Langholm Old Church Parish Magazine
N0.95 Price 1/2 - with LIFE AND HOME - 6d LOCAL MAGAZINE ONLY APRIL1969.
Minister: Revd. Tom Calvert, The Old Manse, Langholm. Tel. 256.
Session Clerk: Alexander Hutton, Savings Bank, Market Place, Langholm
Clerk to Board: Mr. E. C. Armstrong, Town Hall, Langholm , Tel. 255
Treasurer: Mr. Donald Lamont, Rosevale Street.
Organist: Mr. A. C. Mallinson, A.R.C.O., L.R.A.M., 72 Henry Street.
Church Officer: Mr. W Elliot, 3 Buccleuch Terrace.
Hall Caretaker: Mr Donaldson, 7 West Street.
Text for April - “And the residue thereof he maketh a god”. Isaiah 44. 17.
The prophet is deeply concerned about the tendency of the people to go over to idol worship, and is here attacking this superstition in one of the most powerful ways. Not by frontal attack as was common among the humourless Hebrew prophets, not by preaching against an evil thing, but by the method of satire. This was the way Robert Burns dealt with the narrow Calvinism of his day, by showing the absurdity of a loving God .predestining some of His children for salvation and some for everlasting death. You are all familiar with the opening lines of Holy Willie’s Prayer, “O Thou, who in the heaven does dwell, Who, as it pleases best Thysel, Sends ane to heaven, an’ ten to "hell, A’ for thy glory. And not for ony gude or ill, They’ve done afore Thee”. This was the method of the prophet as seen in the verses surrounding our text.
He tells a story which shows idol worship inconsistent with common sense. Look at his description of an idol in the verses leading up to our text. He asks, what are your gods after all? What are they made of and what can you expect them to do for you? Your god is a piece of wood, which until recently was growing in the forest, an oak or ash or cypress tree, being nourished by the rain and sun. And who was it that fashioned your god? Was it the power that made the sun and rain, that enabled the tree to grow? No, it was a workman like any one of yourselves. First a woodman cut down the tree with his axe, and then other men with their tools fasihioned it into a god. And now his satire becomes more subtle. He asks, what is your god after all? It is only made of a bit of wood that was left over after you ‘had used the best of the tree to cook your food and warm yourselves. These things are necessary to life, but in this matter of making a god, you have used the wood in a way that shows secondary value being placed upon the deity. You found a bit of wood left over after having used the rest of the tree for cooking and warming yourselves, and you take the leavings and out of this you make a god. And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even a graven image. He falleth down to it and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, deliver rne, for thou art my god.”
I am not saying there was anything wrong in these people using wood to cook meals and warm themselves.
Man is not to be blamed for looking after the legitimate needs of the body. The body has to be fed and nourished, and man has to protect himself from cold. We are always full of admiration for people who have it in them to make ample provision for their material needs, so long as they do it without depriving their fellow men of their share. The Jews were good at this, hard workers, thrifty and ingenious. I have seen something of their work in modern Palestine where they have terraced the stoney hillsides and made arable ground and cropyielding where the Arabs looked upon it all as waste desert. All through history this has been characteristic of the Hebrew people.
And we do not scorn these 'idol makers for giving religion a place in life.
He made an idol, but remember that for primitive man that was the best he could do in thinking of the deity. He had never heard of Jesus, and the grace of God as set forth in the Gospel. But he felt a deep sense of need for something that we call God, and sought after ‘God in the best way he knew. Which means that man, primitive man as this man was in some degree, and modern man such. as we know today, is incurably religious. In lands visited for the first time by missionaries they have found people worshipping some kind of deity, often just a crudely carved doll. As the hymn says, “The heathen in his blindness, bows down to wood and stone”. Mankind is different from all other creatures that God has made, he has needs that earth cannot fully satisfy. And this is why the ancient Greeks in search for a word to denote man called him Anthropos”, a word which means the ‘upward-looking one’. Man -is a creature with spiritual needs that prompt him to lift his face to God. “Unless above himself he can erect himself, how poor a thing is man”. We know that people who have met with outstanditng success are never really satisfied with their attainments. Andrew Carnegie, the poor Scottish iboy who went to America and by hard work made a fortune of overs fifty millions, looking back upon his boyhood said, “Nowadays nothing tastes”. “O God”, prayed Augustine, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our spirits are restless until they find rest in Thee”.
