Langholm Old Church Parish Magazine

No.129 Price 1/8p - with LIFE AND WORK - 8d LOCAL MAGAZINE ONLY April 1972.

Minister: Rev. Tom Calvert, The Old Manse, Langholm. Tel. 256.

Session Clerk: Mr. Archibald Findlay, Langholm Lodge. Tel. 453.

Clerk to Board: Mr. E. C. Armstrong, Town Hall, Langholm. Tel. 255.

Treasurer: Mr. Robert C. Craig, 5 Rosevale Place, Langholm

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. John Scott, 54 William Street.

Text for April “Were you not raised to life with Christ?” Colossians 3. 1.

The Easter season is a season of symbols, and it is about some of these well known symbols I wish to speak.

First of all there is the palm which is used on the Sunday before Easter as a Sign of victory and triumph. In most countries where it ﬂourishes it has been so used, so that its use in this conncetion has passed into a proverb, so that we now speak about the successful days of anyone’s life as their palmy days. So it was not just that it was convenient that the Jewish children waved palm branches as Jesus rode into Jerusalem, seated upon an ass in the traditional role of a great conqueror! it so happened that in Palestine palms were plentiful but they were used because the people wanted to offer Jesus every emblem of success and victory.

Another Easter symbol is hot-cross buns on Good Friday.

We are all familiar with hot-cross buns. We see them in the shop here in Langholm, and they are found in bakers’ shops throughout the country at this season. They had their origin long ago when Christianity was very young as a religion and was just beginning to make its way in the world. The early missionaries found many strange customs in the lands they visited with the Gospel. The Jews themselves for example keep a feast at this season called the Passover, at which they eat cakes baked of unleven bread. In Egypt where the people had a different kind of religion to that of the Jews, they kept a feast at the same time of the year in honour of the goddess of life and love. This goddess was always represented by an ox, and one of the things they did to honour her was to make and eat cakes shaped like the horn of an ox. This little cake they called a boun, which is the Greek word for an ox, and it is from this we get our English word buns. Now as it happened that the Jewish feast and the Egyptian feast were both at the same time of the year as the Christians celebrated how Jesus died on the Cross, when people became Christians they kept the old custom of making and eating buns, but marked them with a cross to remind them how Jesus died on a cross on Good Friday.

Then the third Easter symbol is that of Easter eggs.

Palms on the Sunday before Easter, hot-cross buns on Good Friday, and Easter eggs on Easter Sunday. How did the custom of Easter eggs come about? Well, the ancient Britons in this country were heathen and worshipped many different gods among them the goddess of Spring called Eostre or Easter, in whose honour a gay festival was held on the fourth month of the year. People built wayside altars and decorated them with greenery, and laid on them piles of eggs, because the egg was the symbol of new life, It was a very happy, joyous festival. And when the ancient Britons became Christians they did not give up this pagan festival but kept it every springtime and called it Easter, now held they said not in honour of the goddess of spring but of the rising of Jesus from the grave, for they said, the egg is the symbol of new life which we have in Jesus. So Easter eggs~painted or dyed in various colours are still given at this season to children to remind them that at this season Jesus came back from the grave to new life-and that we may all find new life in Him. And it became a custom among children in this country to roll their Easter eggs on a hillside a custom I can remember when I was a boy rolling eggs down a slope to see whose egg was first. And this custom ocf rolling Easter eggs comes from remembrance of how someone rolled away the stone from our Lord’s tomb.

There are three things I would like to say about our Easter symbols

(1) They tell us how Jesus changes the meaning and value of things.

He changed the meaning of the palm from being the sign of a conqueror who won his victory by the power of the sword, to the sign of victory by the power of love. From being the sign of victory by brute force, now the palm is the sign of the power of gentleness which we see in Jesus. I have read of how General Allenby commanding the British ‘forces in Palestine in the First World War, captured Jerusalem from the Turks and of how this ﬁne Christian soldier refused to ride into the city to receive the keys of surrender remembering how his Lord had ridden into the same city seated upon an ass and was greeted ‘by palms strewn in his way as his victory was won not by the power of love and gentleness; so he walked into the city on foot.

He also changed the meaning of the passover cake and the Egyptian boun to remind people how “He died that we might be forgiven, He died to make us good.”

And He changed the meaning of the pagan festival with its lovely custom of giving coloured eggs to remind tus not so much of the coming of new life upon earth in the springtime, but of His coming back from death on the third day and how we may ﬁnd new life in Him.

