodies and minds of young people who view adult-classified videos through the absence of parental control. The Government and responsible bodies should do all in their power to bring about a ban upon the sale and distribution of pornographic and violent videos, and parents should be made responsible for the video material that is shown in their homes to children.

Copies to Home Secretary; Scottish Office; Scottish Law Commissions; Law Commission; Church of Scotland; Church of England; Mrs Mary Whitehouse (National VALA); EPOCH; CARE; Press.

In connection with the Resolution re the Multi-Faith Service, Rev. A. F. MacKay gave it as his opinion that this Resolution should not be sent to Her Majesty the Queen as the matter was already raised in the Loyal Address. Some members of the Synod shared this view but the majority were of the contrary view and so the Synod decided to send a copy of it to Her Majesty the Queen.

In connection with the Resolution re Single Mother Artificial Conception Rev. D. M. Boyd observed that this was yet another evidence that morality has broken down and he noted that the Synod’s Resolution of 1969 set the proper moral tone when it recommended that A.I.D. should be a criminal offence.

Rev. F. MacDonald now moved the following motion in connection with a day of Prayer. He stated “The call for a Day of Prayer is, at least, in part, occasioned by the wide ranging issues set before us tonight. The Resolutions are drawn up and circulated to the offending parties, indicating not only our deep concern but our determination to take what steps we can to expose, and at the same time seek to repress the wrongs of our corrupt and corrupting society. What is specially before my mind is the deliterious effect of legislation which adapts itself to the carnal tastes of men. This is the corruption of the fountain, rather than the streams, and is very serious indeed. Along then with the remedial measures we suggest and seek to implement we have recourse to the best weapon of all — Prayer. Therefore I beg to move that Wednesday, 11th December 1991 or Thursday 12th December 1991 be observed as a Day of Humiliation and prayer to confess our national and personal guilt and pray for the outpouring of the Divine Spirit as the only solution for the crises and problems of the age.”

Rev. D. A. Ross submitted his report on the situation in Eastern Europe. At this stage the Rev. A. McPherson rose to speak about the danger of dissipating our energies, being such a small body but he was informed that the matter would be discussed at a later meeting of Synod. The Synod did take up the matter at a later meeting in private and it was agreed that henceforth matters concerning Eastern Europe would be dealt with by the Dominions and Overseas Committee and that there would be a separate Fund for Eastern Europe to which people could contribute and leaving the Dominions and Overseas Fund for the sole use of the Dominions.

The Report of the Sabbath Observance Committee was presented by Rev Neil Ross. Rev. K. D. MacLeod noted that some success had been achieved in connection with the proposed Sabbath Caledonian MacBrayne ferries.

The Financial Report was given in by Rev. A. E. W. MacDonald while the accounts were presented and commented on by Mr R. A. Campbell. A motion of thanks to the General Treasurer and to the Auditors was passed by the Synod. The Synod then moved into private session.

At the private session of Synod, the Synod resolved to accept a recommendation from the Australian and New Zealand Presbytery in connection with a certain Rev. G. Bancroft who had applied to be admitted into the Church as a minister of the Church. The recommendation was that Mr Bancroft be allowed to preach in the church during the next year and then at the next Synod, the Synod decide as to his application. The Synod agreed that Mr Bancroft be heard by all the ministers of the Church. After discussion with Mr Bancroft it was agreed that he stay in this country for three months at present and then return to be under the supervision of our ministers in the Australian and New Zealand Presbytery for a period of six months before returning here for a further three months prior to the meeting of Synod next year. Deacons Courts will be responsible for the travelling expenses involved in bringing Mr Bancroft to their respective places.

Another matter discussed at the private session of Synod was the tendered resignation of the Church’s General Treasurer, Mr Donald MacDonald. Mr MacDonald had sought to combine the work of the General Treasurer with his own engagements as a banker and had found it too much. The Synod agreed to accept the resignation and to thank Mr MacDonald for his services rendered and his help given at a juncture when the church was in great need.

The Finance Committee recommended to the Synod that they appoint Mr R. A. Campbell an Executive Officer with the Inland Revenue, resident in Glasgow, and an elder of the St. Jude’s Congregation. The Synod agreed to this and appointed Mr Campbell to be General Treasurer of the Church with effect from 1st July 1991 and noted their appreciation of Mr Campbell’s willingness to relinquish his very high place in the Inland Revenue Department. The Synod sought for him the blessing of the Lord in the work of the Lord.