The real bite in our April text is not that these ancient Hebrews gave themselves to idol worship, but that they gave worship and religion such a secondary place.
A small bit of the wood of the tree they gave to make a god, and that was not until they had used the best of the tree to feed and warm themselves. “Out of the residue he maketh a god” the residue of interest was given to God. They gave God that which was left over and what they had no further use for, and that is how masses of people are treating God today, giving him what is left over. If there is anything left over they give to religion, to prayer to worship and the work of the Church and the building of the kingdom of God in the world.
Take Church attendance as an example. Where do the majority of people place it in their list of priorities? Very low indeed. Yet there are many who give God not what is left over of the tree but the first and choice part. In my Palm Sunday sermon about , the things people lent to Jesus to help Him fulfil His earthly ministry, a cradle at Bethlehem, five. loaves and two fishes to feed the hungry, and a donkey to ride upon into Jerusalem, I remarked that in the Old Parish Church of Langholm where we have over 900 members, if every one was willing to lend Jesus one hour each week for worship, what a grand and ‘happy and wonderful Church Service we would have every Lord’s Day.
And the same thing applies to giving to the Church. At our Annuarl Meeting of the Congregation a few weeks ago, our Church Treasurer remarked, when discussing that we have carried over a deficit balance of £250 from last year, that if every member gave 2/- per week we would meet all our growing financial liabilities with £1,000 left over. But the reason why we have to make all kinds of special efforts like jumble sales to support the Church is that at least 50 per cent. of our members are failing in their duty to give as the Lord hath prospered them, or are like those old pagan Hebrews who gave only to God the little bit of the tree they had no further use for.
And the same thing is true in regard to Christian service. Someone remarked in the papers the other day that when someone is told by the doctor to take things more easily, nearly always the first thing they give up is service to the Church. For many people, who began their Church membership well, they may not have lapsed altogether, but the service they are now rendering to the cause of Christ is a matter of residue what is left over if anything, after all other activities and interests have been met.
I think Jesus must have had our text in mind when He said to His followers, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” and all other things will come in their right place.
Of course it is all a matter of keeping things in their right place. The vast number of the people in this land are far from being hostile to religion; the vast number are at hearr well meaning religious people who have grown half-hearted. They quite rightly want to get their families all the best things in life, but religion isn't one of the things that holds a high place.
Away back in 1935 the late Archbishop Temple was addressing students of Oxford University, and speaking to them about the changing attitude to religion in the land, he said it was very like a shop window in which overnight some mischievous person had got in, and changed all the price labels round, so that the cheap things were marked with expensive labels and the valuable things marked cheap. and so we find ourselves being taken in. And this brings me to the question, does it matter in the end. of the day what place we give to religion? If I say it matters so much that in the end of the day it is the only thing that matters, that would sound like popular pulpit talk, BUT IS IT NOT TRUE? What is it that matters most when we have had our fill of ambition and success and achievement? Not the things that people have set their hearts upon. When the Titanic sank in mid-Atlantic on 14th April, 1912, when 700 people were saved and 1,635 lost, it is told of a Canadian lady who was a passenger on the great ship. In her cabin she had jewels and gems worth a fortune. After being allocated a place in one of the ship’s lifeboats, she was seen to rush back to her cabin and grasp what do you think? Her jewels? No, a good luck pin and two oranges. For you see, the good luck pin was her idea of prayer, and while jewels could do nothing to sustain life in an open boat upon the high seas, oranges could quench thirst and preserve life. And for all of us there is coming a time when the things we count important just now are going to mean very little, and when something many people have very little time for will be found. most important.
In the last chapter of H. G. Wells novel, Mr. Britling Sees It Through, he represents Mr. Britling, the schoolmaster, uttering these words as he contemplates the death of his own son, and all the the strangely mingled glory and tragedy of the times; “Religion is the first thing and the last thing, and until a man has found God and been found of God, he begins at no beginning and ends at no end. He may have his friendships, his loyalties, his scraps of honour. But all these fall into place and life falls into place only with God.”
LETTER FROM THE MINISTER
Dear Fellow Member,
I write this letter on the eve of Easter Sunday when people in many lands send greetings to each other, wisihing a happy Easter. Easter Sunday is a time wihen most churches are filled , to overflowing. Dr. Ronald Selby Wright, minister of Cannongate Parish in Edinburgh tells in one of his books how Cannon gate Church is filled on Easter Sunday, and how one of his congregation said to him one Easter, “Wouldn’t it be just grand if every Sunday were like Easter Sunday”. Whether or not our Old Parish has a large congregation on Easter Sunday I extend to all our members the wish of a happy Easter.
