Langholm Old Church Parish Magazine
No.143 Price 1/8p - with LIFE AND WORK - 8d LOCAL MAGAZINE ONLY July/August1973.
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 and Choirmaster: A. Douglas McBay, Dip. Mus. Ed., R.S.A.M., A.R.C.O.
Church Officer: Mr. W. Elliot, 3 Buccleuch Terrace.
Hall Caretaker: Mr. M Tweddle, 17 John Street, Langholm
Text for July/August - “He shall drink of the brook in the way, therefore shall he lift up the head". Psalm 110. 7.
The Old Testament is full of references to brooks and wells. In Psalm 84 we read about a life-saving well in the valley of Baca. In another place we read of Elijah the Tishbite during a famine hiding himself by the brook Cherith. And in another place we read of David hemmed in by enemy forces longing for a drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which was by the gate.
Of course for us, living in a land where rain is plentiful brooks and wells are of comparatively little importance, but for dwellers in the Middle East and Far East wells and brooks are the means by which life is preserved. I remember staying in Tobruk one night just after the end of the last war, and hearing how some Arabs living in the desert had found the remains of two British soldiers. They were later identified through some papers and identity discs as an Officer of the R.A.M.C. and his batman who had escaped from Tobruk at the time it was occupied by the Germans. It appeared that they had been trying to work their way round the enemy forces back to the Egyptian border, but lost their sense of direction and walked south when they thought they were going east, and from notes in a diary it was learned they perished from thirst. What a Godsend it would have been to them if they like David had stumbled upon a brook in the way, their lives would have been preserved and they would have been able to make good their escape.
This Psalm from which our text comes, and the preceding one were undoubtedly written by David in a time of fierce conflict, in a time when he was being pursued by his enemies and cut off from the amenities of civilised life. In the latter part of the psalm the King is represented as being exhausted, and near, the end of existence. Then he stumbles upon a wayside brook, quenches his thirst and is restored to sanity and enabled to continue the battle until his enemies are overthrown. "He shall drink of the brook in the way, therefore shall he lift up the head".
In the old days of war in desert land a brook was a boon and a blessing, and it is still a symbol of many of the great experiences and influences that come to us on the journey of life which renew our faith and vigour. And in this message I want to mention some of the experiences and influences which uphold and bless our lives and help us to lift up the head.
For many people Nature and the open country is a brook by the way.
At this time of year in particular I believe we are all finding balm and healing as we move about the open country or visit the seaside. I believe that we are all quickened and comforted and helped by Nature far more than we realise. The sun, moon and stars remain unaffected by our petty differences, and they rebuke us and soothe us as we gaze upon them. The mountains bring peace, and our fretfulness is carried away by the rushing river and the never ending waves of the sea. Jesus found this to be so, he found refreshment in the fields and among the hills of Galilee. Amiel, an ancient writer, describes a country walk taken when he was in a dark troubled mood, and he says "the sunlight and the green leaves and the sky all whispered to me, be of good cheer and courage, poor wounded one". And I suppose this is why doctors often send their patients to the seaside or out to the country for a holiday, because Nature has healing balm for us, because Nature is for us all a brook in the way.
Another brook in the way is the gift of humour and laughter.
When we find the road of life tinged with gloom, when we are feeling downcast in spirit, what an uplifting thing it is to be able to laugh, laugh at ourselves and our own queer ways. If we can only get a fleeting impression of a comic side to things, what a difference it makes to our outlook.
The Bible says, "A merry heart doeth good like medicine". Robert Louis Stevenson who throughout his life of sickness had little cause for being cheerful says in one of his essays that "A cheerful man is a public benefactor, that he is better than a five pound note, and that his entrance into a room is as if another candle has been lighted". And R. M. Benson maintained that "God gave us humour to save us from going mad".
I know the Bible speaks of Jesus as "A man of sorrow and acquainted with grief", but the New Testament makes it abundantly clear that Jesus was a man of joy. He was forever saying to people "be of good cheer". We read how he attended a wedding feast and saved the feast from disaster. We read about him going to supper with the publicans and I am sure his presence never made the other guests feel ill-at-ease. Little children loved to gather around him, and they have always avoided people of gloomy disposition. So when we find refreshment from the brook of humour and laughter, remember that to laugh is not sinful as some of the old divines believed. And that our Lord Jesus was often refreshed from this brook, and that it is legitimate for us to do the same.
