by Rev. Donald MacLean, Moderator of Synod
When the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland met in Edinburgh in May, 1893, the Church’s Jubilee formed a prominent part of the proceedings. Fifty years had passed since the famous Disruption, when the Church of Scotland Free took up a separate position from the Church of Scotland Established. This special position had become necessary to maintain a Scriptural witness to the right of congregations to have pastors settled over them by Church Courts, rather than having pastors imposed on them against their will by Civil Courts. In other words, the crown rights of Christ as Head of the Church had to be safeguarded. Although this separation meant the loss of manses, glebes and salaries, these sufferings were nobly borne by the founders of the Free Church, knowing that they were maintaining the constitutional position of the Church of the Reformation, with the Word of God as its supreme standard, and the Westminster Confession of Faith its subordinate standard.
The promising beginning of this Church was not maintained however. After the Disruption fathers had passed away to their eternal rest, a generation of ministers and office-bearers arose who had not the same love for the Word of God and its doctrines, as set out in systematised form in the Confession of Faith. A process of declension set in with which the readers of this Magazine are well acquainted. This process came to a head in the formation of the notorious Declaratory Act, composed to give relief to those whose consciences were not captive to the Word of God.
In 1892 this Act was passed by the General Assembly, and became a binding law and constitution of the Free Church. The passing of the Act meant that the constitution of the Free Church was changed, as the doctrines contained in this Act were opposed to the doctrines of the Confession of Faith. The Free Church of Scotland of 1843 no longer existed — the Free Church of 1893 now had the Declaratory Act in its constitution. The party in the Free Church which had been opposing the Declaratory Act was called the Constitutional Party. When the Act was passed in the Assembly of 1892, some of the leaders of this party had thoughts of separation, but the policy was adopted of acting together to endeavour to have the Act repealed at the 1893 Assembly. In the dissent and protest entered when the Declaratory Act was passed, an appeal was made to the Assembly of 1893 to take steps to repeal the Act. Accordingly, several Overtures to this effect were sent up to the General Assembly. We do not know what the weather was like in the city of Edinburgh on Thursday 25th May, 1893. The sun may have been shining or a cold east wind blowing. We are sure, however, that there were some heavy and anxious hearts, as the ministers and elders made their way to the Assembly Hall, where the General Assembly was to consider the Overtures.
It had become increasingly evident that there was no likelihood of the Overtures receiving favourable consideration. When the voting took place the Overtures were passed from, and the last effort by these means to save the Free Church came to an end.
All was not to be lost, however. In the midst of this large Assembly of over six hundred members, who had shown hostility to any attempt to repeal the Declaratory Act, there was one minister who knew how to act. Some time before this Rev Donald MacFarlane had been assisting at a Communion in Argyllshire. On the Monday, after the service, there was a large gathering in the Manse for a meal. At the conclusion of the meal, the minister gave out Psalm 133 to be sung. He asked Neil Cameron, who was then a divinity student, to lead the singing. This he refused to do, and when the minister pressed him to do so, he broke down. The minister led the singing of the psalm himself. On retiring to the Manse study the minister asked Mr Cameron what was wrong with him when he refused to lead the singing. Mr Cameron replied: “If men are to be faithful to the Cause of Christ in Scotland, that psalm could not be sung in the company at that table.” Rev D. MacFarlane, who was present, was heard saying “If I will get grace, I will be faithful”. This was the source from which he was to draw strength to do as he did.
When the motion to pass from the Overtures was concluded in the Assembly, Rev D. MacFarlane was given grace to take the proper step to conserve the Constitution of the Free Church of 1843. He came forward and tabled his Protest, which he refused to change to a Dissent.
By this step he separated himself and all who followed him, from the Declaratory Act Free Church, and preserved pure and entire the Constitution of the Church of the Disruption. He left behind him both the Rainy party and the Constitutional party, who were content with a Dissent when their Overtures failed. We have no doubt that the step was taken by Mr MacFarlane because the Lord fulfilled His promise to him “My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness” 2 Cor. 12: 9. He accordingly gave the Lord all the glory.
It is the centenary of this event that we, as a Church, are to commemorate, on Tuesday, 25th May, 1993 (D.V.), for by it the Free Presbyterian Church commenced its separate existence to preserve a full-orbed testimony for Divine Truth in doctrine, worship and practice. May we, too, be given grace to ascribe all the glory to Christ for the grace given to His servant at that critical time, and to Rev D. MacDonald, who came to stand with him, as well as the students, elders and people who flocked to this banner.
It has been considered most appropriate that the meeting to commemorate this event should be held in the very Assembly Hall in Edinburgh where Rev D. MacFarlane tabled his historic Protest. It is likely that it is the same Clerk’s table which is in this Hall. Accordingly, the Assembly Hall has been hired from the Church of Scotland for the whole day on Tuesday 25th May, 1993. This Commemoration Meeting will be entirely distinct from the Annual Meeting of Synod, which will take place (D.V.) in Inverness on 1st June, 1993. This meeting is primarily for ministers, office-bearers and our people to render thanks to God for the grace given to make this unique stand for the Word of God in its doctrine, worship and government, but naturally all other interested friends will be welcome. We look forward to a large gathering of our people, not only from the United Kingdom, but from Africa, New Zealand, Canada and Australia.
We will also seek to render praise and thanks for the grace given to enable us, as a Church, to continue during these past one hundred years. It is truly wonderful that, in the midst of the most appalling apostasy of Protestant Churches during this time, the church has been preserved faithfully to the testimony raised in 1893. This has taken place despite the naked enmity of the ungodly, and the treachery of false friends. The Lord has indeed been mindful of us, and our hope and prayer is that He will continue to bless us, for He alone is our refuge and our strength, and in difficulties and trials has indeed proved a present aid.
As we therefore, render praise for the loving kindness of the Lord during these past one hundred years, let us also unite in fervent prayer, that He would grant an outpouring of His Holy Spirit to revive His work in the midst of these years of wrath.
“For Thou, Lord, by Thy mighty works
hast made my heart right glad:
And I will triumph in the works
which by Thine hands are made”
Psalm 92: 4
A programme of events has been arranged for Tuesday, 25th May, 1993, to take place in the Assembly Hall in Edinburgh.
These are as follows:
- 2 p.m. Public Worship conducted by Rev. Donald MacLean, Moderator of Synod.
- 3 p.m. Paper on the history of events by Rev. Alex MacPherson, Perth.
- Paper by Rev. Donald Maclean — The Hundred Years.
- Several ministers of the Church will give short addresses of 10 minutes each. (Details will be given in due course D.V.)
- The meeting will close with prayer, praise and the Benediction about 6 p.m. A meal will be arranged for 7 p.m.
Deacons’ Courts will be expected to make all arrangements for their Congregations to come to this Commemoration Meeting.
All expenses of travel, accommodation (which will be provided where necessary) and the meal, will be provided by the Church.
The Finance Committee has opened a Centenary Commemoration Fund for the purpose of financing this event. Contributions should be sent to the General Treasurer.
It should be noted that this Fund is different from the Centenary Fund, which is intended to finance the publication of the Centenary Volume.