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.
Zimbabwe: At Bulawayo on 8th October at 2 p.m.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 15th October at 12 noon.
Australia and New Zealand: At Gisborne on 25th October at 2.30 p.m.
Halkirk Communion
The Kirk-Session has appointed a Communion Season in Halkirk for the second Sabbath of September, D.V. The services are expected to be held in the Halkirk Church on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday 12 noon; Sabbath 11.30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Monday 11 a.m. Any inquiries can be made to the interim Moderator, Rev D. M. Boyd, Inverness (0463 712872) who will be officiating at the Communion.
Eastern European Fund
Until now the work in Eastern Europe has been done under the auspices of the Religion and Morals Committee but it was decided at the Synod in May that it come under the Dominions and Overseas Committee and that a separate fund be set up for donations for Eastern Europe. The purpose of the Fund is to bring Bibles and Reformed literature into Eastern Europe, also food, clothing and medicines, and provide for visits to Eastern Europe from time to time. It is hoped a visit may be possible in October.
In the account detailing the cost for last year’s visit to Eastern Europe £4805 is shown for travel. Part of this was used for a visit to Italy and another part of it for medicines and food for Romania.
It is very necessary that we do what we can to spread sound teaching to these parts; and this is all the more urgent when the cults are using to advantage the freedom of movement now found in the USSR. One person from the USSR, not knowing the evil of Mormonism writes, “I was under a great impression of our meeting with the students and teachers from the state Utah, USA. We have, (our school), a correspondence with them for three years and not long ago we had a meeting . . . my friend gave me the Book of Mormon in Russian and a small book about saint Joseph Smith. It’s rather interesting to read and compare with the Bible.” I forwarded to this person the leaflet on Mormonism by the late Rev. W. MacLean, and other literature exposing this pernicious cult. We hope and pray that the seeds of error will not find a place in this person’s heart nor in the school to which the Mormons have access.
Those who wish to contribute towards the work in Eastern Europe should forward their contributions to the Mr R. A. Campbell, General Treasurer, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6LE or Rev. D A Ross, Free Presbyterian Manse, Laide, Achnasheen, Ross-shire, IV22 2NB.
— D. A. R.
Induction at Bracadale
On a lovely summer evening, with Loch Bracadale in a placid mood, reflecting the beauty of the surrounding hills, a congregation of over 300 gathered to witness the Induction of Rev. George G. Hutton to the Bracadale Strath Free Presbyterian congregation. The pastoral vacancy which had lasted for 12 years, was now filled, to the joy of the people and Presbytery alike. On Tuesday, 16th July 1991 they came from the far flung corners of the church of their fathers, to express their gratification and interest in the Gospel, and the Free Presbyterian Cause in Skye.
With the Presbytery duly constituted by prayer at 6.30 p.m., and the Roll called, the other six ministers present were associated with the Skye Presbytery. The Clerk read the relevant part of the last Minute of Presbytery calling for this meeting. The Moderator called for the return of the Edict duly served and attested: the proclamation at the door of the church was made by Mr J. Campbell, the appointed Officer of Court, before Rev. D. Nicolson went to the pulpit and preached appositely from Jeremiah 8: 5-8. The sermon over, the Clerk gave a brief narrative of the steps taken in the Call to Rev. G. G. Hutton. Then the Moderator, Rev. A. M. Cattanach addressed to Mr Hutton the normal Questions put to ministers on such a solemn occasion. Having answered these in the affirmative, Mr Hutton signed the Formula in the presence of the congregation. The Moderator now engaged in prayer, and solemnly admitted Rev. G. G. Hutton to the pastoral charge of the Bracadale Strath congregation; in token whereof he received the right hand of fellowship from the Moderator and fellow-Presbyterians. Mr Hutton was suitably addressed by the Moderator, and the congregation by the Clerk. Of the associated brethren present, Rev. A. Macdonald, Gairloch from the Western Presbytery, Rev. D. J. MacDonald from the Outer Isles, a quondam minister of Bracadale, and Rev. Dr. B. Boyd from the North, were asked to speak. The Clerk tendered an apology for absence from Mr Thompson, Larne. Mr James A. Falconer, Clerk to the Deacons’ Court of the Larne Free Presbyterian congregation, where Mr Hutton had previously laboured sent a message of goodwill. Letters in similar vein from Rev. J. A. MacDonald, Inverness, and Rev. L. MacLeod, Greenock, were also read by the Clerk. Presentations from the Bracadale Strath congregation were then made by the Moderator to Rev. D. Nicolson, Interim Moderator, and to Rev. G. Hutton respectively. Thereafter, the Clerk presented the new minister of the congregation with a beautifully inscribed Pulpit Bible, gifted by a Friend in memory of the late Mr Donald MacCaskill, elder, so long associated with, and devoted to our Cause, and so recently taken Home, to be for ever with the Lord. The praise which was hearty and harmonious, and reflected the delight of the people, was led throughout by Rev. Dr. J. Tallach. As the strains of the closing verses of Psalm 122 faded away, Mr Hutton went to the door of the church, where the congregation had the opportunity of shaking hands with the new pastor of the Bracadale Strath congregation. A sumptuous repast was prepared and served by the ladies of the congregation in a marquee erected for the occasion in close proximity to the church. There the friends were refreshed and mingled freely with each other.
We fervently pray that the ministry now begun, will be attended by Divine power and accompanied with spiritual signs following, to the glory of God.
Fraser Macdonald, Presbytery Clerk.
Glasgow Manse Address
From 29th August Rev. D. MacLean’s address will be 104 Barondal Drive, Glasgow G12 0HY. Tel: 041 357 2315.
Edinburgh Services
From 15th September (D.V.) it is expected that our services will be held in Gilmore Place Church.