BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
241st Edition – May 4, 2025
A WELCOME VOICE FROM THE PAST
Recently, when clearing out a big filing cabinet containing over sixty years of correspondence and accounts, I found an old gem. It was the second issue of the “Revivalist” magazine that would become the voice of the Free Presbyterian Church.
This issue is dated January 1951, predates the establishment of the Free church, and was edited by the twenty-five-year-old Rev. Ian Paisley. One of the notable features is the report of a famous Gospel mission conducted in Ballymoney where God mightily moved in revival-like blessing. Space does not permit republishing the entire account, but here are a few excerpts.
“On the 22nd October, 1950 the Rev. Ian R. K. Paisley commenced an Old-time Gospel Campaign in Ballymena which proved to be one of the most powerful which has ever been held in that town. Even on the first night, the Town Hall was crowded, and twelve persons made public decisions for Christ.
“The local “Ballymena Weekly Telegraph” (Oct. 27, 1950) carried an article, ‘They prayed all night’, commenting on the Friday all-night prayer meetings which were a feature of the campaign.
“In every Campaign, there were decisions for Christ, and in all 351 persons made decisions in the inquiry rooms.” (44 were saved in one night alone!). Altogether, it was a mini-revival that ultimately led to the formation of The Free Presbyterian Church on March 17, 1951. An interesting footnote is found on a list of prayer requests. Pray for the “Old Time Gospel Campaign in Crossgar.”
Little did they know that the Free Church would be born there in just a few weeks.
“Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in thee?” [Psalm 85:6].
AN INTERESTING DOG STORY
As the once owner of a delightful little dachshund, I was interested in this story from Australia about a miniature dachshund called Valerie. In November 2023 she wandered from the family campground on Kangaroo Island, a rather inhospitable place, off the south of Australia.
The little dog was eventually returned to her owners 529 days later. One wonders how she was able to find food and water for almost a year and a half. But she was able to survive in the presence of bigger wild animals and poisonous snakes.
I am reminded of the goodness of God, “The eyes of all wait upon thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfieth the desire of every living thing” [Psalm 145:15, 16]. Just think of the immensity of the Lord’s task in supplying the needs of all living creatures on earth. The Lord is great and so good!
THE CANADIAN GENERAL ELECTION
Canada went to the polls on Monday, April 28. The Liberal party staged a remarkable comeback after being 20% behind in the polls under Justin Trudeau. When Trudeau resigned, financier Mark Carney took over the party leadership.
The Conservative party made impressive gains and just failed to unseat the Liberals, but its leader, Pierre Poilievre, lost his seat. The New Democratic Party fell from 25 seats to 7 and lost official party status. Its leader, Jagmeet Singh, who also lost his seat, announced he would resign as party leader.
While this is not the result many Christians hoped for, we are glad the winning party did not gain a majority. This will keep them from passing their proposal to strip faith groups of their tax-exempt status and begin to tax the churches.
UNITED CHURCH BLASPHEMY
One of the world’s greatest artworks is “The Last Supper” painted by Leonardo Da Vinci over 500 years ago. The mural is kept in Milan and depicts Jesus, surrounded by his disciples, having a final meal before His crucifixion. The United Church of Canada, surely one of the most apostate churches in this country, has made a modern version of Da Vinci’s great masterpiece. It claims to show the inclusivist nature of the United Church, focusing on homosexual and other minority groups. There is no Christ in the modern version because, they say, He is everywhere. Sadly, Christ is also missing from many United church pulpits today.