Changes Authorised at Private Session of Synod

At this private session of Synod it was agreed that the following changes be authorised:

1. Shieldaig and Applecross joined to form one congregation;
2. Bracadale and Broadford joined to form one congregation;
3. Laig, Bonar, Dornoch, Rogart, Helmsdale, Tain and Fearn joined to form one congregation;
4. Dundee, Perth and Stirling joined to form one extension charge.

The Synod met again in public at 3 pm on Thursday 23 May 1991. Reports in connection with the Church’s Free Presbyterian Magazine and The Young People’s Magazine were adopted by the Synod and the Editors were thanked for their work. The matter of joining the Proceedings of Synod with the Reports was discussed but no decision was arrived at.

The Publication Committee Report was presented by Rev. D. B. MacLeod and the Bookroom Committee Report by the Rev. D. J. MacDonald. In connection with this report Rev. D. J. MacDonald stated that he had received a letter from one as far away as in Singapore stating appreciation of the publication of the Westminster Confession of Faith. Mr MacDonald also remarked that the hand of the Most High should be acknowledged in the recovery of the book Manager to a good state of health.

The Centenary Committee report was given in by Rev. D. B. MacLeod. The Clerk of Synod then read letters of acknowledgment as follows:

1. From Mrs MacLachlan, Glasgow acknowledging the Synod’s Tribute to her late husband.
2. From Mrs MacLean, Port of Ness, acknowledging the Synod’s Tribute to her late husband.
3. Letter of acknowledgment of donation to Ockenden Venture. The Synod agreed to repeat the donation of £500.
4. Letter of acknowledgment of donation from Reformation Translation Fellowship. The Synod agreed to give £400 from the China Fund.
5. A second letter from the Reformation Translation Fellowship indicating that the Fellowship were engaged in publishing in Chinese, the Shorter Catechism.
6. A letter from CARE acknowledging donation. After discussion it was agreed not to give a donation this year.
7. A letter of acknowledgment from the Lord’s Day Observance Society, London. It was agreed to give £500.
8. A letter of acknowledgment from Christian Witness to Israel. It was agreed to give £750 from the Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund.
9. A letter of acknowledgment from the Russian Reformation Foundation for donation of £500. This was for a specific project so was not repeated.
10. A letter from the Trinitarian Bible Society acknowledging the £500 given last year for Russian Bibles and asking the Clerk of Synod to pass on thanks to the individual congregations of the Church for their continued support.

Rev. D. MacLean suggested that some of the letters could go into the pages of the Church’s magazine.

Synod Tributes

The following Tributes were agreed upon by the Synod.

The late Donald MacAskill, Elder, Portnalong.

The late Donald MacAskill, elder, Portnalong, was for many years a worthy member of this Venerable court. He did not frequently participate with eloquence in debate or discussion, but when occasion demanded it, speak he did, and that with authority and integrity. His contribution to the Court was possibly of a higher order than that of many others. Who can calculate the value of his earnest fervent prayers for the purity and prosperity of Sion among us or assess how much these prayers contributed to steering our discussion in the right direction. His love for and loyalty to the noble witness of the Free Presbyterian Church never faltered. Alike in adversity and prosperity, he was a genuine friend and willing servant of our Cause. Men of his stamp are rare indeed. He evidently lived for Christ and His Cause. We cannot but pray, ‘Help Lord, because the godly man doth daily fade away.’

In presenting this Tribute Rev. F. MacDonald observed that Donald MacAskill’s name was synonymous with godliness in the parish.

Tribute to the Rev. B. B. Dube

On 5th February, 1991, aged 58, and after a short illness, the Rev. B. B. Dube passed away, to be forever with his Lord. Bekithemba Dube’s mother was a godly woman and he was brought up in a Christian atmosphere. This continued as he passed through our schools at Zenka and Ingwenga. However it was not until he was at Mbuma at the teacher training college there and under the preaching of the late Rev. James Fraser that he was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth. He taught at Zenka until his call to the ministry in 1978. Zenka has a large population and the Mission station has several outstations reached only over difficult roads. Mr Dube was pastor to this substantial though scattered flock for 13 years. From his home in Zenka he was called to assist at communions, deputise in Malawi/Kenya, and represent the Presbytery in Scotland. In all his labours Mr Dube showed himself an earnest and zealous preacher of the word. It was ever the aim of our missionary work in Zimbabwe to establish an indigenous church. We pray that the Lord who gave and who has now taken away and whose name is blessed still will raise up pastors after His own heart who will feed His sheep.

