Free Presbyterian Publications
Jared B Waterbury was a nineteenth-century American minister who, describing himself only as a “village pastor”, published a book entitled Advice to a Young Christian. The book took the form of a series of letters to a young female Christian; they are full of excellent spiritual advice and teaching. These letters were republished with editing – not least by updating the language – in 29 issues of The Young People’s Magazine, from 1999 onwards. The subjects covered include: “Read the Whole Bible”, “Study the Bible”, “Temptation and Prayer”, “The Danger of a Flimsy Christianity” and “So Rich a Reward”. These letters will prove helpful to those of any age who are young in the faith, and mature Christians too will find them very profitable. This excellent book has now been reprinted by Free Presbyterian Publications as a paperback of 115 pages and costs £6.75.
Another valuable book being reprinted is Memorials of Charles Calder Macintosh. It contains 23 sermons, a few fragments of sermons, as well as a biographical sketch and a “Sketch of the Religious History of the Northern Highlands”. Macintosh (1806-68) was a noted minister of Tain and Dunoon. This book, now scarce on the second-hand market, has been greatly appreciated. Further details will follow later.
Theological Conference 2017
It was the turn of the Glasgow congregation to host the 2017 Theological Conference over October 31 and November 1.
Rev J B Jardine was unable to complete his paper on the Temple as scheduled, so Rev A W MacColl stepped in to open the Conference on Tuesday afternoon with a paper on “Erasmus and Luther: the Debate over Divine Grace”. Although the Reformers were indebted to Erasmus for his scholarly work in producing an edition of the Greek New Testament and his witness against some of the errors in the Roman Catholic Church, he parted from Luther in maintaining that fallen man has power to turn to God and a will
capable of doing good. Luther held that fallen man was unable to return to God at any point. Erasmus’ view led to a moralistic, legalistic system of salvation as opposed to the Lutheran view of the necessity of free grace.
Mr Matthew Vogan’s paper on Tuesday evening, “The Early Reformation”, traced the influence of the Word and illustrated this under the headings of the Word Discovered, Expounded, Defended, Translated, Circulated, and the Grace of the Word. Though he preached 4000 sermons, Luther said, “I did nothing. The Word did everything.” Luther was helped in the translation of the Bible by Melanchthon and others, believing that “where the Word is, there is Christ”. 3000 copies of the Bible were sold immediately and many editions were printed over the years. Luther’s last words were in praise of the Word.
Rev A W MacColl’s second paper, on Wednesday morning, was on “James Bannerman and The Church of Christ“. Bannerman’s divisions were the nature, power, functions and mode of governance of the Church. Different uses of the word church were identified and its true work as a witness to the Truth established. True power derives from the headship of Christ. The power exercised in discipline is spiritual and ministerial, not lordly. Dr MacColl quoted Bannerman as saying, “The right of conscience to be free from the commandments and authority of man is identical with the right of every man to obey God”.
Rev D W B Somerset followed on Wednesday afternoon with a paper on “The Doctrine of Justification in Scotland before the Reformation.” Dr Somerset noted that the term righteousness bore different meanings over the period studied. He then traced the biblical doctrine of justification from Abraham, through David to Paul, and the development of it from Luther (the righteousness of God), Melanchthon (imputation and renewal), to Calvin (obedience to Christ). Among its other errors, The Council of Trent condemned “faith alone” and confused justification with sanctification. Dr Somerset traced strands of Roman Catholic doctrine in the fabric of Scottish religious life, including one promoted by Archbishop Hamilton (in his Catechism of 1552), who held a correct view of salvation by faith alone, yet mingled it with error and persecuted Protestantism wherever it showed itself.
The final paper, on Wednesday evening, was presented by Mr Frank Daubney, on Ulrich Zwingli. Having described the political and religious background in Switzerland in Zwingli’s time, Mr Daubney went on to note Zwingli’s brilliance as a student, his fight against corruption and indulgences emanating from Rome, and his noble resistance to being drawn in to Rome’s service, by the offer of high office. His meeting with Luther to discuss the Lord’s Supper was poignant. With 14 of the 15 points of difference being resolved, no agreement was reached on the remaining point, and when Luther
departed, he refused to shake hands with Zwingli and left him in tears. Though he lectured his way through much of the New Testament and the Psalms, little survives of his literary heritage. Zwingli died on the field of battle, but the Reformation did not die and his name is in heaven above.
The discussion following each of the papers gave added value to the Conference. Though the numbers attending were disappointingly low, the quality of the papers was high and did not disappoint. Hopefully a wider audience will be found for the good work of preparation done, in the pages of this Magazine and on the Church website. JRT
Meetings of Presbytery (DV)
Asia Pacific: At Auckland, on Friday, January 26, at 9.30 am.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway, on Tuesday, February 27, at 11 am.