And ever since Jesus has gone on changing things and oﬂering people new life when they open their hearts to Him. It was Jesus, or should I say, the followers of Jesus, men like Lincoln and Wilberforce who changed the wicked custom of ownership of slaves. It was Jesus who changed Paul from persecutor to preacher of the Gospel to the pagan world. It was Jesus who changed John Bunyan from being a cursing tinker into a good man who wrote lovely books like “The Pilgrim’s Progress”. It was Jesus who changed John Newton from being a slave trader and evil minded man into being the writer of some of our lovely hymns like “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds”. And if we give him a chance He can change our lives and give them new purpose if we let him enter our thoughts and affections.

(2) And I would like you to notice that when Jesus changes things He doesn’t rob us of the joy of living but adds to it.

The old Easter festival was a happy one, a time of festivity and dancing and organised games, of people giving each other painted eggs. Jesus and his followers didn’t condemn that, because He Wants us to be happy at this season when we remember Him coming back from death to life. Jesus when here upon earth was always talking axbout joy and being of good cheer. The early Christians were happy people, so happy that people took knowledge to them that they had been with Jesus. So Easter is a time for happy parties, just as at Christmas when we wish each other a happy Chrtistrnas so at Easter we ought to wish each other a happy Easter as many thoughtful people do. For Easter speaks to us about new ‘life and about how we can ﬁnd new life as followers of the Lord Jesus new ‘life and about how we can ﬁnd new life as followers of the Lord Jesus.

(3) Yes, and remember that the Easter egg is the symbol of new life which we can have in Jesus.

We know how on Good Friday wicked men took Jesus and nailed him to a cross and how He died and was buried in the Tomb of Joseph oi Arimathea. But on Easter Sunday we celebrate the coming of new life- from that Tomb and rejoice that Jesus has come back to he with us forever. Now He is able to fulﬁl His promise: “Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” And we not only celebrate the coming of new life from the grave on Easter Sunday, but also God’s offer of new life to everyone of us in the same Jesus who He raised from the grave. This is what happened for the early disciples. After the cruciﬁxion they were frightened despairing men but Easter made them glad and joyous men, who went out into the world preaching the good news that Jesus had conquered death. And they declared that the same power that had raised up Jesus can raise us up above our failings and human weakness into new conﬁdent ways of living. And this is my message for this Easter, that because of Easter something can happen for everyone of us, however wrong our way of life may be, however hopeless tomorrow may seem for us however great our sorrows or disappointments, Easter means that we can start again, begin a new life in the power and by the grace of Him who raisied up Jesus from the grave. Yes and Easter means more than that, it means that death and the grave has been robbed of its sting and gives meaning to our Lord’s promise, “Because I live ye shall live also.”

Remember the Blue Bird. How a little boy and girl upon the stage wandered through this world and the next hunting for the Blue Bind. They approach a cemetery at the witching hour of midnight with the pale ghostly light slanting on the tombstones. They are afraid until the boy turns the diamond in his cap and in a ﬂash everything is changed. Where the graveyard had been there is now a garden with rows of tulips. The little girl cries out in startled wonder, “But where are the dead?” And then with wonderflul conviction as though speaking a word revealed from God, the little boy's voice rings through the darkened theatre with assurance, “There are no dead.” That is the message of Easter, “There are no dead.” All the tombs are empty for our Lord’s empty grave is everyman’s grave.

Let us prev Heavenly Father, in this Spring season we thank Thee for every sign of the resurrection which We see in nature, in tree and ﬁeld and garden. And we thank thee that at this same season we celebrate Easter when we remember our Lord coming back from the hold of death to the newness of life. Grant that the same rpower that raised up Jesus may be in us to raise us up above our weakness our fears and our failings.

Help us to make this Easter a glad season not only for ourselves but for others.

We prav for the people of Ireland, and especially the people of Northern Ireland, that this Easter may mark the beginning of a new fraternity among all classes of the people and that by the power that raised up Jes-us they may be enabled to rise above all thoughts of hate and revenge.

Lord hear our prayers, through the same Jesus. Christ our Lord. Amen.

LETTER FROM THE MINISTER

Dear Fellow Member,

Visit of Astronaut Neil Armstrong

We were all very delighted to see our Old Parish Church ﬁlled to capacity, some 1500 people seated to witness the ritual off presentation of Freedom of the Burgh of Langholm to Professor Neil Alden Amrstrong on Saturday, llth March. Truly great men are very humble men of simple kindly manners and this was evident in every word and action we observed in our distinguished guest. The visit was well covered by the Press and T.V. and all I would add here is that it was an occasion which will go down in the history of our Old Parish Church when the booklet “One Hundred Years Old” compiled in 1946 by the late R. H. Watt, M.D., is one day brought up to date. I hope this may be done in the present year and have included in it the picture oi Professor Neil Armstrong taking the Oath of Allegiance administered by Mr. Edward Armstrong, with Mrs. Neil Armstrong and Provost Grieve seated behind our Communion Table. A letter of thanks has been received from the Town Clerk for the use of the church, reading as follows: “Freedom Ceremony. I wish to place on record my Counci1’s sincere appreciation of your help and co-operation last Saturday. Tlhe Old Parish Church provided a wonderful setting for the Ceremony and we are most grateful to you for allowing us to use it. Yours sincerely, Edward C. Armstrong, Town Clerk. Dated 17th March, 1972.