To Mrs Dube and the family we extend our sympathy and hope that the consolations of the word will be theirs.

Synod Tribute to the late Dr. Roderick Kenneth MacCuish, Elder, London.

The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, convened at Inverness this 23rd day of May 1991, would place on record its sense of profound loss at the death on the 2nd January 1991 of Dr. R. K. MacCuish, a member of this court on many occasions.

Born in Shieldaig on the 20th June, 1919, he graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University in the early years of the Second World War. From 1943 to 1946 he served as a doctor with the 1st Tank Regiment. His medical career took him to Bolton, Southampton, Newcastle and finally to St. Luke’s Hospital, Bradford, where he became Consultant Geriatrician in 1958.

Whilst in Southampton he went frequently to London with the dual purpose of attending the lectures that led to his becoming a Member of the Royal College of Physicians, and attending on the ministry of the Rev. J. P. MacQueen, whom he held in high regard. In the early seventies, as a consequence of his work in Bradford, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.

Though his perception of spiritual change was gradual, two sermons appear to have had a decisive effect. One was by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, contained in Volume 34 of the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, from the text in Romans 5: 20, “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”. The other was a sermon delivered at a Communion by the Rev. Lachlan MacLeod, Greenock, while he was Interim Moderator of the London Congregation, on Song of Solomon 1: 4, “Draw me, we will run after thee.”

Dr MacCuish became a communicant on the 21st April, 1973, and was made an elder of the London Congregation on the 20th March, 1977. He was appointed an Assessor Elder of both the Barnoldswick and Larne Congregations at the time of their reception into the Church. He had a major influence on the Barnoldswick congregation in its growing appreciation of the witness of the Free Presbyterian Church. He was a loyal and zealous defender of the principles of the Free Presbyterian Church, and took an intense interest in the events leading up to the separation of 1989. Dr MacCuish regarded that separation as Divine intervention on behalf of his Church, and a delivering of the Free Presbyterian Church from forces that were taking it away from its historic moorings and the witness raised for truth in 1893.

Dr MacCuish was a most acceptable speaker, and for the last thirteen years conducted the Sabbath morning service in the Barnoldswick Congregation. He is sorely missed, especially in the two English Congregations. It is with sorrow that this Court records the passing of a man of this stamp from our midst. Our prayer is that God would raise up others of the same calibre to stand in the breach and adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour. To his widow and their family the Synod extend their prayerful and deepest sympathy.

The late Mr Duncan MacLeod, Elder, South Harris

The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met at Inverness this 23rd day of May 1991 wish to record their sorrow over the death on the 11th of this month of Mr Duncan MacLeod, Leverburgh, where he served as an elder from 1971. He belonged to the small island of Bernaray, Harris, where, it is interesting to note, his grandmother followed the newly formed Free Presbyterian Church in 1893. However, because so few others were of the same mind and because of supply difficulties she had to resume worshipping in the Free Church. Duncan MacLeod left home for service at sea during World War II a strong healthy man, but the severe hardships he experienced as a prisoner of war in North Africa left his health seriously impaired for the rest of his days. However, it was during this time that he was awakened to a knowledge of his sinful state before God. He was brought to the liberty of the gospel under a sermon from the text “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

It was after coming to work in Inverness that he found the Free Presbyterian Church. When he was received by the Inverness Kirk Session in 1954 by disjunction certificate from the Church of Scotland he explained that he and his wife had attended a number of churches in the town but had not been satisfied with what they had heard. He was ordained to the eldership in 1959 and served as an elder while he lived in Stornoway also.

He was always willing to take services when necessary until failing health took its toll. He had a marked gift for leading the praise as a Gaelic precentor. He was particularly appreciated for the conscientious way he went about congregational visitation.

At a time when we are painfully conscious of the blanks left when God’s children are removed to glory we ought to cry to the Lord: “Revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” Hab. 3: 2.

The Synod would extend its sympathy to his surviving brother and other members of the family.

