The Bulwark Magazine of the Scottish Reformation Society APRIL - JUNE 2011 // 75p April - June 2011 1 The Bulwark Magazine of the Scottish Reformation Society The Magdalen Chapel 41 Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JR Tel: 013 1220 1450 Email: [email protected] www.scottishreformationsociety.org.uk Registered charity: SC007755 Chairman Committee Members » Rev Dr S James Millar » Mr Norman Fleming Vice-chairman » Mr John Smart » Rev Maurice Roberts Secretary » Rev Kenneth Macdonald » Rev Douglas Somerset » Rev John J Murray Treasurer » Rev Andrew Coghill » Mr James Dickson CO-OPERATION OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY In pursuance of its objects, the Society may co- (a) To propagate the evangelical Protestant faith and those principles held in common by operate with Churches and with other Societies those Churches and organisations adhering to whose objects are in harmony with its own. the reformation; (b) To diffuse sound and Scriptural teaching on Magazine Editor: Rev Douglas Somerset the distinctive tenets of Protestantism and All literary contributions, books for review and Roman Catholicism; papers, should be sent to: (c) To carry on missionary work among The Magdalen Chapel adherents of the latter faith with a view to winning them to the doctrines of grace and to 41 Cowgate, Edinburgh the fellowship of the true Gospel; EH1 1JR (d) To produce and distribute evangelistic, religious and other literature in connection with The views expressed in articles are those of the promotion of the Protestant religion; the contributor and may not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or the Committee of the (e) To promote the associating together of men and women, and especially young people, Society. Scriptural references are from the A.V. for systematic Bible Study and holding of except where stated otherwise. meetings for the above specified purposes. DESIGNED & PRINTED BY: www.visionsolutionsni.co.uk Tel: 028 9073 1841 2 The Bulwark 1847-1927 JOHN FORBES MONCRIEFF Forbes Moncrieff was for many years that he was brought up in the Church of Treasurer of the Scottish Reformation Scotland and that he subsequently joined Society. A short obituary of him appeared the Free Church, perhaps as a result of his in the Original Secession Magazine for conversion. In 1872 he started writing a 1927-8, from which the following facts and series of ‘Addresses to the Young’ which the photograph are taken. he continued for fifty years. It seems that he went into the United John Forbes Moncrieff Free Church in 1900 was born in Perth on 5th but in 1912 he started July 1847. He belonged worshipping with the to the family of the Original Secession Moncrieffs of Culfargie congregation at Victoria which produced the Terrace, Edinburgh. This illustrious minister was the congregation Alexander Moncrieff, to which David Hay one of the founders of Fleming belonged. The the Secession Church in minister, John Sturrock, 1733. Forbes Moncrieff was Secretary of the was educated in Scottish Reformation Edinburgh and then joined Society from 1889- the merchant navy for a 1921. short while. Thereafter he became a chartered Forbes Moncrieff accountant which was himself was involved his employment for the in numerous religious rest of his life. He was societies, such as the married in 1872 and Waldensian Missions’ had two sons and two Aid Society, the Italian daughters. Evangelisation Society, and the Edinburgh Christian Sabbath We are not told about his conversion nor Society. He was a Vice President of the Knox about his early ecclesiastical connection Club and was for many years the Treasurer but we are inclined to think, from the of the Scottish Reformation Society. In opening paragraph of the following article, addition to his addresses for the young, April - June 2011 3 he wrote numerous pieces commenting whom he came in contact. As a cabman, he on the contemporary church situation. was a public servant and therefore obliged Probably the most substantial of these was to take people wherever they ordered, but if Our Giving (3rd ed., London, 1911), running it was the theatre then they were sure to get to 183 pages and discussing such subjects a text of scripture, at the very least, when as the duty of giving, how much we ought they disembarked, and these reproofs were to give, and right and wrong motives for blessed to not a few. He liked to display giving. a text of Scripture in his cab which led to several complaints and to difficulties over Another pamphlet, Spurious Charity, the renewal of his licence. Then, as now, the originally published by the Scottish Word of God was regarded with anxiety by Reformation Society the civil authorities. and reprinted in On one occasion 1962, criticises the his passenger was liberalism