Southern: At Glasgow, on Tuesday, February 27, at 2 pm.
Northern: At Dingwall, on Tuesday, March 6, at 2 pm.
Western: At Lochcarron, on Tuesday, March 13, at 11 am.
Zimbabwe: At Bulawayo, on Tuesday, March 13, at 11 am.
Acknowledgement of Donations
The General Treasurer acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations:
General Fund: Estate of the late Euphemia Cameron, £5000.
Jewish & Foreign Missions Fund: Providence Strict Baptist Chapel, Irthlingborough, for Zimbabwe Mission, £555.
Congregational Treasurers acknowledge with sincere thanks the following donations:
Achmore: Sustentation Fund: Anon, £200.
Fort William: Anon, £500. Communion Expenses: Anon, £25, £40.
Glasgow: Anon, for congregational car expenses, £5, £100 per Rev RML; Family of the late Margaret MacRae, £50; Estate of the late Miss Jamesina MacDonald, £1000. Bus Fund: Anon, £20. Eastern Europe Fund: Anon, £70, £60, £80, £65, £55, £70. Magazines Fund: Anon, £10.
Halkirk: N Pearce, £140. Communion Expenses: Friend, £90; Anon, £100.
Laide: Friend, Breasclete, £100; Friend, £10. Eastern Europe Fund: Friend, Breasclete, £150, £200; Friend, Ullapool, £10; Anon, Aultbea, £30, £30; Friend, Arrina, £40, £40; Friend, Shieldaig, £100; Friend, Holland, £10; Friend, Achgarve, £20; Isleview Residents, £3, £5; Isleview Residents, for Bibles, £4, £3, £5, £4. Magazine Fund: Anon, Aultbea, £30; Anon, Laide, £40; Friend, Mellon Charles, £20. Sustentation Fund: Anon, Aultbea, £40, £30, £30, £30; Friend, £10.
Lochcarron: Communion Expenses: Anon, £50.
Ness: Anon, where most needed, £40, £100. Friend, Northern Ireland, £40 per Rev AWM. Communion Expenses: Anon, £60; IAM, £100.
North Harris: Anon, for Sabbath School outing expenses, £50, £20, £20, £20, £10; MacDonald Family, £250. Communion Expenses: LMA, £100; CMK, £20.
North Tolsta: Anon, where most needed, £40; Anon, £45. Communion Expenses: Friend of the Cause, £30; Mrs MacLeod, 10 New Tolsta, £40.
Portree: Anon, for Sabbath School books, £30; Estate of the late Calum MacPhee, £1000 per Rev IDM. Bus Fund: Anon, £10. Jewish & Foreign Missions Fund: Anon, £2000. Sustentation Fund: CMP, £20, £20 per Rev IDM.
Raasay: Anon, £50; Anon, In loving memory of the late Jessie Nicolson, £329.50.
Stornoway: Communion Expenses: Anon, £105, £20. Eastern Europe Fund: Anon, £130.
FREE PRESBYTERIAN PLACES OF WORSHIP
Scotland
Aberdeen: 2 Alford Place, AB10 1YD, Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Tuesday, 7.15 pm. Rev D W B Somerset BSc DPhil, 18 Carlton Place, Aberdeen, AB15 4BQ; tel: 01224 645250.
Bracadale Duirinish-Strath: Struan: Sabbath 12 noon. Glendale and Vatten: Sabbath 6pm, alternately. Thursday 7 pm, rotating between Struan, Vatten and Glendale. Contact Rev I D MacDonald; tel: 01478 612110.
Dingwall: Church, Hill Street: Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Beauty (Balblair): Sabbath 6.30 pm, Thursday 7.30 pm. Contact Mr A MacLean: 01349 862855.
Dornoch: Sabbath 11.30 am. Manse tel: 01862 810615. Bonar: Sabbath 6 pm. Wednesday 7.30 pm (alternately in Dornoch and Bonar). Laig: Church and Manse; Rogart: Church; no F P services. Contact Mr A Sutherland; tel: 015494 02115.
Dundee: Manse. No F P Church services.
Edinburgh: 63 Gilmore Place, EH3 9NU, Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Thursday 7.30 pm. Rev D Campbell, 35B Barnton Avenue West, Edinburgh EH4 6DF; tel: 0131 312 8227, e-mail: dcampbell1560@gmail.com.
