The Prime Minister and the Sabbath
According to Press reports the Prime Minister, along with his Cabinet, is to oppose the proposal put forward by the European Community in the form of a directive for a 48-hour maximum working week. This proposal if accepted is likely to lead to the Sabbath becoming an official EC rest day. The Government is strongly opposed to the Sabbath becoming an official rest day throughout the Community. It is lamentable to think that Britain of all the nations of Western Europe should be opposed to the Sabbath as a day of rest. Let those who love the Sabbath make their views known to the Prime Minister and express their abhorrence of the Government’s stand in this matter.
The House of Lords and a Blasphemous Film
It is good to know that strong opposition was expressed in the House of Lords by a number of peers to the projected showing (on the BBC) of a film which is blasphemous in the extreme. Lord Hailsham said that it was outrageous that the BBC should show such disregard for people who had paid licence fees. Lord Orr-Ewing said that the film was offensive not only because it ridicules Jesus but also because it shows Him to be weak and cynical. Lord Tonypandy, former Speaker of the Commons, said that no one would tolerate abuse of the prophet Muhammad and why should we tolerate ridicule of our Lord.
Foul Language on TV
Much disquiet has been expressed recently on the number of swear words used on the TV. The Chairman of the new Broadcasting Standards Council, Lord Rees Mogg, a Roman Catholic and former Editor of The Times newspaper, said that swearing was still the most common reason for viewers’ complaints. Lord Rees Mogg is to tell the broadcasting organisations to make sure bad language does not go out before the 9 p.m. family watershed. Surely such words ought to be forbidden altogether as violations of the divine law whether spoken before or after 9 p.m. It is good to know that a day will come when such language will not be tolerated on the media, either by those who are in charge of the programmes or by those who hear them.
Pupils to get lessons on AIDS
The Education Secretary has indicated that compulsory coverage of HIV would be included in the science curriculum. Some time ago the teaching of Sex Education was introduced into the schools having in view promoting better moral conduct. It is obvious that the very opposite effect took place and the type of education given in this field only hastened the moral decline of the nation. No doubt the Government have the same thing in mind with regard to instruction of children in the dangers of AIDS. How empty a proposal this is in view of the Government’s total failure to deal with the real problem which is that of unnatural lusts. It was the legalising of sodomy on a free vote in Parliament which has produced this plague. The proper course is for those who promoted that piece of legislation who are still alive (we know that the main instigator of it has long ago gone to his account), repent of their action and let the present Government overturn it and banish it from the Statute Book of our land for ever. At the time it was passed it was said that no civilised nation before that time ever had on its Statute Book such an abominable piece of legislation.
Moral Standards in Public Life
The resignation of a public servant, high in the Civil Service, after being found in a highly compromising situation, shows that a certain moral standard is required of those who occupy places of public trust. It is good that this is how it is, for if it was otherwise, there is no saying what the effect would be on the life of the nation. May it long continue so.
New Prayer Book
A blasphemous prayer book has been published which includes feminist language in its addresses to God. God is referred to as “she” and the Lord’s Prayer begins: “Beloved, our Father and Mother, in whom is heaven,” according to a Press Report. It is also said that in some Anglican churches prayers are being used which ascribe a feminine gender to God. While this blasphemy may satisfy radical feminists, it only goes to prove the madness and blasphemy that is in the natural heart of man. When men or women reject revealed truth there is no length to which they will not resort. The rise of so many sects and false religions in the world goes to prove this. May the Word of God so find a lodging place in our hearts so that we may never give place to those evil tenets.
Mission News
It has been agreed by the Zimbabwean Presbytery that Mr Neil Murray leave Mbuma Hospital, and take up residence in Bulawayo from which centre he will take services in various needy congregations, and particularly spend more time at Binga, the remote area in the Zambezi Valley, where he and Mr David Ndlovu have preached and given out portions of Scripture, and at the same time distributed food and clothing to destitute people. Immigration officials have yet to give their consent to this arrangement.
Before Mr Murray left for his last furlough in Scotland one section of the community at Binga presented Mr Murray with a large adze, or axe, as a special mark of esteem and gratitude, and a tea service carved in wood with a particularly large sugar bowl indicative of the African love for sugar!
A visit was paid recently to an elderly member at Ingwenya who was in Third Standard at Ingwenya in 1933. She was noticeably good then at answering Bible questions. Mrs Pepheta is crippled by arthritis, and unable to attend church but she told her visitors that her own Bible was now in tatters and she would dearly love a new Ndebele Bible. There were numerous grandchildren around her and she said she would like to gather them around her daily to read to them from the Bible. On making immediate enquiries it was discovered that an Ndebele Bible could not be found in the Bible shops in Bulawayo. Zulu Bibles are available but the old people prefer Ndebele, their own dialect. The British and Foreign Bible Society who are the publishers of the Ndebele Bible are being approached. It is hoped that a new and modern version is not being envisaged.
It is interesting for the Staff at Ingwenya to have visits from former pupils who have achieved eminence in the Government or in other spheres. The Minister of Agriculture is to attend the prizegiving at the end of the year. He is the grandson of an esteemed former elder, John Dabengwa. It would be a great matter for rejoicing if these men and women were converted.
A new classroom is being built at Ingwenya to accommodate pupils who have completed Primary School but have not reached Secondary School standard. Rather than see them adrift at such an early stage they are taught the usual school subjects including Bible, of course, to give them an opportunity to catch up.
The Sabbath Class for little Primary children was 176 in number recently. Numbers will fluctuate, no doubt, but a nucleus will attend regularly we trust with the Lord’s blessing.
The Rev. John MacLeod is expected in Zimbabwe for the month of December, if all is well. All are looking forward very much to his coming.
J.N.