Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Northern: At Dingwall on 10th September at 2 p.m.
Southern: At Glasgow on 10th September at 6 p.m.
Western: At Laide on 17th September at 6 p.m.
Canadian: At Inverness on 1st October at 9 p.m.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 15th October at 12 noon.
Zimbabwe: At Bulawayo on 8th October at 2 p.m.
Australia and New Zealand: At Gisborne on 25th October at 2.30 p.m.
Annual Communion in Sydney, Australia
The Kirk Session decided that the second Sabbath in June (D.V.) would be the date fixed for the annual Communion in Sydney.
Calvin MacKenzie, Session Clerk
Reception of Student
At its meeting at Edinburgh on 14th June, the Southern Presbytery accepted as a student for the ministry, Mr Keith M. Watkins, 6 Bankton Wood, Muiriston, Livingstone, West Lothian. The prayers of our people are asked on behalf of Mr Watkins and his fellow-student, Mr R. MacLeod.
Alex. McPherson, Presbytery Clerk
Resignation of Rev. John MacDonald, North Tolsta
The Outer Isles Presbytery at its meeting in Stornoway on 18th June, 1991, regretfully accepted the resignation of the Rev. John MacDonald from the pastoral charge of the North Tolsta Congregation and his consequent retirement, on health grounds, from the active ministry. The Presbytery expressed the hope that he would enjoy a long and useful retirement.
John Macleod, Clerk of Presbytery
Induction of Rev. D. B. MacLeod at Edinburgh
The Southern Presbytery met at Edinburgh at 6.30 p.m. on Friday, 14th June, for the purpose of inducting the Rev. D. B. MacLeod who had been minister of Dingwall and Beauly, to the pastoral charge of the Edinburgh Congregation which had been vacant since June, 1989. The Call had been unanimous, and the service was attended by a large, representative gathering of church people.
At 7 p.m. the Moderator, Rev. D. MacLean, began the service, preaching an appropriate sermon from 2 Corinthians 4: 5 — “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” It was clearly stated that the preaching of the Gospel is a preaching of the truth respecting God’s love to the lost through Jesus Christ the Lord, who to save his people had to bear their sins. This truth is in inspired Scripture, the Word of God. Those who preach other gospels handle the Word of God deceitfully. In order to preach the Gospel one must know what it is, and have experience of it in his own soul. As dead souls have to be enlightened, the preacher must open the Scriptures and show how necessary it was that Christ should die and enter into his glory. Thus great is the sinner’s need. The needy soul whom God purposes to save is by the Holy Spirit accompanying the truth, enlightened in the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and powerfully drawn to trust in Him for salvation.
A minister must be himself enlightened in these matters, and when called to leave what he has been doing and preach Christ, he has to rely on divine light to enable him to preach. He handles the Word faithfully, addressing his hearers consciences, and setting forth Christ as the only balm for wounded consciences. He may tend to faint because of the opposition of indwelling sin, Satan and the world, but God will ensure that he does not preach in vain. The carnal methods so much used today will not be blessed to the saving of souls.
Ministers are also servants of the Church in that their labours are for the benefit of the Church, the love of Christ motivating them to this — “For Jesus’ sake”. They serve also by ruling the Church; discipline is a thing little understood today, but commanded by Christ as necessary. Christ’s ministers do not preach themselves. They are earthern vessels; their ability to preach Christ Jesus the Lord, referred to here as a treasure, is a valuable God-given faculty which in each case will be exercised only for a while. In due course the vessel will be broken, but by the Gospel it has proclaimed during that while, God will be glorified. Let us hold tenaciously to this view of the ministry.
At the end of public worship, and after a narrative of proceedings had been read, the Moderator asked Mr MacLeod to stand and put to him the questions appointed to be asked of a minister before induction. These were answered satisfactorily, and Mr MacLeod then signed the Formula. After engaging in prayer, the Moderator formally inducted and admitted Rev. D. B. MacLeod to the pastoral charge of the Edinburgh Congregation, in the name of the Presbytery, and by authority of the Lord Jesus Christ the Head of the Church. After being given the right hand of fellowship by the Moderator, the other members of Presbytery and Revs. D. M. Boyd, N. M. Ross and D. A. Ross associated with it, did the same.
The Rev. L. MacLeod, being called on to address the newly-inducted pastor welcomed him back to the Presbytery. He then gave suitable advice regarding his own walk and conversation, and also his duties towards the flock now put in his charge. As an experienced minister, Mr MacLeod was aware of the likelihood of difficulties and trials, but Christ would be with him, and the Holy Spirit who had led him to this charge would be his Helper. The congregation was then addressed by Rev. A. McPherson, and were referred to ways in which the settling of a pastor over them, affected them as individuals, families and as a congregation. God was able to bless them greatly in this new stage of their history.
Messages of goodwill from other Presbyteries and ministers were read, and the service then concluded by praise and the benediction. The congregation were then given the opportunity of shaking hands with Mr MacLeod as they left the church. It was a heartening occasion, and we pray that much blessing will follow Mr MacLeod’s ministry.
— Alex. McPherson, Presbytery Clerk.