SEAMAN’S DECISION

Evening Star, Issue 22639, 4 May 1937, Page 1

SEAMAN’S DECISION

LOYAL TO THE SABBATH Because his boat, the steamer Lochness, belonging to David Macbrayne Ltd., Glasgow, leaves the island of Lewis at 11 o’clock each Sunday night for the mainland, a 30-year-old steward was called before a tribunal from, the Kirk Session of his church, the Applecross, Ross-shire, Congregation of the Free Preshyteriasi Church of Scotland. HIS VIEWS HEARD. Before meeting the tribunal the steward, Malcolm Campbell, of _Applecross, received a letter from his miriister, the Rev. Angus F. JVlacKay, reminding him the Synod of the church two or three years ago decided that communion could not be given to those employed on ships scheduled to enter or leave port on the Sabbath. He was asked by the. tribunal, which included the minister, an elder, Mr John Macaulay, wnd his own 80-year-old father, to state his position. ■ Behind locked doors in the little wooden church which stands on a bare hillside looking across the Coolins, the charges were read and his views heard. An hour later all left, the son walking behind his father. He had told the tribunal he had given up his job. Before the tribunal met a prayer meeting was attended by the congregation, many of whom, crofters and fishermen, walked miles from their houses. For some time the Free Presbyterian Church had sought to have the sailing of the Lochness put back to early Monday morning. RETROGRADE STEP? The recent plea of Lewis islanders asking Stornoway Town Council to stop the Sunday sailing of the steamer was rejected on the grounds that it would be a retrograde step. The council agitated for years to get the 11 p.m. Sunday departure, so that the ship might connect with the first train from Kyle and Mallaig. ‘ 1 Campbell is a strict observer of the Sabbath,” a member of the crew of the Lochness stated. “He does not work at all that day, even to washing his dishes. He does all his work on Saturday. He has left us in deference to the wishes of his father and ailing mother.

“ The only Sabbath-breaking in which he was involved was that he happened to be on board when wo left harbour at 11 on the Sunday night.” When a newspaper representative approached the Rev. Angus Mackay and pointed out that Campbell will not be entitled to unemployment relief because he has voluntarily, given up his job, Mr Mackay replied:— “ There are spiritual advantages infinitely more important than national prosperity.”