Notes and Comments

Divorce in Britain

A European Union survey has shown that there are fewer marriages and more children born out of wedlock in every Common Market country. Divorce in Britain is twice the average of other European Union countries. Also, sad to say, one in three children here are born to single mothers. Almost 31 per cent of our children are illegitimate, well above the average for European Union countries. This shows the low moral state to which the nation has sunk. Many grow up in total ignorance of moral values and this bears its own fruit. Apart from a return to the word of God, the nation must sink lower and lower and ultimately perish in its own corruption, if this decline is not arrested in the mercy and kindness of the Lord.

Religious Education

It is sad to think how far from the teaching of Christian values and beliefs Religious Education has departed in recent years. Great emphasis is laid on children learning about other faiths. Recent guidelines for Religious Education which have been drawn up suggest that children will be expected to cover Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, as well as Christianity. It would appear that few schools were following the recommendation of last year’s review of the national curriculum, that

Religious Education should occupy 5 per cent of teaching time. In the light of this how little of Christian teaching is being imparted in school to the rising generation. What is to become of a land that has in such large measure abandoned its Christian heritage? The result must necessarily be the loss of the privileges and benefits which Christianity gave to our country.

Church of England Services

Services are already taking place in the Church of England where God is referred to as “She” and Christ is called “Christa”. This was stated at the General Synod meeting in York. While not endorsing these usages, the Synod did accept that traditional texts from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer should be mixed with modern texts in one service. The feminists within the Church of England are very persistent and may ultimately get their way in this, as well as in other unscriptural and blasphemous proposals. It is said that many traditionalists in the Church of England fear that the ordination of women priests has set in train a feminist agenda. This will result in traditional liturgies being replaced by modern forms of worship influenced by New Age concepts of the deity. There is no doubt that the ordination of women has opened the door to many unscriptural practices.

New Leader for the Labour Party

Mr Tony Blair has been appointed leader of the Labour Party in succession to the late Mr John Smith. Should the Labour Party win the next General Election, Mr Tony Blair would be Prime Minister. It is a matter of concern, therefore, that Mr Blair, though belonging to the Church of England, is married to a Roman Catholic, has agreed to his children being brought up in the Roman Catholic faith, and sometimes attends the Roman Catholic Church with them.

This being so, what an opening it gives the Romanist hierarchy for pursuing their own objective of bringing Britain under the dominion of the See of Rome. May the Lord so order it in His providence that all their schemes will be frustrated.

Priestly Child Abuse

In recent times in various parts of the world there has come to light the evil practices of Roman Catholic priests in the abuse of children. An RC working party has drawn up guidelines on how the RC church should deal with priests who sexually abuse children. The report contains an apology from a senior RC bishop to those who have been abused. It is

reported in the Press that in the past 18 months, six priests and monks in England and Wales have been convicted of child sex offences. In past generations the RC Church did its utmost to hid from the public the baneful influence of the Confessional in opening a wide door to moral depravity. Today it is no longer able to hide these things. However, nothing will change until the false doctrines of the Confessional and penance and the other false doctrines of Romanism are removed.

Church Notes

Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)

Northern: At Dingwall on 6th September at 2 p.m.

Southern: At Glasgow on 13th September at 6 p.m.

Western: At Laide on 13th September at 6 p.m.

Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 27th September at 1 p.m.

Zimbabwe: At Bulawayo on 11th October at 2 p.m.

Australia and New Zealand: At Gisborne on 21st October at 2.30 p.m.

Skye: At Portree on 25th October at 11 a.m.

Appeal to Christian Teachers

Ingwenya
July, 1994

Dear Teachers,

In the Lord’s providence we still have some untrained teachers on our staff despite the Government’s statement that sufficient teachers are available. (This really applies to Government schools, however.) The time will soon come, however, when there will be enough teachers in all schools and the opportunity to use overseas staff will be over. Unless we can keep a few places filled with Christian staff — and those the Government will give us may not even be outwardly moral — we will be forced to accept whatever is provided. This is especially true just now as some of the Mission staff are near retirement age.

Please consider this matter seriously and consider whether you could give us even two years. You may have to teach English or Bible Knowledge as well as your own speciality.

There is still a great opportunity at present in this part of the world to pass on the Christian ethic of work and morality, as well as by your own example, show the young impressionable people what belonging to Christ means. We would urge some of you to come to share this work. It may be your last opportunity to do so!

Yours sincerely,

Marion Graham (Headmistress), John Tallach Secondary School.

Committee Meetings

The following Committees will meet in Inverness Church on Tuesday, 4th October (D.V.):—

| 09.00 am – 10.00 am | Magazine Committee |
|———————|—————————————–|
| 10.00 am – 11.30 am | Training of the Ministry |
| 11.30 am – 01.00 pm | Sabbath Observance
Outreach |
| 02.00 pm – 05.00 pm | Finance |
| 02.00 pm – 03.30 pm | Welfare of Youth |
| 03.30 pm – 05.00 pm | Bookroom |
| 05.00 pm – 06.00 pm | Dominions and Overseas |
| 07.00 pm – 09.00 pm | Foreign Missions
Religion and Morals |

Vacancies in Zimbabwe

1. We need at least one teacher or University graduate with teaching subjects at the John Tallach Secondary School, particularly in Maths, History, English and Bible Knowledge, initially for a two year period. He or she would be expected to help with the Sabbath school.

2. The Mission needs at least one person with experience and ability to cope with general maintenance of buildings and repairs (electrical and plumbing). He should have some knowledge of vehicle maintenance and be able to supervise various building projects. He would at first act as assistant to Mr David Ndlovu. He would be regarded as a church worker and might be asked to assist in this side of the work as well.

Reasonable accommodation with electricity and plumbing is available but families would be advised not to apply if children were of school age.

Mission Posts — Kenya

1. A teacher is required to supervise Religious Instruction in Mission Schools.

2. A qualified Nurse, preferably with maternity experience is required for work at Sengera Clinic.

Anyone who may be led to apply for any of the above posts in Zimbabwe and Kenya should contact the Rev James Tallach, Clerk of the Foreign Mission Committee, F.P. Manse, Raasay, IV40 8PB.

October Issue of F.P. Magazine

All material for the October issue of the F.P. Magazine should be sent to Rev John MacLeod, F.P. Manse, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, who will be acting as Editor during the Editor’s absence in Africa.