Another brook by the way is understanding and loyal friendship.
It is interesting to know that Jesus felt the need of friends. He chose twelve men that they might be with him, and those men stood by him through rain or shine as loyal true friends. When the crowds began to turn away from him because his preaching was not pleasing their nationalistic notions, Jesus turned to the twelve and asked, "And will ye also go away?" And the answer for them all came from Simon Peter, "Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life". As much as to say, we could never find anyone like you. And later on when Jesus said he was going up to Jerusalem where he would suffer and die, Thomas says to the rest, "Let us also go with him that we may die with him". And we read of how when he agonised in the Garden of Gethsemene, those friends with the exception of Judas were near by watching, and this led Jesus to offer them his heart-felt thanks for all they had been to him through sad and difficult times. "Ye are they who continued with me in my trials", he said to them in loving gratitude.
Yes, friendship was for Jesus a brook by the way and so for all of us. It is told of Charles Kingsley, that after coming under bitter attack from the rich for his efforts to help the lot of agricultural labourers he was asked however he managed to endure it all. His answer was brief, "I had a friend". Yes, and we are all rich indeed, however poor we may be of worldly possessions, if we can truly say of someone, he or she is my friend, and friendship is for every one of us like that brook upon which David stumbled and from which he drank and found himself recovered and renewed.
Another brook by the way is praise and appreciation.
How Jesus found himself refreshed and gladdened again and again by an act of appreciation. When the one out of ten lepers came back and gave thanks for his healing. And when a woman came with her alabaster box of precious ointment and anointed him, how it cheered him as he went forth on the lonely road to Calvary, to know that someone appreciated all he had done to help and bless them.
And if it was so for Jesus how much more for us. We all crave for praise and appreciation, and we respond to it just as a dog wags his tail when he knows you are pleased with him. There is an interesting story told about Winston Churchill in the dark days of 1940 just after Dunkirk. Dorothy Thompson broadcast from America telling how the American people admired Mr. Churchill and the British people for their brave stand for world freedom. Mr. Chuchill didn't hear the broadcast as he was engaged in some important work at the time.
A few days later he was spending a weekend with some close friends in the country. The burden of his responsibilities was weighing heavily upon him just them he was anxious about what was going to happen to France and about the coming Battle of Britain. The courage he had shown to the public seemed to have deserted him. For a brief spell his eyes were heavy and he was strangely quiet. Then someone asked if he had heard the American woman, Dorothy Thompson's broadcast. He replied he had missed hearing it and seemed interested to hear about it. Well, said his friends, we have a recording of it and will play it over. As they did so the little group sat in silence, and all at once they noticed a great change come over Mr. Churchill, his eyes began to sparkle and he sat up alert and asked, "do people really feel like that about me?" The great man was tremendously refreshed and encouraged as he sat there drinking from the brook of appreciation and praise of the American people, and as he came to realise how millions of people were watching him and praising him and praying for him.
It is the same for every one of us. And a word of praise when it is deserved, costs nothing, but is a veritable brook by the way on a desert journey, sending men and women on their journey refreshed and recovered.
There are other brooks than those I have mentioned from which we can find refreshment when the journey of life is going hard with us. Principal Rainy, when asked what source had upheld him through days of bitter ecclesiastical controversy, replied, "I am very happy at home". Yes, a happy home is another brook by the way which bring men and women refreshment and renewal. And another brook by the way for many people is prayer and worship which can mean so much to help keep the other brooks sweet and fresh. But this brook of praise and appreciation is one of which men and women in every station of life may drink and find themselves renewed and helped. Men who go out to work need it, women who keep our homes need it, the old folks need it and so do the young. And most of all those who have made shipwreck of their lives need it and are more likely to be recovered by it than by harsh criticism and condemnation. We all need this brook in our path of life, and as Christian men and women it is part of our high calling to provide the waters of this brook, to provide the understanding and the sympathy and the kindness that men and women on the road of life have a right to expect of us. For if they cannot find those qualities in us, professed followers of the Lord Jesus, where else can they look for them?
LETTER FROM MINISTER
Dear Fellow-Member,
As this will be my last Magazine letter before my retirement in August, I note that my first Magazine letter was August, 1950, soon after my induction as minister of Langholm Old Parish. Since then I have written 142 letters to accompany the monthly magazines, and in doing so I have tried to present a message to help those unable to attend Sunday worship.
