All Roads lead to Rome
The Archbishop of Canterbury, like a number of his predecessors, has trodden the well-worn road to Rome to pay his respects to the Pope of Rome, the Man of sin and Son of perdition. As chief bishop in the Anglican Church he would be expected in this ecumenical age to wend his way to the Vatican. Much was said about him as an evangelical at the time of his appointment but his visit to the Vatican gives the lie to that. What need there is that the eyes of the leaders of the Church of England would be opened to see the true nature of the Church of Rome. If this were to take place what a blessing it would be. The day, however, is coming, when the Church of Rome will be exposed, not as a Church of Christ, which it pretends to be, but as the synagogue of Satan. May that time be hastened.
Scottish Independence
Much has been spoken and written about Scottish independence since the General Election. The important matter for us as a Church is not whether certain economic or other advantages might be gained but whether the Protestant Constitution of the land might be maintained. In the present climate of irreligion which is abroad in Scotland, one thing is sure and that is, that the last thing that would be considered in any new national settlement would be the Protestant Constitution. Were Scotland in a spiritually alive state, we have no doubt that Scotland could exist separately or as part of a union of nations as at present. But the fact that it is not so, and that a large population of Irish Roman Catholic immigrants have settled in south west Scotland, make it imperative that no change takes place. While it is true that Romanist leaders have been against independence, yet they would have much to gain by it.
Corporal Punishment
Britain, like many other countries, has introduced a ban on corporal punishment. It was first done away with for criminals who were allowed to inflict whatever pain they wished on their victim while being protected from having any pain inflicted on themselves. This ban on physical punishment has been extended to apply also to children, not merely where children are being physically abused, but where they are being corrected for some wrong-doing. The result in schools could have been predicted — unmanageable classes and unruly ruffians. These ruffians will see to it that they mete out much pain to others but the law now prevents them having a dose of the same administered to themselves. As a consequence we have an unruly society with young and old exposed to vicious attacks from hooligans, a situation that was well contained when corporal punishment was administered. The Word of God still stands: “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Prov. 13: 24.
Casualties of the Abortion Act
A House of Commons question asked since the General Election has brought to light the scale of destruction of life since the passing of the Abortion Act in 1967. A junior minister in the Department of Health has disclosed that almost 3.7 million abortions have been carried out in Great Britain since the Act was implemented. Abortion is of course justified when the life of the mother is in danger, and the answer just quoted gave figures for abortions performed “in emergency to save the life of the woman” — 151, a miniscule 0.004% of the total. There may have been other cases when abortion was carried out because of danger to the life of the mother although her life was not in immediate danger, but such cases would not alter the picture significantly. It is a grim picture of large-scale, wanton destruction of life in defiance of the God who has said, “Thou shalt not kill”. Further comment is unnecessary. — K. D. M.