CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19971, 4 July 1930, Page 23

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. COLONIAL CHURCHES COMMITTEE. (XB.OU OUB OWN COBBKSPOND2NT.) LONDON, May 30. On the motion of the Marquis of Linlithgow, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (in session in Edinburgh) unanimously adopted a motion recording earnest sympathy with their fellow-Christians in itUiS.a in the grievous disabilities and Hardships to wliicii they are being exposed, and their solemn protest against tho deliberatq interlerence with religious liberty now exercised in that land. Lord Linlithgow described it as a unique attack in all the long and tragic history of persecution. Unlike all its forerunners, it was not pressed by those who sought to convert men from another faith or Church to their own, but rather by those who were concernea to blot out completely and for ever all belief in the spiritual nature of the universe. General Sir Charles Fergusson, who took part in the discussion on the report of the Colonial Churches. Committee, gave an account of impressions of religious life in New Zealand while he was Governor-General there, and stressed the need for more church workers being sent out. He said that in every big city in New Zealand they would find a beautiful St. Andrew's Church, great congregations, and a great spirit of vitality. But he would like to take them away from the busy parts to the more remote islands —for instance, to one little coral island with its laeoon and its palm trees. When he visited that island, a small deputation came on board his ship and asked if they would dispense with ceremonies because it was Sunday and their custom was not to hold ceremonies on a Sunday. Instead of ceremonies, he and his nartv attended church with practically the whole population of the island. They might have imagined at that service that it was a service at their own Scottish country kirk. They had the 'ooth Psalm, the 23rd Psnlm, and 2nd Paraphrase. (Applause.) The sermon, he admitted, was not up to the same standard. He was the preacher. (Laughter.) While it was true that these islands were Christian : ssd bv missionaries of their Wesleyan brethen, still their Scottish folk had penetrated to these islands, and in these services they saw their influence. Another _picture he would show them was a little Scottish community in the far north of New Zealand. They all bore Highland names. In that community of 1000 there were no fewer than 140 Mackays, and 70 of these were plain John Mackay. The old people there still spoke the Gaelic. (Applause.) That was. perhaps, the bright side of the picture. "He would paint it a little darker. There was a great need for workers. In New Zealand there were people living away in the backblocks who saw no one but a solitary neighbour for months at a time, who had no Sunday School and no minister. There were children living even in New Zealand who had not only never heard the Gospel, but had never even heard the name of Jesus except as an oath. He had only mentioned these things to try to stir up a little enthusiasm and excite some sympathy for those of their kinsfolk who were building up the Empire and trying to bring up their children loyally under great difficulties. I (Applause.) The Rev. Dr. White, who presided in the absence of the Moderator, said fie would like to thank Sjr Charles ffergusson for his contribution to the d\scussion, and to welcome him back to> his old country and the heart of the Church he had served so well. (Applause.) The deliverance was adopted.