At the meeting of Jedburgh Presbytery on Wednesday, 6th June, my retirement as from 31st August was approved, and I wish to express my warmest thanks to Mr. James Maxwell, our Presbytery elder, for the warm tribute he paid to my 13 years work as your minister. No one could have spoken more sincerely and movingly. Rev. J. J. Glover also spoke to Presbytery kindly words about my work in Langholm and for this I express my thanks.
The Presbytery appointed the Rev. Robert McConnell of Roberton as Interim Moderator in the vacancy, and he will conduct the Services in our Old Parish Church on Sunday, 2nd September to declare the charge of Langholm Old Parish vacant. Mr McConnell will probably wish to meet with the Kirk Session during August to discuss matters relating to the vacancy.
Organ and Manse Fund
You will all have received a letter from me appealing for generous support for the Organ and Manse Fund. The eiders are asked to call during the present month to collect the enclosed envelopes, though many have already been handed in with the Sunday Offering. I am assured that the work on the organ will now be put in hand without further delays and it will be a source of great satisfaction to all our members that this first major overhaul on our organ, installed in 1893 has been carried through. During my ministry you have been quick to respond to many special appeals, and have done it with great generosity. First came the reroofing of the church, later the installation of new central heating, later the rewiring and lighting of the church, and later the decoration of the premises. In making the special appeal for support to the Organ and Manse Fund, i would like to express special thanks to Mr. George Hendry, the Church Roll Keeper, for the amount of work he did in helping to address over 800 letters. I would also like to express thanks to the Ways and Means Committee under the convenorship of Mr. Douglas McBay for the various efforts being organised to augment the Fund.
Sunday School
I wish to take this opportunity of thanking our Sunday School teachers for their faithful work. We are glad that Miss Mary Dalgliesh has recovered sufficiently to be back in her place in the Primary Department along with Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Ernst. It has not been possible to arrange a Cradle Roll Service this year but here i would like to say how much we appreciate the splendid services of Miss Jean McVittie as Cradle Roll Keeper and her constant work in sending out birthday greeting cards.
The annual Flower and Prizegiving Service was a happy occasion with the children bringing gifts of flowers or fruit. The gifts this year were divided among the people in the Thomas Hope Hospital, and Greenbank and Erkinholme Eventide Homes. At this Service lessons were read by Anne Christie, Margaret Bell, Alison Fletcher and Margaret Hotson. The Primary children sang the hymn, Jesus loves me. The Sunday School sang, God, who made the daisies, and Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost, and in presenting the prizes this year I was assisted by Miss Jean McVittie.
Sunday School Outing to Silloth
The outing took place to Silloth on Saturday, 30th June and I regretted being unable to accompany the children having duties in conducting a wedding that same day. From all I hear it was a very happy outing, when an excellent meal was enjoyed at the Silloth Cafe. One very nice lady from the South who was in the Cafe at the time our children were having their meal, approached one of the teachers and pressed £2 into her hands to buy all the children an ice lolly, and as one of the teachers remarked to me, this kind of act does much to restore our faith in human nature. The Primary Outing takes place on Saturday, 7th July to Hammond Park, Carlisle, when I trust they will have a very happy day. The Sunday School now goes on holiday until Sunday, 9th September.
Sunday Before the Common Riding
On Sunday, 22nd July, we look forward to Cornet Michael Bell, with his Right and Left Hand Men attending our Old Parish Church for a United Service. The Common Riding Committee and members of the Langholm Town Council will also attend. There will be the usual wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial at 10.30 a.m., and the Service in church at 11 a.m. This year we are specially privileged in having as our guest preacher the Very Rev. R. Selby Wright, C.V.O., T.D., D.D., last year's Moderator of the General Assembly. He will preach the sermon at the Common Riding Service and later unveil the plaque presented to our Church by the Langholm Town Council, which commemorates the visit on Saturday, 11th March, 1972 of Commander Neil Alden Armstrong, the First Man to set foot on the Moon, and when he was admitted and received as the first Freeman of Langholm. Rev. Dr. Ronald Selby Wright, our guest that day won a warm place in the hearts of people throughout our land in the war days when he regularly broadcast messages to our people. Only those who lived through those dark and perilous days will ever know what his regular broadcasts meant to the nation, fortifying, encouraging and cheering thousands of people, who came to know him and love him as the Radio Padre. As Dr. Wright wishes to travel from the Manse of Canongate, Edinburgh, that same day, I am grateful to Mr. Edwin Armitage for undertaking to motor him from Edinburgh to Langholm on the morning of 22nd July.
