During an evening of mixed emotion the congregation
of the Edinburgh Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) bade farewell to their
minister, Rev John J Murray and his wife, Cynthia, on Friday 8th
February 2002. Although nobody could have envisaged the events that took place
in the Free Church during the twelve years of his ministry in Edinburgh, one
outcome was the forging of a close bond between the congregation and their
minister.
The evening began with a service conducted by the Interim-Moderator,
the Rev Roddy Macleod. He introduced the special preacher for the occasion, Rev
John Marshall, minister for 44 years of Alexandra Road Congregational Church,
Hemel Hempstead and a long-serving trustee of the Banner of Truth Trust.
During a passionate sermon based on Joshua 1 and
Hebrews 3:2 dealing with the faithfulness of Moses he spoke of those who start
well in the ministry but do not finish the course. Mr Marshall mentioned how the Lord prepares through trials those
whom he calls to be his servants. In speaking of the problems in the ministry
he struck a chord with many as he pointed out that many of the difficulties
Moses faced came from the people of Israel rather than from the heathen
nations. Mr Marshall referred to how
frequently a minister might feel like resigning his charge but God’s grace and
the glorious gospel that he preaches sustains him. One preacher sows and
another reaps. He recently met a man now 96 years old who had been changed
through a sermon that he recalled hearing when he was a child, 92 years
previously, on the text “The Lord God
omnipotent reigneth”.
The Rev Harry Woods, Thornwood, chaired the more
informal part of the evening. Mr Alex Morrison, who has been an elder in the
congregation for many years, made the presentation to Mr Murray. He spoke on behalf of the whole congregation
when he said that Mr Murray would be greatly missed. He paid tribute to the gentle quiet spirit that characterised him
in the church courts and in his ministry as a whole. He also made kind
reference to Mrs Murray and Anna and Andrew for their contributions to the life
of the congregation. He presented Mr Murray with a leather executive chair and
a cheque. Mrs Aileen Macdonald, who has the longest connection with the
congregation, presented Mrs Murray with a basket of flowers and gift vouchers.
Another presentation was made to Mr Murray by the Rev David Blunt on behalf of
the Aberdeen congregation. Mr Blunt paid tribute to him for his services as
Interim- Moderator of the congregation in its early development.
In reply Mr Murray began by thanking Mr Morrison,
Mrs Macdonald and the Rev David Blunt for their kind words and spoke of being
overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity shown to him and his wife. He paid tribute to Mrs Murray for the way
she had so faithfully stood with him through the trying times. He also thanked his children for their
support, sometimes at the other end of a phone line, and gave thanks to his
daughter in law for her loyalty and for young James whose arrival had brought
much joy at a particularly difficult time. He went on to thank the fine band of
office-bearers who had served with him, making special mention of Mr Maurice
Grant for his wisdom and industry behind the scenes throughout all the years of
his ministry.
He thanked a very faithful and loyal congregation
for their appreciation of the preached Word, their prayerfulness, their
friendliness and hospitality and their interest in and concern for the Cause of
Christ worldwide. He was encouraged by the number of fine young people in the
congregation. Although in many things he had failed he sought to be faithful.
He exhorted the congregation to 1) hold fast what they had; 2) keep together in
unity: 3) be large hearted in sympathies and generous in giving; 4) be
prayerful; 5) support the interim Moderator and office-bearers.
Apologies and greetings were received from a number,
including the Rev Iain Murray in Australia. Among messages read were those from
Mr William Murray, Rev Dr Peter Golding, Rev Erroll Hulse, Rev W McKnight, and
friends in Oban. Mr Murray introduced three speakers: the Rev John Marshall, a
Banner trustee, whom Mr Murray described as 'a rock' not only in his commitment
to Reformed truth for more than 40 years but in his personal support; the Rev
Humphrey Mildred, Edinburgh (who unfortunately had to leave early) and the Rev
Maurice Roberts, Inverness both long-standing friends in the work of the Trust
and in the Christian ministry.
[Mr Marshall recounted the story of his coming to
Edinburgh to visit Mr Murray during a time of particular difficulty in the
Church situation. He decided to bring a
large tin of chocolates to cheer up his friend. Unfortunately he left the
chocolates in the luggage compartment as he left the plane. When he went to
enquire for the chocolates on his return to the airport next day he was
informed that a passenger boarding for the return flight discovered the package
in the plane and the reporting of it led to a full-scale bomb alert at the
airport. Recounting the story to Mr Murray did him more good than the
chocolates!]
The evening ended with a sumptuous buffet tea
organised by the ladies of the congregation. A few tears were seen as the
congregation had the opportunity to say farewell to their beloved minister.
During the course of his response Mr Murray spoke of
his indebtedness to the heritage of the Reformers, Puritans and Scottish
divines. First with Eternal Truth,
then with The Banner of Truth and
latterly in the ministry he has shown a consistent commitment to the doctrines
of grace. He has sought the re-discovery of the importance of these glorious
doctrines in the Free Church; a mission that may not always have met with
universal approval. In other places that truth has been received with enthusiasm
and resulted in transformed ministries and congregations. That openness
fellowship with Reformed brethren worldwide has sustained him in dark days and
we trust that soon even in Scotland many will again ‘see eye to eye, when the
Lord shall bring again Zion.' (Isa 52:8).