Visit of Trinity College Choir
The Trinity College Students Choir is visiting the Hawick Presbytery next week, and will visit Langholm on Wednesday, 9th April and provide a Grand Concert in the Buccleuch Hall commencing at 7.30 p.m. The concert will be conducted by the Rev. Professor Dr. William Barclay, well known for his publications and T.V. appearances. Admission by ticket 3/- for adults, children half price.
On Sunday, 13th April the 28 students making up the choir who are all future ministers, will be allocated to preach in the churches of Hawick Presbytery at the Morning Service. The student appointed to preach in Langholm Old at the Morning Service on that Sunday is the Rev. Arnold Tail Sims, B.A., B.D., an American minister who is working for his Ph.D. in Trinity College, Glasgow. Mr. Sims comes from Atlanta, Georgia. As well as Working for this Ph.D. in Trinity College, Mr. Sims is assistant minister to Rev. Archie Russell in Anderston Parish Church, Glasgow. I do hope we will have a good conrgregation to give Mr. Sims a good impression of how the Border people love and attend their churches.
Annual Meeting of the Old Parish Congregation
The meeting was held after the "Morning Service on Sunday, 23rd March and had an improved attendance. The Church Treasurer submitted the annual Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st December 1968, duly audited. The Statement showed a deficit of £250 on 1968 carried forward to the present year, and the Church Treasurer explained that the minister was visiting the members of the congregation seeking an increase of contributions by Deed of Covenant, and was meeting with some success. The Treasurer, Mr. Donald Lamont, was warmly thanked for his efficient services, and also Mr. Edward C. Armstrong for his services as auditor. The Session Clerk’s report showed that we began 1968 with a membership of 858 and during the year received 19 by profession of faith, 32 by certificate, making a total membership to date of 909. The number of elders 26 the number of baptisms 37, and that the number who communicated at least once during the year 502. Thanks were expressed to Mr. Hutton for his services as Session Clerk.
The Clerk to the Board reported that the had met on seven occasions during the year, and that the main concern of the meetings had been with finance. That the Autumn Fair had proved an outstanding success, and realised well over £400, and he thanked the organisers and all who supported the effort. Also reported that recently it was decided to sell the two houses of the Chalmers Trust property in Charles Street New at the price of £2,400 and that this sum had been invested in the Langholm Town Council in 73% per cent. bonds. The Clerk to the Board was also warmly thanked for his good services.
Women’s World Day of Prayer
The Langholm Churches held a United Service in our Old Parish Church on Friday, 7th March, which had a large attendane. The Service was led by Mrs. Hutton, president of the Young Wives Fellowship and representing the Old Parish Church, Mrs. J. Morrison representing the Erskine Parish Church, Mrs. Dickson representing All Saints Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Escott representing the Langholm Congregational Church. All attending were deeply impressed by the manner in» which the Service was conducted.
Guild Sale of Work
The annual Guild Sale of Work held on Saturday, 22nd March realised the sum of £290. The Sale of Work was opened by Mrs. Georgina Wood who spoke of the happy associations she had enjoyed with the ladies of the Guild While serving as Secretary. I took the opportunity of thanking both Mr. and Mrs. Wood for the part they had played in the life of the Old Parish Church during the past nine years of their residence in Langholm, and the regret we all felt of their impending departure. A presentation to Mrs. Wood of an electric toaster was made by Miss Jeannie Graham on behalf of the Guild, and in appreciation of the splendid service she had rendered as Guild Secretary and pianist. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs. T. Calvert, Guild president, to all who had supported the Sale of Work by gifts to the stalls, donations, attendance, and all who had served on the stalls and served teas. Also for the gifts of Jumble and those who had served on the stalls at the Jumble Sale on the previous evening.
Celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated on Sunday, 27th April at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. with Communion Thanksgiving at 6 p.m. First communicants will be received into membership at the commencement of the Morning Communion Service. Classes for young people wishing to become members of the Church are held immediately after the Evening Service throughout April. I will be glad to visit sick and elderly in their homes with private Communion during the month following Communion.