The Evening Service on Sunday, 22nd July will be attended by members of the Lodge Eskdale Kilwinning, and will be conducted by my predecessor, the Rev. James L. Cotter, B.D. This will be the first occasion for Mr. Cotter to preach in the Old Parish since his translation to Dalserf fourteen years ago, and I am sure many people will be delighted of the opportunity of seeing him in the Old Parish pulpit again. We assure him of a very warm welcome to his visit.
Boys' Brigade Camp
At the end of the present month the 1st Langholm Company of the Boys' Brigade will hold their annual Camp at Hederwick Hill Farm, near Dunbar: There will be a visitors day on the Wednesday of their camping week. We hope they will enjoy good weather and a very happy week.
Retirement of Church Treasurer
Our Church Treasurer, Mr. Robert C. Craig, has written me that he wishes to retire from office as Church Treasurer on 1st August on attaining his 77th birthday. I very much regret that he is retiring from this important office at this time. He has served our congregation with enthusiasm and methodic care and deserves our very best thanks. I have yet to meet a man with a better knowledge of keeping accounts who has brought to an honorary appointment such a high sense of responsibility. I here express the warmest thanks of the congregation and of the minister.
The Church Hymnary, Third Edition
I have just purchased a copy of the newly published Church Hymnary: Third Edition, Full Music (Staff) edition, costing £1.40. It contains many new tunes by leading composers and many hymns not in the previous edition. Congregations like ours, with a well qualified organist and a large choir would be wise to adopt the new hymnary without delay, as it has much to offer in a wide range of really good hymns and tunes. Words only editions cost from 40p upwards, and a special Maroon Leather-cloth, stamped in gold, "For the Use of Visitors", suitable for the church door costs 60p.
Thanks and Appreciation
My thanks and appreciation to all who have shared in the work and ministry of our Langholm Old Parish Church. I couldn't mention the names of all the good people who have supported my work over the past 13 years in Langholm. i do want to express special thanks to Mrs. Mary Armstrong for her work in arranging the Church Flower List, and with Matt, taking the flowers to sick or elderly after Sunday Services. In previous charges I have found this left to the minister, and I must say it lightened my task having this splendid service rendered. I wish to thank Mrs. Gladys Roebuck and Ian Roebuck for their support in conducting occasional house Services in Greenbank and the Hospital. Mrs. Roebuck has not only played the organ but also kept a birthday list of elderly people and sent them birthday greetings in my name. Ian has used his car and brought people to help in the singing of hymns at these Services. And the Sunday School teachers, all I can say is God bless you, and ask you to carry on this good work until my successor is appointed. Billy Elliot, a real gentleman, has been more than a friend in his voluntary services as church officer. Mrs. Mina Carter, thanks for your grand services looking after the magazines, and thanks to all the distributors. The Woman's Guild, always so ready to back up the minister. The Boys' Brigade lads and the officers who are doing a very important work in youth leadership. My thanks to the members of the Kirk Session for unfailing support, and the Session Clerk, Mr. Archie Findlay, and the Treasurer Mr. Robert Craig, and the members of the Congregational Board and Mr. Edward Armstrong, the Clerk, who has helped me so much with advice and good services rendered. And to the faithful Sunday worshippers who have stood by me and supported me with their loyalty and prayers, my best thanks.
Sympathy with the Bereaved
James Carmichael Johnstone, 82 Henry Street, passed away on Friday, 29th June after a short illness. He was a highly esteemed member of our Langholm community. Up to the last he enjoyed the loving care and nursing of his devoted wife Elizabeth in their home. Our deepest sympathy in their bereavement with his widow and his family, James, Graham, Robert and Margaret.
With my warm greetings to all our people.
