Langholm Old Church Parish Magazine
No.142 Price 1/8p - with LIFE AND WORK - 8d LOCAL MAGAZINE ONLY June 1973.
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
and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all; he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made. Instead of which King Rehoboam made shields of brass". 2 Chronicles 12. 9/10.Our text tells us what a king did in an hour of defeat and failure. How he made the best of the second best.
His name was Rehoboam, son of Solomon, who ascended the throne of Judah at the age of 41. He ascended a throne of indescribable grandure and riches, the most magnificent in the world. There wasn't the like in any kingdom, golden lions keeping guard over the ivory steps of his palace, and the royal guard carrying 300 shields of gold whenever they accompanied the king.
But 30,000 labourers who had been used by Solomon cutting cedar trees in Lebnanon, and 80,000 quarriers under 3000 foremen who had been hewing stones for the hills of Palestine for the foundation and structure of the grand Temple and Palace, now wanted redress from forced labour conditions under Solomon. So they come to the new king with a courteous request: "Thy father made our yoke heavy; now therefore make it lighter, and we will serve thee". Rehoboam took three days to consider this request. First he consulted his counsellors, the old men who had stood by his father, and they advised him "serve the people, speak good words and they will serve thee forever". But Rehoboam didn't accept this advice of the elders. He turned to the young men with whom he had grown up for advice, and they said, "Meet discontent with contempt and refuse all demands". And so he tells the people, "My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to it."
The result was that within five years, rebellion, and the king of Egypt was invited to come to the support of the rebellion. And so we read in our text, "Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made. Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass."
So you see, the loss of the shields of gold was due to king Rehoboam's own foolishness, to his own fault.
Now notice that while Rehoboam had played the fool, in his hour of defeat he repented and sought to make amends.
We read that the king humbled himself and said, "The Lord is righteous - and there is some hope for a man, however foolish he may have been, if he sees and acknowledges the error of his ways."
And I like the way Rehoboam sought to make the best of the situation into which he had landed himself, how he sought to make the best of the second best, how he sought to win his way back to at least partial recovery. The golden shields had gone through his own fault, but now he makes shields of brass and hangs them in the hall where the shields of gold had been.
And this is what the grace of God helps men and women to do after becoming penitent for our foolishness and errors, helps us to begin again on a less grand scale. The golden shields have gone but we can make shields of brass and hang them where the shields of gold once hung. Yes, there was hope for Rehoboam when he acted like that, hope for the prodigal when he sees and acknowledges the error of his ways, hope for men and women who have ruined their lives by foolish choices and self-will if like Rehoboam they are penitent and ready to make an effort to make the best of the second best. Yes, when like Rehoboam, a man or woman is sorry for the past , and throws themselves on the mercy of God, with ever so little to offer, God helps them to take that little and upon it build that which is much, helps them ''to build with the bricks of the might have been".
But in this sermon I want to speak about other losses which befall men and women, not through their own fault as in the case of Rehoboam, losses of things which might be likened to shields of gold.
Take bereavement for example.
I am sure you will all agree with me when I say that the most priceless shields which adorn our lives are not gold or silver or material things, but rather our friendships and affections. We can do without a lot of things in life if these are left to us. But I am not speaking outside the experience of many of you when I say that these shields of gold do not continue with us forever. Our human life is so constituted that sooner or later there comes the sad experience of bereavement. And this kind of loss is the most staggering of all, especially if it is someone young, someone so much wanted - and here if anywhere I think we might be justified in saying, the shields of gold have gone and nothing less will satisfy us.
And yet that is rarely the attitude men and women take, all the brave steady living, the gathering together of the remaining threads, the resumption of duty, the new tenderness and understanding which dignifies the lives of such. What else is this but the shields of brass, making the best of the second best if you like, but the second best supremely so.
Or take ill health when it comes to people.
