Concern over decreased giving to the Eastern Europe Fund
THE Eastern Europe Mission Fund had a deficit of more than £1000 at the end of 1995, and during this year the deficit has increased considerably. This is not due to an increase of our activities in Eastern Europe but to a decrease in donations. In 1994 the income was £15,794; and in 1995 it was £9,284.
We regularly visit Eastern Europe, especially the Ukraine, twice each year. As is well known, we carry Bibles, reformed literature and various goods, and distribute them to needy people. It would be a loss to the Church if this work ceased because of lack of funds. While there will always be an open door for giving humanitarian aid to people all over the world, there is not always an open door for spreading the Word of God. Indeed, it is not so long ago that the former Soviet Union had its doors closed fast to the entry of the Scriptures. Those who dared to breach that barrier were in danger of being severely punished. At the borders of Soviet countries, in the early days of our trying to bring the Word of God to Eastern Europe, we were asked in connection with the books we carried, “Are you in possession of pornographic literature or Bibles?” How dreadful that the Word of God was classed with vile pornography. But that is how it was, and it shows something of the enmity of man to the Word of God. Thankfully the Scriptures can now be freely taken to, and distributed in, these lands. The door is open!
True, there are many calls to our people to support the work of the gospel. This is yet another call. People in our church and beyond have wonderfully responded in the past so that our work in Eastern Europe has been brought to its present strength. I trust we will never look back, but continue to press on with the good work as God enables us and provides for us.
We hope, God willing, to make our usual visit to the Ukraine in autumn, and we ask once again for your support. May we ever have a heart to distribute the Word of God to those who were denied it in the past. Only the Scriptures, in setting forth Christ as the Saviour of sinners, will bring them eternal life and happiness. Spreading the Word abroad is a worthy and obligatory work for every one of us.
Literature in the Russian language
It will interest those who have the opportunity to post religious literature to Eastern Europe to know that our Church has now translated a number of items into Russian. First, there is the Shorter Catechism in which we have included the proof texts in full, as well as Rev. Roderick Lawson’s helpful divisions (though not his comments). The Shorter Catechism, being thoroughly biblical and an excellent and valuable summary of Christian doctrine, is most useful for sending along with a Bible to anyone in the Former Soviet Union.
We have also translated the Rev. John Willison’s Mother’s Catechism: “The simple truths of the Bible for young children – in question and answer form”. We have changed the title to Children’s Catechism; a title more suited to the contents and for distribution purposes.
Two leaflets about Mormonism and the Jehovah’s Witnesses have been translated. These are: Mormons – Their Lies Exposed and Their Doom Foretold and Jehovah’s Witnesses – Their Lies Exposed. These thorough exposures by the late Rev. William MacLean, under the pseudonym of Ergatees, are published in English by the Westminster Standard, New Zealand. One of our Outreach Committee’s gospel tracts, The Unknown God, was also translated and has been well received.
I may also add that The Westminster Confession of Faith has been translated into Russia by Reformation Christian Ministries, U.S.A., and is obtainable from Dr. Stephen Westcott, 39 Falmouth Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8PX. We are assured that the translation is faithful to the text of the Confession. This is a most valuable contribution to the promoting of sound teaching in the Former Soviet Union.
We hope, God willing, to translate more gospel tracts and other literature. The items of literature already translated by our Church and mentioned above may be obtained from The Free Presbyterian Bookroom, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6LE in Glasgow, which will give prices on enquiry.
Rev. D.A. Ross