Yours ever,
TOM CALVERT, Minister.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Half-year to 1st July (26 Sundays)
F.W.O. 1973 £584.76 1972 £516.89
Ordinary 1973 £268.73 1972 £256.45
Annual 1973 £94.70 1972 £76.80
Donations (Church Schemes) 1973 £311.00 1972 £306.50
Donations (Hall amenities) 1973 £85.00 1972 £55.00
Covenants 1973 £237.50 1972 £207.50
Income Tax from Covenants 1973 £180.35 1972 £180.35
Totals 1973 £1762.04 1972 £1599.49
Increase in Offerings 1972/73: £98.05 Overall increase in income: £162.55
ORGAN RESTORATION FUND Incomings received by the Treasurer since 1st June, 1973: Donation from Young Wives' Fellowship £5.00 Other Donations £14.45 In addition, Mr. A. B. Little has kindly waived his charge for printing the "Crucifixion" Recital programmes.
LIFE and WORK and PARISH MAGAZINE Income during 6 months £64.71
WOMAN'S GUILD
The Guild wishes to express thanks to Mrs. Phillips for giving her home at Kilncleuch for a Coffee Evening with Bring and Buy Stall on Thursday, 5th July. The proceeds are to be given to the Organ Fund.
The Opening Meeting of the Woman's Guild in the next session will be Tuesday, 25th September. The opening meeting will give a rendering of the Victorian Musical.
The syllabus for the 1973/74 session is now being arranged and this will be interesting and varied, with talks, slide shows, musical evenings and a floral art demonstration.
ORGANIST'S REPORT
Choir Practices for the Common Riding services are in progress and as this day - 22nd July, 1973 - is a combined service of all the churches in town, all singers are cordially invited to come along to the Church Hall at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday nights. The last Wednesday practice will be on the Wednesday prior to the Common Riding Sunday.
The gardens quiz produced by the Ways and Means Committee has had an excellent response. At the time of writing it is not possible to either give the winners or print the answers but these will be announced in a future edition of the magazine. The exact sum collected by the sale of forms will likewise be announced in the future.
The collection of recipes for the proposed publication of a book is rather slow moving at the moment. During Mrs. McLennan's holidays, all recipes (don't forget the 5p) can be handed into 75 Townfoot, or handed to me in church. Come on, folks - rake them out! The more the merrier - we'll need at least 400 you know, otherwise we'll be like the cake that never rose - sunk!
By the time this magazine appears I will be away on Sunday, 8th July and I should like to take this opportunity of thanking Dr. Lang of Canonbie for deputising for me at both services on that day.
The work on the organ will be starting as soon as the organ builders have finished the job they are working on at the moment - shouldn't be long now.
A. DOUGLAS McBAY (O. & C.)
CHURCH CALENDAR
July 8 - 9.30 a.m. Half-Hour Service. 11 a.m. Morning Service. Rev. Barry Flitcroft. Flowers, Mrs. T. Calvert, The Manse.
July 15 - 9.30 a.m. Half-Hour Service. 11 a.m. Morning Service. 6 p.m. Evening Service in St. Francis Chapel. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers, Mrs. Ella Calvert, 12 Charlotte Street.
July 22 - 11 a.m. Pre-Common Riding United Service. This Service will be preceded by a short wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial at 10.30 a.m. 6 p.m. Service attended by members of the Lodge Eskdale Kilwinning. Flowers, Miss P. Hotson, 2 Walter Street.
July 29 - 9.30 a.m. Half-Hour Service. 11 a.m. Morning Service. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers, Mrs. Tom Irving, The Bield.
August 5 - 9.30 a.m. Half-Hour Service. 11 a.m. Morning Service. Rev. Andrew Farms, B.D. Flowers, Mrs. Wood, Potholm.
August 12 - 9.30 a.m. Half-Hour Service. 11 a.m. Morning Service. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers, Mrs. Beverley, 52 Caroline Street.
August 19 - 9.30 a.m. Half-Hour Service. 11 a.m. Morning Service. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers, Mrs. Vida Douglas, 16 Mary Street.
August 26 - 9.30 a.m. Half-Hour Service. 11 a.m. Morning Service. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers, Mrs. W. Smith, 28 Caroline Street.
September 2 - 9.30 a.m. Half-Hour Service. 11 a.m. Morning Service. Rev. Robert McConnell, Interim Moderator. Flowers, Mrs. Archie Smith, 44 High Street.
BAPTISM
June 17 - Laura Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Simpson, 2 Parkhead Drive, Edinburgh.
MARRIAGE
June 30 - Anthony Little, 2 Blundell Road, Carlisle, to Sylvia Fergusson Little, Bittleston, Arkleton.
IN MEMORIAM
June 29 - James Carmichael Johnstone, 82 Henry Street. Age 63.
Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die".