How often do people envy the shields of gold when they lose good health. Andrew Carnegie did. He became a multi-millionaire and one day a friend remarked how wonderful it must be to be able to buy anything one desired. His reply was that he would give all his millions to have a good appetite and enjoy health again. When ill-health comes to people they will readily acknowledge they have lost the greatest of all treasures. And yet they go about lamenting this loss, rather than begin to count their many blessings as never before. And they will tell you about someone in the next bed in the ward who was more hopeless, and they begin to be concerned about an ailing neighbour, and never miss a chance of making a joke about themselves. And what is this but hanging up shields of brass where shields of gold have been. It is said of Robert Louis Stevenson who never enjoyed a week of his short life without coughing and illness, that he never allowed smell of the medicine bottle to get into his books.
Or take physical handicap.
It comes to many through accident or misfortune such as loss of sight as in the case of Arthur Pearson, the Fleet Street journalist, who later became the founder of St. Dunstan's. With others has come the loss of limbs, and when it comes most people do what Rehoboam did, they make shields of brass and hang them where the shields of gold have been.
E. F. Lucas in one of his books tells an extraordinary story of a man doing just this. It was in the late 18th century. He was a young Navy Lieutenant called Thomas Roberts. Handling a grenade on board a ship, it accidentally exploded and blew off both his hands and part of his arms. Everyone thought this was the end for him, but no, he soon recovered from the accident, and then he had made to his own design boxwood attachments to fit the stumps of his arms. He had holes drilled into them into which he could fit a brush, a pen, a knife and fork; and had upright open pockets on his coat lapels in which he kept the various implements, and would take the one he needed out with his teeth, and fit it into the hole in the boxwood arm as required. In time he became the foremost map maker in the country, an expert and well known water colour painter, a first class shot with a gun, an expert fisherman, and he became famous as a wood worker and maker of model ships. He later became the inventor of the first calculating machine. And finally founder and headmaster of one of the most famous boarding schools of his day.
And the extraordinary paradox is that his terrible accident led him to do what he would never have attempted if he had continued to enjoy the use of hands and good health. His shield of brass seemed grander than his shield of gold.
And so I could go on illustrating this point by relating what I have known men and women to do after suffering shattering blows, men and women whose shields of gold have been taken away through no fault of their own, and have refused to despair of life and have manufactured and hung up in the hall shields of brass, often as not, as in the case of Thomas Roberts, have done grander things than they did, or ever hoped to do in the days of the shields of gold.
I conclude this sermon by saying that life in a world hike ours demands heroic living, and far more people display this heroism than we ever imagine or hear of
George Elliot, as a young woman, wanted above all things to marry Herbert Spencer, and for many years he played around with her and everybody supposed that one day they would marry. Then one day Herbert Spencer took a shilling and flipped it in the air, saying heads I marry, tails I don't. It came down tails. Months afterwards, just back from her convalescence from a shattering love disappointment, the young woman who was later to be known by the pen name, George Elliot, wrote to a friend, and this is what she said in her letter - "I am very well and plucky, a word which I propose to substitute for happy, and more truthful".
Rehoboam could not have been very happy after losing the shields of gold, but he was plucky in not despairing and in making shields of brass to take their place. And somehow I think that is what God expects of us, and what he intends us to be, not happy because we get everything we want and never suffer loss or pain, but to be able to take all that happens to us because all the time we are trying to be plucky.
PRAYER
Accept our thanks O God for all the powers thou hast given to us in our lives - for sight - for hearing and for all our powers of body and mind.
And especially we thank Thee for strength to live with hope and courage when we lose the best things and have to make do with the second best.
And to Thee be all praise - who never forgets us and who never fails those who trust Thee. Amen.