Farr (by Daviot): Sabbath 12 noon. Tomatín: Sabbath 12 noon. Stratherrick: Sabbath 12 noon. (Each of these services is held once in three weeks as intimated). Farr: Thursday 7.30 pm (as intimated). Contact Mr M J Schouten; tel: 01463 221776.
Fort William: Monzie Square, Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm as intimated. Manse: 15 Perth Place, PH33 6UL; tel: 01397 708553. Contact Mr D A McKinnon. Tel: 01397 702597.
Gairloch (Ross-shire): Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm. Prayer meeting in Strath, Thursday 7.30 pm. Rev A E W MacDonald MA, F P Manse, Gairloch, Ross-shire, IV21 2BS; tel: 01445 712247.
Glasgow: St Jude’s Church, 137 Woodlands Road, G3 6LE. Sabbath 11 am and 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev Roderick MacLeod BA, 4 Laurel Park Close, Glasgow, G13 1RD; tel: 0141 954 3759.
Greenock: Sabbath 2.30 pm, held in Free Church of Scotland Hall, 14 Jamaica Street, PA15 1XX, Sabbath 2.30 p.m.
Halkirk: Sabbath 11.30 am; Thursday 7.30 pm. Rev W A Weale, F P Manse, Bridge Street, KW12 6YG; tel: 01847 831758. Thurso: Sabbath 5 pm; Strathy: Sabbath: 6.30 pm (first and third Sabbaths of month).
Harris (North): Tarbert: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm. Tarbert and Stockinsh: Tuesday 7.30 pm alternately. Rev J B Jardine BD, F P Manse, Tarbert, Isle of Harris, HS3 3DF; tel: 01859 502253, e-mail: northharris.fpc@btopenworld.com.
Harris (South): Leverburgh: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Sheilobost: as intimated. Manse tel: 01859 520271. Contact Rev J B Jardine; tel: 01859 502253.
Inverness: Chapel Street, IV1 1NA, Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev K D Macleod BSc, 11 Auldcastle Road, Inverness, IV2 3PZ; tel: 01463 712872.
Kinlochbervie: Sabbath 6 pm; Scourie: Sabbath 11:30 am, Tuesday 7 pm (as intimated). Contact Mr A Ross; tel 01971 502099.
Kyle of Lochalsh: Sabbath 6 pm. Manse tel: 01599 534933. Contact Rev D A Ross; tel: 01445 731340.
Laide (Ross-shire): Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev D A Ross. F P Manse, Laide, IV22 2NB; tel: 01445 731340.
Lochcarron: Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Manse.
Lochinver: Church. No F P services at present. Manse tel: 01571 844484.
Ness: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Rev A W MacColl MA PhD, F P Manse, Swainbost, HS2 0TA; tel: 01851 810228.
North Tolsta: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Thursday 7 pm; 1st Monday of month 7 pm. Manse tel: 01851 890325. Contact Rev J R Tallach; tel: 01851 702501.
North Uist: Bayhead: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Thursday 7.30 pm (fortnightly). Manse tel: 01876 510233. Contact: Rev J B Jardine; tel: 01859 502253.
Oban: Church and Manse. No F P services at present.
Perth: Pomarium, off Leonard Street. Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Contact Rev D Campbell; tel: 0131 312 8227.
Portree: Sabbath 12 noon, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Rev I D MacDonald, F P Manse, Achachork, Portree, IV51 9HT; tel: 01478 612110.
Raasay: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Saturday 7 pm. Contact Rev I D MacDonald; tel: 01478 612110.
Shieldaig: Sabbath 11 am; Applecross: Sabbath 6pm. Tuesday 7 pm (alternately in Shieldaig and Applecross). Shieldaig manse tel: 01520 755259, Applecross manse tel: 01520 744411. Contact Rev D A Ross; tel: 01445 731340.
Staffin: Sabbath 12 noon, 5 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Rev D Macdonald, 4 Clachan Road, Staffin, IV51 9HY tel: 01470 562243.
Stornoway: Matheson Road, Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Thursday 7.30 pm. Achmore: Sabbath 12 noon; Tuesday 7 pm. Rev J R Tallach MB ChB, 2 Fleming Place, Stornoway, HS1 2NH; tel: 01851 702501.
Tain: Church and Manse. Fearn: Church. No F P services. See Dornoch and Bonar.
Uig (Lewis) Miavaig: Sabbath 12 noon Gaelic, 6 pm English; Wednesday 12 noon. Manse tel: 01851 672251. Contact Rev A W MacColl; tel: 01851 810228.
Ullapool: Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Manse: Quay Street, IV26 2UE; tel: 01854 612449.