Guild Sale of Work

The Guild sale of work was well supported both in attendance and gifts to the stalls and generous donations. We were all greatly impressed with the charming manner in which Dr. Joan Graham performed the opening ceremony and the delightful way in which Morag Calder presented Dr. Joan with a box of bush roses. I would like to express best thanks to all who took part in organising the sale and all who supported the efort by attendance, gifts to stalls and donations. Special thanks to the children in supporting the Sunday School stall which realised over £16. The total amount raised is over £321. This enables the Guild to repeat last year’s contribution of £300 to the Assembly assessments and £40 towards the upkeep of the Church Hall.

Annual Meeting of the Congregation

This took place after the morning service on Sunday, 26th March, and I was greatly encouraged by a large attendance. At this meeting the Treasurer submitted the Annual Statetment of Accounts for the year ending 31st December, 1971, audited by Mr. J. W. Wood. The Statement of Accounts showed an income for the year of £3461 and an expenditure of £3455. In presenting the Statement of Aocounts Mr. Lamont empressed thanks to Mr. J. W. Wood for auditing accounts. At this point I exlpressed the warmest thanks of our congregation to Mr. Donald Lamont for giving of his expert knowledge and services in keeping the Church Accounts from the time of the retiral of the late Mr. Robert Black, resigning as Church Treasurer in December, 1967. Mr. Lamont has given devoted service both as an Elder and as Church Treasurer and while we congratulate him on this promotion as Manager of the Royal Bank in Milnathort, we greatly regret the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Lamont and family from Langholm. A presentation of a pen was made to Mr. Lamont by Mrs. Calvert, who voiced the best wishes of everyone ipq the Oid Parish Church ‘for their happiness in Milnathort.

It was intimated that the Board had appointed Mr. Robert Craig, 5 Rosevale Place, as Church Treasurer in succession to Mr. Lamont.

Reports were given by our Session Clerk, Mr. Archibald Findlay, who reported that the membership of the Old Parish Church now stood at 999, largely as the result of the recent closing of the Langholm Congregational Church when 124 of their members were transferred to the Communion Roll of our Church.

It was reported by the Church Treasurer that with the closing of the Langholm Congregational Church, the sum of £400 had been given to the Treasurer of the Old Parish Church from the remaining funds in hand.

A report on behalf of the Woman’s Guild was given by the Secretary, Mrs. Woolnough, when she spoke of a most successful session of well attended meetings under the leadership of Miss Ella Glendinning as President. She also thanked all who had supported a most successful sale of work and assured the Church that the Guild would continue ﬁnancial support as in previous years.

Mr. John Scott, Sunday School Superintendant, spoke of the large number of children attending and the urgent need of more teachers and of new hymn books.

It was reported that there were vacancies for six additional members on the Board and the meeting agreed that the present members be all reelected and the Moderator given permission to co-opt additional members from the congregation. It was pointed out that at an early meeting of the Board a Finance Committee of six members and a Fabric Committee of six members would be appointed.

Palm Sunday Evening Musical Service

We were all delighted with the contribution made by the large Church Choir and Junior Choir on Palm Sunday Evening. We listened to the Church Choir singing “How beautiful it is to be alive,” and “O sacred head sore wounded;” and to the Junior Choir singing “All in an April evening.” ‘Mr. Robert Craig sang a selected solo appropriate to the occasion. We thank our organist Mr. Cecil Carmichael and his Choirs for their good services.

Woman’s Guild Annual Meeting

The closing meeting for the present session of the Guild was held on Tuesday evening, 28th March, Wlhen after a most informative and interesting talk and demonstration on pot plants by Mr. L. Twigg, the business meetinq followed. A report on the past session was given by Mrs. Woolnough, secretary. A report on the ﬁnances of the Guild was given by Miss Jean Hvslop, treasurer and both were warmly thanked for their good services. Miss Ella Glendinning, president, was thanked for her most successful year in ofﬁce as President when the programmes had all been lively and of great interest and a good attendance at the meetings was maintained.

Appointment ot office bearers and committee for next session were as follows: president, Mrs. Jane Ewart; vice-president, Mrs. Elizabeth Findlay; junior vice-president, Mrs. Elizabeth Calvert; secretary, Mrs. Roddick; treasurer. Miss Jean Hyslop. Three vacancies on the committee were ﬁlled with the nomination of Miss Ella Glendinning, Mrs. Little and Mrs. Dalgliesh.