LETTER FROM THE MINISTER
Dear Fellow-Member,
My Demission as Minister of Langholm Old Parish Church
On Sundays, 20th and 27th May, I read from the pulpit the following edict in respect of my retirement from the active ministry. "The Presbytery of Jedburgh, having received a letter from myself (Rev. T Calvert), demitting office as minister of this parish, hereby cites the Congregation of this parish to attend in their interests at a Meeting of the Presbytery, to be held in Jedburgh Trinity Church Hall on Wednesday, 6th June, 1973, at 7 p.m., with certification that if they do not attend they shall be held as consenting to the demission of Mr. Calvert. Signed, George Watson, Presbytery Joint Clerk." This of course is a formal edict which is read in every case of a minister of the Church of Scotland about to retire, or to be translated to some other charge. Normally what happens is that members of the congregation attend the meeting, and are given opportunity to speak in appreciation of the Minister's services during his ministry in the parish. Our Presbytery elder, Mr. James Maxwell, will do this when my retirement comes up on the agenda of the Presbytery on Wednesday evening 6th June. My demission will be approved as from Friday, 31st August, 1973 and a minister of the Presbytery will be appointed to serve as Interim Moderator. His duties will be first to declare the vacancy on the first Sunday following my demission, Second, to arrange for pulpit supply during the vacancy, in consultation with the Kirk Session. Thirdly, to supply the place of minister in so far as compatible with his duties to his own congregation. Fourth, to make an inventory of all church property in the custody of the former minister. Fifth, to call a meeting of the Kirk Session to make up an Electoral Register. Sixth, to cause intimation to be made on two Sundays preceding the meeting, that a meeting of the Congregation will be held to appoint a Congregational Committee and to determine the mode of electing a minister. It is a usual practice in the Church of Scotland that the vacancy is advertised and ministers interested invited to apply for consideration.
By the time of my retirement I will have completed 40 years as an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland, and previous to ordination served for three years as an assistant in Longniddry and later in St. Mark's Dundee.
Choir Performance of the Crucifixion.
i am including in this issue of the Parish Magazine an article written by our Organist and Choirmaster, Mr. Douglas McBay. Here I would like to express my appreciation of the efforts of our organist in recruiting a large choir, and in the delight we all had in listening to the rendering of the Crucifixion by John Stainer. It was a very happy evening, and we are grateful to those who took part as choir members and also to those who provided an excellent social gathering with refreshments in the hall that same evening. And here I wish to say what a help and encouragement it is to the minister to have our organist sharing in other work than that of organist and choirmaster. Mr. McBay is sharing with me the leadership of the Sunday School. He is also now convener of the Ways and Means Committee concerned with raising funds for the organ renovation and other congregational financial projects.
Organ Renovation
At a meeting of the Congregational Board a week ago, approval was given to electrify the pedal-board to enable a wider range of stops. This brings the total cost for the work to over £3,000. The work is to commence this month. An appeal to each member of the Old Parish Church for a generous donation to the Organ Fund is now being made, and during July each member will be called upon by an elder for this purpose. The organ was installed in the Old Parish Church in September, 1893, and this as far as I can learn is the first major overhaul. The Ways and Means Committee set up last year to work towards augmenting the Organ Fund is now under the convenorship of Mr. Douglas McBay, and special efforts are being planned to augment the Organ Fund. One such effort is being sponsored by Mrs. Ethel McLellan, of Francis Street, which will be the production of a Recipe Book. Mrs. McLellan will be pleased to receive recipes for including in this publication. There is a small charge of 5p per recipe.
Congratulations to Langholm Cornet, 1973
We all heartily congratulate Michael Bell on his election as Cornet for 1973 with the large vote of 379. Michael is a member of the Old Parish Church, and has been one of my good friends since I first came to know him when he left school. He helped as a member of the Youth Club Committee when the Club commenced meeting in the hall adjoining the old Chalmers Church in Charles Street. He is a keen sportsman and a delightful character. We look forward to having him with his Right and Left Hand Men, and the Common Riding Committee attending church on Sunday, 22nd July.
