Induction in Grafton
On Friday, 31 October 2014, the Australia and New Zealand Presbytery met in Grafton Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, for the induction of Rev George G Hutton to the pastoral charge of that congregation. Some friends from other congregations within the Presbytery had travelled to be present for this happy event in the Clarence River Valley, an area long associated with emigrant-Scots settlement.
Mr and Mrs Hutton had travelled from Scotland the previous week and arrived in time to be somewhat refreshed following the lengthy journey they had undertaken. The day of the induction was hot and humid; the Australian summer seemed to be already upon us.
On this solemn occasion, the Moderator, Rev J D Smith, Auckland,
preached from 1 Corinthians 1:21: “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe”. The main points were: the duty of preaching; the fact that preaching is so often a despised message, and nonetheless it is a divine appointment. Mr Smith stressed the words, “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believed”. God is sovereign and this is His appointed means, which therefore ought not to be despised.
In due course, Mr Hutton answered the usual questions put on such an occasion and signed the Formula. Thereafter, the Moderator engaged in solemn prayer and then received and admitted Mr Hutton to the pastoral charge of the Brushgrove/Grafton congregation. The Moderator and members of Presbytery gave the newly-inducted minister the right hand of fellowship. Thereafter, Rev E A Rayner addressed Mr Hutton, and Rev G B Macdonald the congregation. Several messages of goodwill were read from brethren overseas. Following hearty singing from Psalm 147:1-5 and the benediction, the newly-inducted minister met the congregation at the door.
The Lord’s goodness in this provision was noted, in that the induction took place exactly two years since Mr Rayner’s retirement took effect and all were glad that Mr Rayner could be present as a member of Presbytery to see the vacancy filled. Following the induction, a welcome supper, which the ladies of the congregation had prepared, was held in a local church hall.
We wish Mr and Mrs Hutton the Lord’s blessing as they settle into life in Grafton, and look to the Lord who commands the blessing to grant it in this corner of His vineyard. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor 1:18).
(Rev) G B Macdonald, Clerk of Presbytery
Scripture and Catechism Exercises
At its recent meeting, the Welfare of Youth Committee expressed concern at the decline in numbers of children and young people in the Church in the UK doing the Scripture and Catechism Exercises. We realise that part of the problem, particularly in rural areas, is the decline in numbers of young families and children, in ageing congregations. However, we request parents to encourage their children to do the exercises, which we hope may prove to be a blessing to their souls. We also wish that Kirk Sessions would do all within their power to encourage parents and children to be involved in these exercises.
(Rev) Donald Macdonald, Convener
College and Library Fund
By appointment of Synod, the second of the year’s two special collections for the College and Library Fund is due to be taken in congregations in December.
W Campbell, General Treasurer
The Free Presbyterian Magazine
2014
Volume 119
Editor:
Rev Kenneth D Macleod
Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee,
that it may be displayed because of the truth (Psalm 60:4)
Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
| Acknowledgements of Donations | 32,96,
128,192,256,352 | Church Information | 32,64,95,128,160,
192,224,255,288,319,352,379 |
|———————————————————————————|—————————|——————————————————————————-|————————————————–|
| Advice for a Seeking Soul
Thomas Brooks | 53 | Church Union
Matthew Vogan | 21 |
| Afflictions and the Glory of God
John Newton | 56 | Congregational Contributions for 2013 | 84 |
| “Be Ye Also Ready”
Rev J S Sinclair | 149 | Conversions at Pentecost, The: | |
| “Because the Preacher Was Wise”
Rev G G Hutton | 15 | 1. The Converts’ Previous State | 272 |
| Blood of Christ, The
W K Tweedie | 277 | 2. The Spirit’s Work Is Necessary | 299 |
| | | 3. The Effectual Work of the Spirit | 338 |