It was intimated that the representative for the Old People’s Welfare Committee remained Miss Jean McVittie; for Greenbank Eventide Home Committee, Miss Ella Glendinning; Presbyterial Council representatives for Women’ Overseas Committee, Mrs. Elaine Anderson; Home Board, Miss Mary Graham; Social and Moral Welfare, Mrs. Lawrence.

It was intimated that an additional meeting on the llth April would be addressed by the Rev. James Beverley, B.D. on the subject of Church life in U.S.A. It was intimated that the Spring Rally would take place at Westerkirk on 10th May at 3 p.m. and would be addressed by Capt. Stephen Anderson of the Home Board.

Boys’ Brigade Annual Inspection and Display

The Inspecting Ofﬁcer this year will be Commander Iain D. S. Forbes, D.S.C. R.N. This will be the ﬁrst occasion when an ofﬁcer of the Royal Navy has been Inspecting Ofﬁcer for our lst Langholm Company and the Inspection and Display will take place in the Buccleuch Hall on Friday, 14th April at 7 p.m.

"Visit of Rev, James Beverley. BI. from St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Houston, U.S.A.

I am glad to inform you that we will have James Beverley with us in April and that he has kindly undertaken to conduct the Services in the Old Parish Church on Sundays, 9th and 16th April.

April Communion

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated in the Old Parish Church on Sunday, 3Oth April at 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. with Communion Thanksgiving at 6 p.m. First communicants will be admitted into membership at the commencement of the morning service. I will be glad to hear of homes where private Communion is desired. Classes for ﬁrst oommunicants will continue each Sunday evening in April immediately after the evening service. Any young people wishing to be received into the membership of the Church who are unable to attend classes owing to work or being away in school or college, should let me have their names and arrangements for private instruction can be made.

Departure of Mr. and Mrs. W. Welsh and Mr. and Mrs. John Welsh

We all felt very sorry to learn of the departure of the Welsh family from Whita Cafe and Langholm to Blackpool. We will especially miss John Welsh who came into the Sunday School after the closing of the Langholm Congregational Church and was glad to share with John Scott in the leadership of the Sunday School. We were delighted to ﬁnd the Langholm people giving Mr. and Mrs. Welsh a good send off in the presentation of a wallet of ﬁfty-one pound notes and a lovely broach to Mrs. Welsh. Our best wishes go with them to their venture of hotel business in Blackpool.

Congratulations

We congratulate Mr. and Mrs. John Bell upon celebrating their Golden Wedding at Moorhills, Middlelbie. They are botlh well-known in Langholm and until about a year ago lived in Rosevale Street. With warm greetings to all our peorple.

Yours sincerely,

TOM CALVERT, Minister.

CHURCH CALENDAR

April 9—11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Rev. James Beverley, B.D. Flowers, Mr. James Maxwell.

April 16—11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Rev. James Beverley, B.D. Flowers, Mrs. T. McKail, Merrick, Walter Street.

April 23—11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers, Mrs. J. Armstrong, 29 Drove Road.

April 30—Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at 11 a.m. with second table at 3 p.m. and Communion Thanksgiving at 6 p.m. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers. Mrs. M, Douglas, The Parsonage.

May 7 9.30 a.m. Half-hour Service 11 a.m. Morning Service. 6 p.m. Evening Service. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers, Mrs. A. Cowing, 9 Wauchope Place. At the Evening Service Mr. J. MacIntosh, our Elder, will be set apart as a Lay Reader of the Church of Scotland by the Presbytery of Hawick.

BAPTISMS

March 19 Darren, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Middlemas, 70 Townfoot.

March 19 Neil, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hendry, 94 Henry Street.

March 19 Diane, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Crawford, 1 Buccleuch Crescent.

March 19 Sheil, daughter of Mr .and Mrs. David Crawford, 1 Buccleuch Crescent.

MARRIAGES

March 10 Hector Alexander Hadden, 14 Mamore Road, Kinloch Leven, to Janette Scott Fleming, The Crown Hotel, Langholm.

March 25 William Anthony Irwin Green, 3 Craiglockhart Dell Road, Edinburgh to Anne Linda Robertson, Springﬁeld, Langholm.

March 29 Alastair Keith Cairns, Sorbie Syke to Ellen Jane Graham, 9 Caroline Street.

IN MEMORIAM

March 17 Mrs. Isabella H. Gillespie, wife of Mr. Scott Morgan, 98 Henry Street.

“We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands.” 2 Corinthians 5. 1.

Langholm Archive Group

Working to bring Langholm's past to life