Special Services
As noted above, the Mornring Service on Sunday, 13th April will be conducted by the Rev. Arnold Tail Sims, B.D. an American post graduate student in Trinity College, Glasgow. A retiring offering will be taken at the close of this Service on behalf of Trinity College Mission in Glasgow. On Sunday, 20th April the Evening Service will be led by the Langholm Town Band, when Lessons will be read by members of the Band, and a trio from the Band will sing The Old Rugged Cross. On Sunday, 27th April celebration of Holy Communion as noted above. On Sunday, 4th May the Evening Service will be attended by the members of the Star of Eskdale Chapter No. 550 with Worthy Matron Mrs. Elizabeth Borthwick of Hillview, Buccleuch Square, leading the attendance.
Boys’ Brigade Annual Display and Inspection
The 1st Langholm Company of the Boys’ Brigade holds the Annual Display and Inspection in the Buccleuch Hall on Friday, 11th April, commencing at 7.30 p.m. The Inspecting Officer will be Group Captain E. G. F. Hill, Officer Commanding R.A.F. Carlise. I hope there will be a large attendance of parents and friends.
Minister’s Visitation of Elders Districts
I am continuing the visitations contending with many interruptions of evening meetings and outside commitments. During April I hope to complete the Old Town and commence Caroline Street, Eskdaill and Henry Streets. The purpose of this special visitation was given in the January Parish Magazine.
Sympathy with the Bereaved
James Douglas of Ewesbank passed away on 27th February at the age of 90. His funeral took place at Melrose on 3rd March. He was a wonderful character who lived four happy years in Langholm with his son and daughter-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Peter Douglas at Ewesbank. James Douglas rendered distinguished service in the First World War, earning the D.C.M. and M.M., and a special honour from Russia, while a prisoner of war. After the war he served as chaffeur at Abbotsford, where he was held in very high esteem by the Scott family. Sincere sympathy with his family, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Douglas at Ewesbank and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Douglas at Coldstream.
Celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated on Sunday, 27th April at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. with Communion Thanksgiving at 6 p.m. First communicants will be received into membership at the commencement of the Morning Communion Service. Classes for young people wishing to become members of the Church are held immediately after the Evening Service throughout April. I will be glad to visit sick and elderly in their homes with private Communion during the month following Communion.
Special Services
As noted above, the Mornring Service on Sunday, 13th April will be conducted by the Rev. Arnold Tail Sims, B.D. an American post graduate student in Trinity College, Glasgow. A retiring offering will be taken at the close of this Service on behalf of Trinity College Mission in Glasgow. On Sunday, 20th April the Evening Service will be led by the Langholm Town Band, when Lessons will be read by members of the Band, and a trio from the Band will sing The Old Rugged Cross. On Sunday, 27th April celebration of Holy Communion as noted above. On Sunday, 4th May the Evening Service will be attended by the members of the Star of Eskdale Chapter No. 550 with Worthy Matron Mrs. Elizabeth Borthwick of Hillview, Buccleuch Square, leading the attendance.
Boys’ Brigade Annual Display and Inspection
The 1st Langholm Company of the Boys’ Brigade holds the Annual Display and Inspection in the Buccleuch Hall on Friday, 11th April, commencing at 7.30 p.m. The Inspecting Officer will be Group Captain E. G. F. Hill, Officer Commanding R.A.F. Carlise. I hope there will be a large attendance of parents and friends.
Minister’s Visitation of Elders Districts
I am continuing the visitations contending with many interruptions of evening meetings and outside commitments. During April I hope to complete the Old Town and commence Caroline Street, Eskdaill and Henry Streets. The purpose of this special visitation was given in the January Parish Magazine.
Sympathy with the Bereaved
James Douglas of Ewesbank passed away on 27th February at the age of 90. His funeral took place at Melrose on 3rd March. He was a wonderful character who lived four happy years in Langholm with his son and daughter-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Peter Douglas at Ewesbank. James Douglas rendered distinguished service in the First World War, earning the D.C.M. and M.M., and a special honour from Russia, while a prisoner of war. After the war he served as chaffeur at Abbotsford, where he was held in very high esteem by the Scott family. Sincere sympathy with his family, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Douglas at Ewesbank and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Douglas at Coldstream.
