The dispute between the Free Church of Scotland and the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), reached the Court of Session in the middle of last month. Proceedings were expected to last for three weeks. Both sides had previously entered into mediation and appeared to have reached a compromise. However, this compromise was rejected by the Free Church (Continuing).
One can understand that no compromise is possible on the question as to which body are the true successors of the Free Church. No doubt, if the court case continues to the bitter end, some decision will have to be made on the subject. But it should be clear that all that is at stake here is who are the true successors of the Free Church of 1900; the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland are the true successors of the Free Church of 1843. In 1893 Rev Donald Macfarlane and those who supported his stand took with them the testimony of 1843, which the then Free Church had rejected by passing the Declaratory Act of 1892.
It seems strange that the Free Church (Continuing) have come to insist on the “right of continued protest” against decisions of the General Assembly. It seems a recipe for disorder. Any member of Assembly who disagrees with a decision is at liberty to dissent, the effect of which is to keep his conscience clear from what he does not approve of.