Some items of interest from the meeting of Synod
COPIES of the Proceedings of Synod are now available from the F.P. Bookroom, price £2.50 plus postage. The following items of Synod business, more or less as they have been conveniently summed up for us by Rev. D.M. Boyd in his newsletter, Auldcastle View, given below.
The Rev. Alexander McPherson was appointed the Moderator of Synod for 1995-6, and the Rev. John MacLeod was appointed Clerk of Synod. The Rev. Neil M. Ross was appointed Editor of The Free Presbyterian Magazine for a period of five years. Two theological tutors were appointed: the Rev. Donald D.M. Boyd as the Systematic Theology Tutor, and the Rev. Kenneth D. Macleod as Tutor in Hebrew and related subjects. The new Convener of the Dominions and Overseas Committee is the Rev. Donald A. Ross, while the Rev. John L. Goldby was appointed Convener of the Sabbath Observance Committee. Both Homes of Rest Committees have new conveners; the Rev. Alexander Morrison was appointed Convener of the Harris Home of Rest Committee, and Mr Alistair N. MacRae is the Convener of the Ballifearry Home of Rest Committee.
The Synod also passed three Resolutions which had been submitted by the Religion and Morals Committee. The Resolution on the British Constitution and Coronation Oath expressed our concern about increasing calls for the changing of the terms of the Protestant Constitution of the nation. The Resolution on the “Evangelicals and Roman Catholics Together” statement which was signed by a group of Roman Catholics and professed evangelicals, including Dr James Packer, warns against the collaborating with the Roman Catholic Church which the statement endorses. The Resolution on the so-called Toronto Blessing, states our opposition to this bizarre phenomenon in the Charismatic movement.
It was decided by the Synod that one of the two overseas divinity students, Mr Patrick J. Cassidy of New Zealand, should do his theological course in the United Kingdom. Upon passing his entrance examinations, he will commence his studies in this country this year, God willing.
The Synod approved a Scheme for Housing of Retired Ministers which will allow ministers on their retirement, or ministers’ widows on the death of their husbands, to apply to the Finance Committee for assistance in the form of a loan, or rent assistance, or other options arising out of consultation. The Scheme is flexible to accommodate the varying needs of ministers or their widows and will be financed out of the Forsyth Legacy.
The Skye Presbytery Clerk
AT the meeting of the Skye Presbytery on 13th June, 1995, the Presbytery regretfully accepted the resignation, because of ill health, of its Clerk, Rev. Fraser MacDonald, M.A., Portree. The Presbytery, at the same meeting, appointed Rev. James R. Tallach, M.B., Ch.B., Raasay, to be its Clerk.
Meetings of Presbytery (D.V.)
NORTHERN: At Dingwall on Tuesday, 12th September, at 1.30 pm.
SOUTHERN: At Glasgow on Tuesday, 19th September, at 6.00 pm.
WESTERN: At Laide on Tuesday, 19th September, at 6.00 pm.
SKYE: At Portree on Tuesday, 3rd October at 11.00 am.
OUTER ISLES: At Stornoway on Tuesday, 5th September at 1.00 pm.
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: At Auckland on Tuesday, 26th January 1996, at 2.30 pm.
ZIMBABWE: At Bulawayo on Tuesday, 10th October, at 2.00 pm.
Visit to Fornaci di Barga, Italy
AT the time of writing this notice, we [that is, the Rev D. A. Ross and Mr Lucio Strata of our London Congregation] hope, in the kind providence of the Lord, to fly to Italy, on 15th July to spend two Sabbaths in Fornaci di Barga, at the request of the Dominions and Overseas Committee. It is planned that two services be taken each Sabbath in a room booked for this purpose in a local hotel, as has been done on past occasions, and that Mr Strata will interpret. During each week there will be a prayer meeting and Bible class.
By the time this notice appears we expect we will have returned, God willing, from Italy. Nevertheless, we would value the prayers of the Lord’s people for the Lord’s blessing to be upon yet another brief time of preaching the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to needy souls out there.
Until now, in the goodness of God, the door of opportunity for our work in Italy has been kept open. However, this may not continue, and therefore there is all the more need that we seek in prayer that this work, which has made very little progress over the years, be countenanced in mercy by the Most High, and that He would cause it to grow.
Rev. Donald A. Ross
Eastern Europe mission work — Notice of next visit
PENDING Presbytery approval, plans are being made to go to Eastern Europe for our usual second annual visit, God willing. It is intended that Rev. D.A. Ross and Mr E. Ross will go for almost three weeks in order to be in Kiev for two Sabbaths, possibly the last in October and the first in November.
During their visit in April and May, Rev. G.G. Hutton and Mr A. MacRae met with more disappointments than we usually meet with. However, despite various problems which arise we are still being enabled by the Lord of the harvest to spread the good seed of the kingdom by going with the Word of God to those who, as far as we can see, would otherwise be denied it.
The Church does this work with the assurance that the great Head of the church directs us thus, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Therefore we need not fear that the work is in vain or unprofitable. His word shall not return unto Him void, (Isaiah 55:11).
We look forward to your continued prayerful support of this important work. Donations may be sent to Mr R.A. Campbell, The General Treasurer, The Free Presbyterian Church, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LE.
Rev. Donald A. Ross