BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
233rd Edition – March 9, 2025
REV.WILLIAM WHITESIDE
Billy, as he was known to his many friends, sadly passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025. He was 78. He spent many fruitful years in the Free Presbyterian ministry and was involved in the formation of the Calgary church. In 1980, he moved from a thriving Mourne church to take up the pioneer work in Calgary, where he ministered for three years before returning to Northern Ireland. His last twenty years before retirement were spent as pastor of the Banbridge church.
Billy was a real gentleman and a faithful preacher of God’s Word. To his wife Hazel and his four sons and their families, we extend our heartfelt sympathy and assure them of our prayers at this difficult time.
THE HORRORS OF ABORTION
From a talk on BBC radio given by the Rev. James McClelland
There he lay, a poor little slimy, bloodied mess; such a sight as would make you want to throw up. In fact, a paramedic who sat beside me actually left the room, it was too much for him. I wanted to leave too, but I stayed somehow compelled to watch to the bitter end the saga which unfolded.
His little body had been perfectly formed, every limb as it should be, every finger and toe, all the features, just as they were meant to be. And yet he would never run, or skip, or play with the other boys and girls. He would never grin with glee at the sound of ‘Happy Birthday,’ or ‘whoop’ with excitement on a Christmas morn.
This little lad would never put his arms around his mammy’s neck and kiss her goodnight. He would never go fishing with his dad and would never grow up to love and be loved; for he was dead – dead at birth.
What killed him? Was it some rare infant malady? Was it some strange virus for which, as yet, there was no cure? Had his mother suffered some accident while still carrying this precious babe in her womb?
No, none of these things had taken his life so prematurely. This little boy’s death was no accident! It was carefully, decisively planned. You see his mother, and maybe his father too, had decided they did not want him; and so they did what Americans, and Britons also do, they decided to kill him. They actually planned and perpetrated his murder. They called it abortion.
What can a poor unborn child do when a solution of salt and water is injected into its hitherto safe environment? The answer is nothing, except to let out that “silent scream”which is heard in the ears of God, its Creator, in heaven.
If you ever once saw what I saw that day in Parkersburg, USA, you could never be in favour of abortion again. I’ll never forget that little boy, and the life he could have lived but never will.
“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” [Matthew 25:40].
THE DRAWING POWER OF CHRIST
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”. [John 12:32]
No kind of man is beyond this drawing power. Old and young, rich and poor, ignorant and learned, depraved and amiable – all men shall feel the attractive force. Jesus is the one magnet, let us not think of any other. Music will not draw to Jesus, neither will eloquence, logic, ceremony, or noise. Jesus alone must draw men to Himself; and He is quite equal to the work in every case.
Be not tempted by the quackeries of the day; but as workers for the Lord work in his own way and draw with the Lord’s cords. Draw to Christ, and draw by Christ, for then Christ will draw by you. [Spurgeon’s Chequebook].
AN UNWELCOME VISITOR
Mr. M.T. Bench is an unwelcome church visitor, but he nearly always attends– except at Christmas, Easter and maybe Mother’s Day. His favourite place is near the pulpit, where he discourages the preacher. He is as responsive as a tombstone, and he hears nothing the preacher says. He doesn’t sing hymns or take part in prayer. He doesn’t like crowds and stays away. The only way to get rid of this embarrassing fellow is by filling the pews. He is not welcome in our church.