of his a Roman priest, and day, particularly in when leaving the its tolerant attitude cab, Peter said to towards Romanism. him, ‘Glorious news, One quotation that he sir—Behold the gives from Sturrock bridegroom cometh, has a contemporary go ye out to meet ring: ‘So long as there him’; news which are such things as Peter had reason to truth and error, it will believe was blessing be utterly impossible to his fare. to vindicate the conduct of men who, Though partially while professing to blind for several Perth, Scotland hold and teach the truth God has years before his death, Forbes revealed in his Word, deliberately Moncrieff contributed to the do what they can to encourage a system Original Secession Magazine to within the which they declare to be anti-christian and last month of his life. He died on 7th March full of deadly error and superstition.’ 1927. The following article is taken from the Free Presbyterian Magazine, August 1936. It Perhaps his most interesting pamphlet was is an extract from one of his pamphlets, but his account of Peter Jackson, The Missionary the pamphlet, unfortunately, is unspecified. Cabman, published about 1892. Jackson Judging by the opening sentence, a likely (1811-91) was a well known Edinburgh candidate is Why I left a large church and figure, somewhat along the lines of Robert joined a very small one/ by a member of the Flockhart with whom he was friendly. He original Secession Church, 8pp., published faithfully witnessed to and reproved all with in 1916. 4 The Bulwark What is Wrong with the Churches? J. Forbes Moncrieff WHEN I first belonged to the larger Church, and for many years afterwards, the services were simple and Presbyterian. The Word of God was expounded and the gospel was faithfully proclaimed. The teaching was neither one-sided nor apologetic, as it so often is nowadays. The singing was led by a precentor, without the interference of an organ, and it never was heartier. There was a choir, it is true, but it was not needed, and then, as now, the members of it would, to my mind, have done better service if they had sat in their own pews. There were no attractions for worldly people. It was enough that we went to church to worship God. April - June 2011 5 But now a great change has taken place. music being often of a very questionable A few congregations continue in the good character, anthems sung by choirs, and old ways; but it is to be feared very few. even solos during divine service. The fact is Nowadays when a city congregation calls that gradually merely musical people in the a minister one of the principal aims seems churches became a law to themselves, and too often to be to get a man who will attract now do pretty much as they please, and the crowd and get good collections. The ministers and sessions, even where they desire with too many apparently is not so have any desire to interfere, are in many much for a godly and faithful man who will cases, practically not allowed to do so. preach the gospel, as for a smart, shrewd, energetic man who will keep going all So much being made of music in the varied organisations which churches (quite apart from congregations have come true praise) it is not to be to think necessary. In a wondered at that, in an word, they want a man ... The desire age when it is considered who will, as the Americans necessary to do so much say, “make things hum”. with too many “to please the young apparently is not so people”, what are called Beginning with small things “Services of Praise”, which and slight innovations, much for a godly are really just concerts the larger Presbyterian and faithful man on the Lord’s Day, have Churches have gone on who will preach the become common. Some from bad to worse, and congregations actually there is no saying how gospel ... employ paid singers, much further they may and still call themselves go. To the introduction Presbyterian. It is when we of organs can be traced see how far astray music many of the evils which have followed. may lead people that the wisdom of our Beginning with small harmoniums, the godly forefathers in resisting the beginnings desire soon grew for more elaborate and of evil is seen, as well as the wisdom of expensive instruments, with much initial those less popular Churches which have expense and heavy annual outlay for refused to yield to the general clamour for upkeep and for organists’ salaries. The what, disguised by many fine sounding use of these instruments was responsible names, is simply a means of self-pleasing for the employment of many organists and in connection with what should be a wholly choirmasters who were musically efficient God-pleasing service. but spiritually quite unfitted to be engaged in any work connected with the Christian Even apart from those disgraceful cases Church.