MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERY (D.V.)
SOUTHERN: At Glasgow on Tuesday, 14th September, at 3 pm.
OUTER ISLES: At Stornoway on Tuesday, 31st August, at 1.00 pm.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: At Wellington, Friday, 2nd July, at 2.30 pm.
ZIMBABWE: At Bulawayo on Tuesday, 12th October, at 11.00 am.
URGENT REQUEST FROM ZIMBABWE MISSION
A VACANCY exists for a teacher in Chemistry/Physics at the John Tallach Secondary School, Ingwenya. Please contact, as soon as possible, the Clerk of the Foreign Mission Committee, Rev. J. R. Tallach, F. P. Manse, Raasay, Kyle, Ross-shire, IV40 9JB, Telephone, 01478 660216.
Rev J. R. Tallach, Clerk of Committee
SABBATH OBSERVANCE COMMITTEE WORK
The Sabbath Observance Committee is appointed annually by the Synod to bear witness to our particular testimony, as a denomination, to the need to maintain the sanctity of the Sabbath, as the Bible requires, “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). The Committee has traditionally carried out its duties by making the Synods views on the sanctity of the Sabbath known to Government ministers, members of the Royal Family, and to commercial and recreational institutions which may encroach on the sanctity of the Sabbath.
The Sabbath Observance Committee has instigated the publication of tracts in the past, in an effort to make the Scriptural necessity of true Sabbath Observation better known. From time to time it has drawn up resolutions relevant to its remit, for approval and adoption by the Synod. Each year the Committee presents a report of its work to the Synod, and has been again appointed at the Synod of May 1999.
In the past, the work of the Committee was made easier by the fact that Sabbath desecration was in many cases regarded as “newsworthy”. Alas! nowadays, Sabbath breaking is so common that it is seldom even mentioned in the Press. In these circumstances, it is much more difficult for the Committee to be as effective a witness as in the past, simply because we do not have information of what is happening in many parts of the country.
We would respectfully appeal to Kirk Sessions of our Church to inform us of any known Sabbath breaking within their jurisdiction, which can be considered to call for action by this Committee, by contacting the Clerk, Convenor, or any member of the Committee.
There are people even in our own Church who are suffering on account of their conscientious objections to being employed in work which is not necessary on the Sabbath Day. The Committee would be glad to support those who are being pressed into unnecessary work on the Sabbath by writing to their employers supporting their conscientious objections.
The members of the Committee are as follows: Convener: Rev D.J. MacDonald (Dornoch); Clerk: Rev R. Macleod (North Harris); Members: Rev H. Cartwright (Edinburgh); Rev B. Whear (Staffin); Mr E Fraser (Stratherrick); Mr A. Gillies, (Dingwall); and Mr H. Macleod (Dingwall).
Rev D. J. MacDonald (Convener).
LARNE COMMUNION
THE Larne Congregation Kirk Session has decided to change the date of the Communion from the second Sabbath in September to the first Sabath (D.V.), this year.
D. R. MacSween, Session Clerk
TRINITARIAN BIBLE SOCIETY CONFERENCE
THE Rev. Donald MacLean, Glasgow, is to be the Chairman of a Scottish Day Conference, organised by the Trinitarian Bible Society, to be held, God willing, in Inverness in September. The details are as follows:
Trinitarian Bible Society – SCOTTISH DAY CONFERENCE
Saturday, 11th September 1999, from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm, D.V.
The Station Hotel, Academy Street, Inverness
Speakers: Rev H M Cartwright (Edinburgh), Rev M H Watts (Salisbury),Mr D Paul Rowland (TBS General Secretary).
Chairman: Rev Donald MacLean, Glasgow
Brochures and Booking Forms available from: The Booking Secretary,
The Trinitarian Bible Society, Tyndale House, Dorset Road, London, SW19 3NN
(Tel: 0181-543-7857). Refreshments provided. All welcome.
Return to Table of Contents for The Free Presbyterian Magazine – July 1999