Opening of Memorial Corner
The Memorial Corner, designed with the aid of members of the Church of Scotland Committee on Artistic Questions, has been given approval by the Presbytery of Jedburgh, and the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland. The Corner contains when completed in furnishing, a plaque presented by the Langholm Town Council to commemorate the visit of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon. Also a framed parchment inscribed with the names of former Ministers, items of interest from the Chalmers and Congregational Churches, including several Rolls of Honour, and plaques. and of course the Langholm Old Kirk Bell. The ceremony opening the Memorial Corner will take place at the close of the Common Riding Service, and will be performed by last year’s Moderator of the General Assembly, the Very Revd. Dr. Ronald Selby Wright, C.V.O., who will also be the preacher at the Common Riding Service. Many of the older members of the congregation will remember the name of the Very Revd. Dr. Ronald Selby Wright when he broadcast weekly in the war days as Radio Padre.
Sunday School and Prize Giving and Flower Service
In order to enable myself and our organist to assist in the leadership of the Sunday School, we have brought the time of meeting forward to 10.15 a.m This is only a temporary arrangement until September when we hope to have Mrs. Kitty Douglas back with us as Sunday School leader. I would like to express very warm thanks to the teachers of all departments for their regular support in this important work, and to say how delighted we are to see Miss Mary Dalgliesh back in her place in the Primary Department The present Sunday School session will close with the Flower and Prize Giving Service at 11 a.m. on Sunday, 24th June. The Sunday School Outings take place thereafter, the Senior and Junior Sunday School going to Silloth on Saturday, 30th June, when the scholars will enjoy a meal in the Silloth Cafe and when they will have the hall of the Silloth United Reformed Church as headquarters for the day.
The Primary Sunday School plan to have their outing on Saturday, 7th July to Glendinning and in event of a wet day the Westerkirk Hall will be available. Full details of times of leaving will be given later.
Publication of The Church Hymnary, Third Edition
The introduction of the new Third edition of the Church Hymnary was discussed at a recent meeting of the Kirk Session, and it was agreed to purchase a copy for inspection. There is much in the new edition to commend adopting it without long delay. It contains much new material in hymns and tunes, and is better arranged in every respect. The date of publication is 21st June, 1973. As our stock of hymn books for visitors at the church door is in poor condition and never enough for special Services, it will be a wise move for the congregation to adopt the new edition, and urge members to purchase their own copy. It will certainly greatly enrich the praise and singing and interest in congregational singing to bring the new book into use without delay. Details of the Third edition are to be found in May Life and Work p 21.
Impending Retirement of Church Treasurer
Mr. Robert C. Craig, our Church Treasurer, bas communicated to me his intention to retire from that office on 1st August, 1973. Mr. Craig took over this arduous duty in March, 1972 on the departure of Mr. Donald Lamont from Langholm, and he has brought to the work the advantages of his skill and training in accountancy, and an enthusiasm of rare quality. We will have more to say in our appreciation of his services at a later date, but meantime I wish to say that it is with regret we find we will be losing him in this important office, and are deeply grateful for the good work he has done.
Sympathy in Bereavement
I would like to express our sympathy with Mr. John Green, 29 Charlotte Street, in the passing away of his wife Mrs. Florence May Green on 30th May. Also our sympathy in bereavement with Douglas, son of Mr. and the late Mrs. Green.
With warm greetings to all our people.
Yours sincerely,
TOM CALVERT, Minister.
TREASURER'S REPORT
May, 1973
F.W.O. May 6 £19.87 May 13 £15.74 May 20 £17.20 May 27 £26.27 Total £79.08
Ordinary May 6 £17.61 May 13 £16.10 May 20 £6.81 May 27 £7.98 Total £48.50
Annual May 6 £3.00 May 13 £- May 20 £- May 27 £- Total £3.00
Total May 6 £40.48 May 13 £31.84 May 20 £24.01 May 27 £34.25 Total £130.58
Total increase over May, 1972: £8.47
Organ Restoration Fund; cash received during month: £89.12.
