AMONG the heavy responsibilities which the late Rev. D.B. MacLeod assiduously and faithfully discharged was the editing of The Free Presbyterian Magazine for the long period of just more than 25 years.
In taking up this heavy work of editorship of the Magazine, to which I was appointed by the last Synod, I can only echo Mr MacLeod’s words when he took up the editor’s pen for the first issue in January 1970: “I feel very unfit for the task which the Church has laid upon me, but desire to undertake this work in the strength of Divine grace. The Lord alone is able to give all needed grace and wisdom and strength.” I would ask the Lord’s people to please remember me in prayer with regard to my weighty editorial responsibilities.
We are bound to seek that the blessing of the Lord would rest upon the work of the Magazine because, as need hardly be said, the Magazine is a principal element in the witness of our Church — a witness which is based foursquare on the Word of God. Second only to the Scriptures in our witness is the Westminster Confession of Faith, which is based entirely on the Word of God, and to which we unreservedly subscribe.
The Free Presbyterian Magazine therefore seeks to maintain, propagate and defend “the faith which was once delivered to the saints” and handed down to us at no small cost. Such a witness necessarily entails bearing testimony against the evils of the age in which we live, and against the false and soul-deluding religions, especially Romanism, which are growing in power by the year. Our chief aims are that God would be glorified, His kingdom made a praise in the earth, sinners saved by grace, and the people of God built up in their “most holy faith”.
Of course, this magazine is also published (as the first issue stated in May 1896), “specially in the interests of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland”. Therefore it is expected that a major proportion of its input will be from the ministers and elders of the Church. For example, we hope to transcribe from tape a selection of sermons of our ministers: certain sermons have already been commended by friends for publication. It is true that transcribing and editing sermons is very time-consuming but we know that a large section of our readership wishes to have such material. We look to our brethren to do what is in their power to assist us, not only by allowing publication of their sermons but also by producing articles, especially of a topical nature.
All communications for the Editor are to be sent to: Rev. Neil M. Ross, Free Presbyterian Manse, 10 Achany Road, Dingwall, Ross-shire, IV15 9JB. Tel. No. 01349 864351.
The Editor