The late John Campbell, Elder, Auckland

The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met at Inverness this 23rd day of May 1991, desires to place on record its sincere sense of sorrow and loss occasioned by the death of Mr John Campbell, Elder, Auckland, New Zealand.

John Campbell was born in Ness in 1927 and passed away in Auckland on 25th November 1990. It was as a seaman that he first came to New Zealand and made the acquaintance of our people there. In later years, he, for some time, worked ashore and became well known in both the Gisborne and Auckland congregations. It was, however, in Ness, after Rev. William MacLean’s resumption of his ministry there, that he made first a public profession. This was in 1976. Not long afterwards he was elected and ordained as a Deacon.

In 1980 he emigrated to New Zealand with his wife and children and set up home in Auckland. Some years before his death he was ordained to the eldership in that congregation and was present as a representative elder at the 1989 meeting of Synod. His attachment to the Church on that occasion and at all times was unwavering.

The Synod would express its sympathy with his like-minded wife, his son and two daughters and commends them to the Father of mercies and the God of all grace.

The Synod then went into private session. In the evening the Synod met again in public at 6.30 p.m.

Rev. J. MacLeod presented the Jewish and Foreign Mission Committee’s Report. He informed the Synod that Miss MacCuish was going out to teach for a period of three months and that Mr Murray was returning to Zimbabwe to be stationed in Bulawayo and work in the Binga area. He referred to his day in Holland at the Mbuma Zending Meeting when over seven thousand persons assembled and the collection on that one day reached the figure of £70,000.

He then introduced to the Synod the friends of the Mbuma Zending Committee Rev. T. J. de Jong, Mr H. van Vliet and Mr Viers who were welcomed to the Synod by the Moderator. Rev. de Jong addressed the Synod thus: “We are glad to be here and that God has in providence given us this opportunity to meet with you and He is giving us the heart to do for the Mission whatever we are doing. It is not of ourselves. We are tools in His hand. We do what we can do and pray to the Lord that He will bless the efforts through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is of the One Spirit who is the Spirit of the Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is using human beings. We regret the passing away of Rev. B. B. Dube whom we met last year in Holland. We are not praying enough. We bring a good sum of money but it is prayer that is needed and if we are not praying we are to blame that ministers are not provided for the promise is: ‘He shall see of the travail of His soul.’ Isaiah chap 53. Blood theology will be blamed for lack of success but this blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is precious to us who have true faith. We see your land — it is lovely; we see your buildings; we see something of your church history; we see the place where Mr MacDonald was preaching in 1893 but what we think of is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Moderator of the Synod thanked Mr de Jong for his address and agreed that what we need is prayer for the “effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much.”

The Rev. D. B. MacLeod then presented the following Mission Reports:— Ingwenya, Zenka, New Canaan, Bulawayo, Kenya and Malawi together with his Report as a Deputy to Zimbabwe. In doing this Mr MacLeod said “Mr de Jong has referred to the blood that was shed in Scotland to maintain the testimony of Truth in the land. But not only in Scotland was the testimony to be known but from Scotland the gospel was to go forth to other lands.”

Mr MacLeod referring to his visit drew the attention of the Synod to the condition of the Mozambiquans who were living as refugees in Malawi but would probably soon be returning to their own land and had indicated the desire that they would hear the truth again.

Mr MacLeod informed the Synod that in Malawi there had been over registration of churches to such a degree that the authorities had closed the door against any further registration of churches. He called upon all to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into the harvest.

The Rev. J. MacLeod presented the following reports — The John Tallach Secondary School Report; The Building and Transport Report and the Report of the Zimbabwe Mission Treasurer. Mr MacLeod informed the Synod that Mr Vermeulen was at present in New Zealand but that he hoped to return to the Mission Field. Mr Neil Murray presented the Mbuma Church Report and the Mbuma Mission Hospital Report. He referred to his visit to Binga and indicated that the people there were giving a good reception to the Missionaries.

THE ZIMBABWE MISSION ACCOUNTS were laid before the Synod and Rev. A. MacDonald observed the qualified nature of the accountant’s docquet. Dr Tallach sought to explain the matter by referring to previous auditor’s reports always having a similar strain but the Synod did not accept the explanation and only moved the adoption of the accounts with a proviso that the Foreign Mission Committee would look further into the matter.