Income from Life and Work and Parish Magazines during month £3.94.
KIRK SESSION
At a meeting of the Kirk Session on 30th May, Mr. James Maxwell, Treetops, Langholm was appointed our representative elder to the Presbytery of Jedburgh for 1973/74. Mr. Maxwell has held this office for over 13 years, and is regular in attendance. He is also convener of the Presbytery Fabric Committee.
WOMAN'S GUILD
A Coffee Evening is to be held at Kilncroft (by courtesy of Mrs. Phillips) on the evening of Thursday 5th July, 1973, at 7.30 p.m. in aid of the Organ Fund. There will be a Bring and Buy Stall. Transport will be available from David Street at 7.15 p.m. and anyone with a car willing to help should please give their names to Mrs. Ewart at 33 Henry Street.
YOUNG WIVES FELLOWSHIP
At their annual general meeting the Young Wives Fellowship appointed the following office-bearers for the next session 1973-74. President, Mrs. Elizabeth Turk; Vice-President, Mrs. Mary Scott; Secretary, Mrs. Janette Miller; Treasurer, Mrs. Jean Ellwood; Tea Convener, Mrs. Anne Beattie; Committee members, Mrs. Anne Harvey and Mrs. Irene Corrie.
THE CRUCIFIXION
The church Choir gave a performance of the "Crucifixion" by John Stainer on Wednesday, 23rd May, 1973, in the church. The sum raised for the organ fund as a result of this was £70.00.
Here, I would take the opportunity of thanking the many people for their invaluable help in making this occasion the success it was. Firstly, the choir for their support and willingness; secondly, those who supplied the tea in the hall afterwards; thirdly Mr. Stanley Hope of St. Cuthbert's Church, Carlisle, for the part he played at the organ. Here I would mention that it was a most generous gesture on Mr. Hope's part that he donated his fee towards the organ fund. Thanks are due also to our treasurer, Mr. Robert Craig for so attentively dealing with the allocation of programmes and the handling of the proceeds, not to mention the elders who assisted at the door on the night.
Finally, I must thank all those who attended the performance. It was tremendously encouraging for the choir and myself to sing to such a splendid audience.
Our next venture is the Common Riding Service on Sunday, 22nd July, 1973. For this, we propose to sing anthems on that occasion. Consequently, there will be four practices to prepare for this, beginning on Wednesday, 27th June, 1973 at 7.30 p.m. in the church hall. Choir members please note the date. We would invite all who are willing to sing to come forward and join the choir whether they can read music or not. Following the Common Riding Services, choir practices will cease for the summer and will resume at the beginning of September.
A. DOUGLAS McBAY (O. & C.)
CHURCH CALENDAR
June 10 - 9.30 a.m. Half Hour Service 10.15 a.m. Sunday School. 11 a.m. Morning Service. 6 p.m. Evening Service in Chapel of St. Francis Home. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers, Mrs. Stuart Paisley, Thisbe, Rosevale Gardens.
June 17 - 9.30 a.m. Half Hour Service. 10.15 a.m. Sunday School. 11 a.m. Morning Service. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers, Mrs. L. Ewart, 33 Henry Street.
June 24 - 9.30 a.m. Half Hour Service. 11 a.m. Sunday School Prize Giving and Flower Service. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers, Mrs. Jean Goodfellow, 8 Buccleuch Terrace.
July 1 - 9.30 a.m. Half Hour Service. 11 a.m. Morning Service. Rev. Tom Calvert. Flowers, Mrs. Derek Bell, 4 Buccleuch Square.
MARRIAGES
May 14 - John Murray Ritchie, 18 High Street, to Marie Wilson, 30 John Street.
June 2 - Quenton Ogilvie, Wysely Mains, Kirtle Bridge, to Frances Robb, Evertown, Canonbie.
IN MEMORIAM
May 30 - Florence M. Green, 29 Charlotte Street. Age 82.
"I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand". St. John 10. 28.