| | | 4. The Great Change
James Buchanan | 364 |
| Book Reviews: | | Covenant of Grace, The: | |
| Catechizing Our Children
Terry L Johnson | 219 | 1. The Grace of the Covenant | 108 |
| Christian’s Great Enemy, The
John Brown | 185 | 2. The Feast of the Covenant | 139 |
| Christ’s Glorious Achievements
C H Spurgeon | 282 | 3,4. What Is Involved in the Covenant? 171,203
Rev Roderick Macleod | |
| Expositions of Holy Scripture
J C Philpot | 251 | Dying Man’s Testament to His Church, A: | |
| Face of Jesus Christ, The
Archibald G Brown | 60 | 1. Durham’s Life and Writings | 312 |
| Faith-Shaped Life, The
Ian Hamilton | 26 | 2. What Is an Offence? | 343 |
| Men of Skye, The
Roderick MacCowan | 373 | 3. Public Scandal
Rev A W MacColl | 367 |
| Men of Sutherland
George Macdonald | 374 | Eastern Europe Mission News
Rev D A Ross | 249 |
| None But Jesus
John Flavel | 282 | Editorials: | |
| Our Southern Zion
David B Calhoun | 122 | Foundation for Faith, The? | 129 |
| Pleading for a Reformation Vision
David B Calhoun | 345 | Gospel and Grace | 33 |
| Power in the Pulpit
Henry C Fish | 155 | John Knox Remembered? | 353 |
| Prepared by Grace, for Grace
Joel R Beeke & Paul M Smalley | 154 | Joshua’s Encouragements | 1 |
| Selected Writings of Benjamin Morgan Palmer | 375 | Mighty God, The | 161 |
| Sermons of a Seceder
William Tiptaft | 315 | Passover, The | 289 |
| Silent Witnesses
Garry J Williams | 25 | Preaching and Sin | 193 |
| This God Is Our God
Archibald G Brown | 83 | Sabbath a Sign, The | 257 |
| Westminster Confession of Faith, The | 59 | Sabbath Rest, The | 225 |
| Cain
Henry Law | 209 | Throne of Grace, The – a Blessing | 65 |
| Causes of the Scottish Reformation
D Hay Fleming | 179,215,239,268,303 | Twilight of Christianity, The? | 97 |
| | | Every Need Supplied by Christ
Ralph Erskine | 177 |
| | | Family Worship
C H Spurgeon | 176 |
| | | Free Presbyterian Church in Australia: | |
| | | 1. Background – Presbyterianism in NSW before
the Disruption | 12 |
| | | 2. Background – Nineteenth-Century Declension | 44 |
| | | 3. The Church Established
Calvin MacKenzie | 77 |
| | | Holiness the Only Happiness
Samuel Shaw | 337 |
| Holiness of a Believer’s Children, The
Robert Stewart | 19 | Review Articles: | |
|————————————————————————|—–|————————————————————————————————————-|————-|
| Important Advice for Life
Samuel Shaw | 372 | Modern Evangelicalism
Evangelical Holiness , by Iain H Murray
reviewed by Roy Middleton | 278 |
| John Wycliffe – the Scottish Connection: | | Samuel Miller
An Able and Faithful Minister ,
by James Garretson | 321 |
| 1. His Life and Witness
Rev K M Watkins | 359 | Rules for Preaching Christ
Thomas Brooks | 183,236,334 |
| Learning from God’s Holiness
Thomas Boston | 119 | Satan Assaulting the Christian’s Faith
Ralph Erskine | 207 |
| Mbuma Zending Meeting 2014
Rev J R Tallach | 181 | Sermons: | |
| “Neither Poverty nor Riches”
W K Tweedie | 151 | Basis of Justification, The
David Black | 68 |
| Notes and Comments
27,62,90,125,156,187,
219,252,283,316,349,376 | | Breastplate of Righteousness, The
Mackintosh Mackay | 4,36 |
| Obituaries: | | Christ Cleansing the Temple
Thomas Dymock | 228 |
| Mr Ronald MacBeath | 57 | Christ’s Agony in the Garden
Alexander Grierson | 132,165 |
| Rev J A T van Dorp | 87 | God’s Power in Conversion
J W Alexander | 100 |
| Outlines of Sermons: | | Jehovah Our Righteousness
George Whitefield | 356 |
| Jesus Looking up to Heaven
John Kennedy | 58 | Salvation by Grace
Andrew Thomson | 292,327 |
| Sin and Dominion, Grace and Liberty
John Kennedy | 371 | Triumphant Persuasion, The
R M M’Cheyne | 197 |
| Peter Maclean
Neil Dewar | 112 | Spirit of Jesus, The
W K Tweedie | 248 |
| Place of the Sacraments in Worship, The: | | Synod Sermon: | |
| 1. Instituted Signs | 244 | All Power Given to Christ
Rev Neil M Ross | 260 |
| 2. Seals, Means and Badges | 273 | “That Old Serpent”
Henry Law | 144 |
| 3. Subsidiary Questions
Rev K M Watkins | 308 | Visit to Zimbabwe
Rev J R Tallach | 86 |
| Prayer: | | | |
| 1. What Prayer Is | 48 | | |
| 2. The Object of Prayer | 76 | | |
| 3. What is Necessary for Acceptable Prayer? | 116 | | |
| 4. Different Kinds of Prayer | 141 | | |
| 5. Its Effects
Charles Hodge | 175 | | |
| Protestant View
26,61,89,124,
155,187,254,348,376 | | | |