The Synod now moved on to consider the work done in the Dominions and Overseas. Rev. D. B. MacLeod presented the Report of the Committee overseeing the work of the Dominions and Overseas. He referred to the many signs of dissatisfaction among the members of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia.

Rev. D. MacLean gave in his report his visit to Canada. He referred to the visit he made years ago when the Toronto Church joined with the Free Presbyterian Church and there seemed then to be a euphoria among the people but events had shown how superficial this euphoria was for these same people made it clear that they did not appreciate the stand of our Church. With the exception of Mr and Mrs Scambler the congregation had proved unfaithful. On the other hand the Chesley congregation had remained firm although they had passed through a very painful experience. Mr MacLean said that he welcomed the fact and the Synod welcomed the fact that this congregation stood faithful on the side of truth.

Mr Schuit replied for the Chesley congregation and expressed the hope that the Lord would keep them faithful. He spoke of the attachment the people of the Chesley congregation have to the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Mr Schuit further observed that there was in Vancouver some who remained faithful to the Church. Their strength is in God the Lord. Mr Schuit hoped that there would be a visit by deputies to encourage the Church in Canada.

Reference was made then by Rev. J. MacLeod to Mr John MacLeod of the Vancouver congregation and to whom the Church owed a great deal for his action to hold church property there. Rev. D. B. MacLeod thanked the deputies and hoped that members of Synod would take heed to the words of Mr Schuit.

The Moderator of Synod thanked the Inverness minister and the Inverness congregation for the use of the church and the provision made for members of Synod and the Synod continued to meet in private.

Committees for the Year

At this meeting Committees for the year were appointed as follows:
FINANCE: Revs. D. MacLean, J. Tallach, J. MacLeod and A. Mac-Donald, Convener, with Messrs I. MacLean, I Macrae, R. Middleton, R. Annand, D. MacKenzie and W. MacLeod. General Treasurer to act as Clerk.

RELIGION AND MORALS: Revs. D. Boyd, G. Hutton, D. A. Ross, Convener and K. MacLeod with Messrs A. Gillies, K. Gillies, D. McSween and J. MacAskill.

DOMINIONS AND OVERSEAS: Rev. D. B. MacLeod, Convener, L. MacLeod, A. MacKay, D. A. Ross and J. MacLeod with R. Ross.

JEWISH AND FOREIGN MISSION: Revs. D. B. MacLeod, D. A. Ross, J. Tallach and J. MacLeod, Convener, with Mr I. MacLeod.

TRAINING OF MINISTRY: Rev. D. B. MacLeod, A. MacDonald, F. MacDonald and D. J. MacDonald, Convener, with Messrs D. R. McSween, A. McPherson and A. Gillies.

MAGAZINE: Clerks of Synod and Clerks of Home Presbyteries, Rev. N. Ross, Convener.

PUBLICATIONS: Revs. D. B. MacLeod, Convener, N. Ross and K. MacLeod with Mr R. Middleton and Manager of Bookroom associated.

WELFARE OF YOUTH: Revs. D. Boyd, G. Hutton, D. Ross (Convener) and N. Ross with Mr J. MacAskill.

BALLIFEARY HOME OF REST: Revs. D. B. MacLeod, Convener, N. Ross, J. Tallach and D. M. Boyd with Messrs I. Macrae and R. Dickie.

BOOKROOM: Rev. D. J. MacDonald, Convener and Rev. L. MacLeod with Messrs D. R. McSween, A. Gillies and K. Gillies.

HARRIS HOME OF REST: Rev. J. MacLeod, Convener, and Rev. K. MacLeod and Rev. A. Morrison with Dr R. Dickie and Mr D. MacKenzie.

SABBATH OBSERVANCE: Rev. N. Ross, Convener, and Rev. K. MacLeod with Messrs E. Fraser and A. Gillies.

CHURCH CENTENARY: Revs. D. B. MacLeod, Convener, and F. MacDonald with Messrs A. Gillies, R. Middleton, D. McSween and J. MacAskill.

OUTREACH: Revs. D. Boyd, G. Hutton, D. Ross and D. J. MacDonald, Convener, with Mr A. MacRae.

Collections for the year:

| Foreign Mission | March and August |
|——————————|——————|
| General Building | April |
| Home Mission | May and October |
| Dominions and Overseas | September |
| Publications | November |
| College Library and Bookroom | December |