England
Barnoldswick: Kelbrook Road, Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Friday 7.30 pm; Wednesday 8 pm, alternately in Sandbach and Gatley. South Manchester: Sabbath 6.00 pm, in Trinity Church, Massie Street, Cheadle (entry at rear of building). Rev K M Watkins BA, 252 Briercliffe Road, Burnley, BB10 2DQ; tel: 01282 835800.
Broadstairs: Sabbath 11 am, 5 pm at Portland Centre, Hopeville Ave, St Peter’s; Tuesday 7 pm at Friends’ Meeting House, St Peter’s Park Rd. Contact Dr T Martin; tel: 01843 866369.
London: Zoar Chapel, Varden St E1. Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Rev J MacLeod MA, 6 Church Ave, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6BU; tel: 0208 309 1623.
Northern Ireland
Larne: Station Road. Sabbath 11.30 am, 6.30 pm. Contact Rev K M Watkins; tel: 01282 835800.
Canada
Chesley, Ontario: Church and Manse, 40 Fourth Street SW. Sabbath 10.30 am, 7.30 pm; Tuesday 8 pm. Contact: Mr David Kuiper; tel: 519 363 0367; or Mr Gilbert Zekveld; tel: 519 363 5899. Manse tel: 519 363 2502.
Vancouver: Burnaby Community Room, 3605 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC, V5G 4X5. Sabbath 9.30 am, 6.30 pm. Contact: Mr Douglas Spratt, tel: 604 990 4051, or Mr David Kuiper; tel: 519 363 0367. E-mail: info@fpchurchvancouver.ca.
USA
Santa Fe, Texas: Church and Manse, 4031 Jackson St 77517. Sabbath 10.30 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Contact Mr Joseph Smith; tel: 409 927 1564.
Australia
Grafton, NSW: 172 Fitzroy Street. Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev G G Hutton BA PhD, 3 Martin Crescent, Junction Hill, NSW 2460; tel: (02) 6644 6174; e-mail: grafton@intermode.on.net.
Sydney, NSW: Corner of Oxford and Regent Streets, Riverstone. Sabbath 10.30 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev G B Macdonald BSc, 60 Hamilton St, Riverstone, NSW 2765; tel: (02) 9627 3408; e-mail: sydneyfpchurch@aapt.net.au.
New Zealand
Auckland: 45 Church Street, Otahuhu. Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev J D Smith, 9 Pedlar Place, Conifer Grove, Auckland; tel: 09 282 4195.
Gisborne: 463a Childers Road. Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev C Hembd, 14 Thomson St, Gisborne 4010; tel: 06 863 3140.
Tauranga: 45 Cliff Road, Sabbath 11 am, 7 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Contact: Mr Dick Vermeulen; tel: 075443677.
Wellington (Carterton): 124 High Street North, Carterton. Sabbath 11 am, 4 pm; 3rd Wednesday of the month (not secondary school holidays) 7.30 pm. Contact: Mr Hank Optland, P O Box 150, Carterton, 5743; tel: 02 7432 5625.
Singapore
Singapore: Sabbath: 9.30 am and 5.30 pm; Beacon International College, 70 Martaban Road, Singapore 328667 (entrance is opposite 37/39 Mandalay Road); Wednesday: 7.45 pm, Lion Building B, #02-11, 12 Arumugam Road, Singapore 409958. Contact: Mr Bernard Yong, 4 Chuan Place, Singapore 554822; tel: (65) 6383 4466, fax: 6383 4477, e-mail: byong1@singnet.com.sg.
Ukraine
Odessa: F P Mission Station, 3 Pestelya Street, 65031. Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 6 pm. Rev D Levtytskyi; tel: 00 38 048 785 19 24; e-mail: dlevtytskyi@gmail.com; or contact Mr I Zadorozhnyi, P O Box 100, Odessa-91, 65091; e-mail: antipa@eurocom.od.ua.
Zimbabwe
Bulawayo: Lobengula Township, PO Magwegwe, Bulawayo. Rev S Khumalo, F P Manse, Stand No 56004, Mazwi Road, Lobengula, PO Magwegwe, Bulawayo; tel: 00263 9407131, e-mail: skhumalo.byo@gmail.com.
Ingwenya: Church and Secondary School. Rev A B MacLean. Postal Address: Ingwenya Mission, Private Bag T5445, Bulawayo.
Mbuma: Church and Hospital. Rev N Sibanda. Postal Address: Mbuma Mission Hospital, Private Bag T5406, Bulawayo.
New Canaan: Church.
Zenka: Church. Rev M Mloyi. Postal Address: Private Bag T5398, Bulawayo; cell phone: 0026311 765032.