"Rainy wi'oot the Principal". XXXI.
The House of Lords had decided that the whole property of the pre-union Free Church of Scotland belonged to the minority who had not gone into the Union of 1900, and not to the United Free Church. Rainy found himself called to uphold his Church once more, to bear the troubles of the United Free Church.
Meanwhile the government began to realise that they could not just leave the matter to be sorted out by the two Churches, neither of which was in any mood to compromise. The idea began to be voiced of setting up a commission to divide the property of the Free Church between the Free Church as now constituted and the United Free Church. The Free Church minority had what they wanted, the name of the Free Church of Scotland. Now they were concerned that the commission should not treat them unfairly. While there were many church buildings where there was no controversy over who ought to have it, there was a significant minority where there was a debate, where a portion of the congregation adhered to each side. Then there was theNew College complex, comprising the College, the Free High Church and the Assembly Hall (known as the Citadel). Both sides wanted it, and only one could have it. When the Commission was set up in November 1904, they knew that the Citadel would be the most difficult part of the Church property to decide on.
Rainy was extremely pleased by the conduct of the United Free Church during the crisis; the Church had stuck together rather than falling apart. Rainy having kept up his pressure on the government, he saw the setting up of the commission as a new challenge for him.
His challenge was made official by his being called to the Moderatorship of the United Free Church for the second time. Rainy was not at all sure that it was a wise move, indeed, he was rather annoyed by it, but the representatives of the Church pressed it on him. No-one else was fitted to lead the Church in the present crisis, they told him. At last Rainy capitulated and agreed to "get into moderators' breeks again" (Traditionally the moderators of Scottish Presbyterian Churches wear 18th Century style court costume, including knee breeches).
The year of Rainy's moderatorship promised to be a very interesting one, as we shall, God willing, see next time.
Meanwhile the government began to realise that they could not just leave the matter to be sorted out by the two Churches, neither of which was in any mood to compromise. The idea began to be voiced of setting up a commission to divide the property of the Free Church between the Free Church as now constituted and the United Free Church. The Free Church minority had what they wanted, the name of the Free Church of Scotland. Now they were concerned that the commission should not treat them unfairly. While there were many church buildings where there was no controversy over who ought to have it, there was a significant minority where there was a debate, where a portion of the congregation adhered to each side. Then there was theNew College complex, comprising the College, the Free High Church and the Assembly Hall (known as the Citadel). Both sides wanted it, and only one could have it. When the Commission was set up in November 1904, they knew that the Citadel would be the most difficult part of the Church property to decide on.
Rainy was extremely pleased by the conduct of the United Free Church during the crisis; the Church had stuck together rather than falling apart. Rainy having kept up his pressure on the government, he saw the setting up of the commission as a new challenge for him.
His challenge was made official by his being called to the Moderatorship of the United Free Church for the second time. Rainy was not at all sure that it was a wise move, indeed, he was rather annoyed by it, but the representatives of the Church pressed it on him. No-one else was fitted to lead the Church in the present crisis, they told him. At last Rainy capitulated and agreed to "get into moderators' breeks again" (Traditionally the moderators of Scottish Presbyterian Churches wear 18th Century style court costume, including knee breeches).
The year of Rainy's moderatorship promised to be a very interesting one, as we shall, God willing, see next time.
Labels: Principal Rainy
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