Beatrice Hogg, 3 George Street, passed away on Sunday, 9th March in the Hope Hospital at the age of 83. She would have been 84 on 30th March. Beatrice and her husband John Hogg celebrated their Diamond Wedding four years ago. She was loved by all who knew her for her rare neighbourly qualities of helpfulness and syampathetic understanding. Our sincere sympathy with her husband, John Hogg, and the family, Margaret, Tom and Alec.
Margaret Graham Cuthbertson, 18 Eskgdaill Street, passed away suddenly on 13th March, at the age of 79. In latter years she was confined to her home and chair with failing health, but was always very alert and interestesd in all that was happening in the community, especially her church. l have had special privilege along with her elder, Douglas Anderson, in celebrating private Communion with her in her home for the past few years. She was blessed With a devoted husband in William Cuthbertson, who was wonderful in the way the looked after the house and his beloved partner. They enjoyed 49 happy years totgether in marriage. Our deepest sympathy with William Cuthbertson and the family, Harry, Jean, Graham and Peggy who were devoted to their mother.
Adam Waldie, 59 Caroline Street, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, 1st April, at the age of 51. He was completely devoted to his home and family. Our every tender sympathy with Mrs. Ellen Waldie, well known as a District Nurse, and the boys Ian and Don.
With warm greetings to all our people.
Yours sincerely,
TOM CALVERT, Minister.
TREASURER’S REPORT
F. W. O. £60 0 10
Ordinary £13 15 4
YOUNG WIVES FELLOWSHIP
On Tuesday, 18th the Young Wives Fellowship entertained members of the Over 60 Club. Mrs. Dorothy Hutton, president presided. Mr. Walter Allan assisted by Mr. J. Murray showed a delightful collection of slides depicting Old Langholm.
On Friday, 28th the Young Wives Fellowship enjoyed a delightful evening of dinner and dance in the Buck Hotel, when Rev. T. and Mrs Calvert were guests. There was a company of husbands and wives of apprsoximately 30.
The next meeting of the Young Wives Fellowship is on Tuesday, 15th April, programme to be intimated.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Sunday School led the Morning Service on Palm Sunday, when lessons were read by Janice Anderson, Christine Grieve, and Helen Stroud. The children sang the hymn, Children of Jerusalem, sang the praise of Jesus Name. The subject of the Service was, the things Jesus borrowed and the things people lent to help fullfil His earthly ministry.
YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
The Youth Fellowship completed the present session on Sunday, 30th March after an interesting variety of meetings since formation in January. The attendance of over twenty is considered very good. Thanks to Miss Kitty Duff, Leader, and Gavin Graham, Treasurer.
OVER 60 CLUB
On Tuesday, 8th April the Over 60 Club entertain the Duns Senior Citizens Club, when a company of sixty people will be coming as guests.
CHURCH CALENDAR
April 13 - 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Rev. Arnold Tail Sims, B.D., preacher at morning Service. Class for First Communicants after Evening Service. Flowers, Mrs. R. Robertson, Springfield.
April 2 - 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Rev. Tom Calvert. Langholm Town Band leading Evening Service. Class for First Commucants after Evening Service. Flowers, Mrs. Storey, 10 John Street.
April 27 - 11 a.m. Celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and admission of First Communicants. 3 p.m. Second Table of Communion 6 p.m. Communion Thanksgiving. Flowers, Mrs. T. M’Kail, Merrick.
May 4 - 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Rev. Tom Calvert. Evening Service attended by rnembers of the Order of the Eastern Star. Flowers, Mrs. J. Armstrong, 29 Drove Road.
BAPTISMS
March 14 - Caol Anne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Callander, Smalmstown, Longtown.
April 6 - Brian Kevin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Foster, 39 Gainsborough Road, Corby, Northants.
MARRIAGE
March 8 - Robert Harkness Irving, 23 Alderly Terrace, Canonbie, to June Copeland, 11 Eskdale Place.
IN MEMORIAM
February 27 - James Douglas, Ewesbank, Langholm. Age 90.
March 9 - Beatrice Hogg, 3 George Street, Langholm. Age 83.
March 13 - Maragaret Graham Cuthbertson, 18 Eskdaill Street, Langholm. Age 79.
April 1 - Adam Waldie, 59 Caroline Street, Langholm. Age 51.
"Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life. If a man has faith in Me, even though he die, he shall come to life; and no one who is alive and has faith shalll ever die”. St. John 11. 25. N.E.B.