A.P.C. and Free Church
The possibility of a merger between the A.P.C. and the Free Church was highlighted in a newspaper report earlier in the year. Whatever substance there is in the report remains to be seen but it is evident that already close relations exist between the two bodies at a local level, with exchange of pulpits and joint Youth Fellowships. It is reliably reported that Rev George MacAskill, who has left Dumbarton, before he left advised his congregation to attend the Free Church. These actions are by men who came under solemn ordination vows to maintain the testimony of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Such is the fickle nature of man. He can be one thing at one time and another at another time. Do such men not realise that they yet have to give in an account to God?
I.R.A. Warrington Bombing
Many people on both sides of the Irish Sea were revolted at the Warrington bombing, as a result of which a child and a teenager died. These murders are added to the fearful toll of life attributable to the I.R.A. Even the R.C. Cardinals in England and Ireland condemned the I.R.A.’s actions as barbaric and inhuman. It will take more, however, than condemnation of this vicious act by the I.R.A. to relieve the R.C. Church of involvement in I.R.A. activities. Would it be possible for the I.R.A. to continue in existence, were it not for the R.C. Church’s indoctrination of its children with a fanatical hatred of Protestantism? Were it not for this, the I.R.A. would die a natural death, being unable to find any more recruits to do its nefarious work. Random killings by Loyalist extremists in retaliation for I.R.A. murders cannot be excused either. Murder is murder whoever it is done by. Self-defence is one thing; murder is another. Let the Protestants of Northern Ireland put no trust in the bullet or the bomb, but let them look to the mighty God of Jacob. A nation on its knees in prayer to God will never be overthrown by any force. This was proved in 1940 at the time of Dunkirk. Britain was not saved by her forces, however brave her forces were, but by the people of God in the land at a Throne of grace pleading for her preservation and deliverance. The history of Judah in the time of King Asa, and at other times, confirms this.
Pornography Satellite Channel
The Heritage Secretary, Mr Peter Brooke, announced a ban on a pornographic satellite channel which broadcasts from Denmark. He said: “This Government will not tolerate exploitative material of a sexually-explicit or gratuitously-violent nature.” Government action in this matter is welcomed. However, the Channel won the right to a High Court review of the Government’s plan to outlaw the sale of decoders for the films being beamed into Britain from Denmark. The station is basing its appeal on European Community Law. If the Government’s position is upheld it will be salutary warning to other broadcasters as well.
Only recently the Health Secretary warned of the pernicious effect on children of a diet of sex and violence on television. Addressing a news conference organised by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children she stressed that, while there is undoubtedly a role for the Government to regulate what is broadcast, parents also have a responsibility to establish the limits beyond which their children should not tread.
Syllabus for Religious Education
The Education Secretary, Mr John Patten, is to ask church leaders to help strengthen religious education in schools by drawing up a national blueprint for lessons. That there is need for a change there is no doubt, but we are not hopeful of it succeeding. Too much ground has already been lost through giving place to other religions. It is specific Christian teaching, biblically-based, that is required but it will require a revival of true religion to bring this about. With the Education Secretary himself being a Roman Catholic, it can hardly be envisaged that he will do much to restore true Christianity to the schools. No more can we rely on Church leaders to do it, seeing that they have long ago abandoned many of the basic teachings of Christianity.
House of Lord’s Ruling over Depraved Practices
The House of Lords dismissed an appeal by five men who had been found guilty of criminal assault for inflicting sado-masochistic injuries to one another during depraved practices and had been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment. Lord Templeman in giving his verdict said: “Society is entitled and bound to protect itself against a cult of violence. Pleasure derived from the infliction of pain is an evil thing. Cruelty is uncivilised.” The Court has done a service in thus outlawing these depraved practices in our land.
The Conversion of England
The following letter was sent to the London Times. As one would expect, although it was acknowledged, it was not printed. D. McL.
Letters to the Editor
The Times
1 Pennington St.
London E1 9XN
6th March 1993
Dear Sir,
When Christians were more spiritual than they are at the present time, they used to judge the spirituality of a preacher more by his prayers than by his preaching. They realised that the deepest thoughts of his heart were expressed in his prayers. It is illuminating therefore, that Cardinal Hume’s prayers for the conversion of England mean the return of the Church of England to the spiritual darkness of the Church of Rome, from which England was delivered at the Reformation.
If this revelation will not awaken the somnolent evangelicals in that Church, to the danger to which they have exposed their church and country, nothing else will.
Yours faithfully,
(Rev) Donald MacLean
Moderator, Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.