THE SCOTS' CHURCH SECESSIONISTS DEFEATED.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4519, 22 November 1884, Page 8

THE SCOTS' CHURCH SECESSIONISTS DEFEATED.

The report of the special commission appointed to defend the interest? of . the Church, as against the Scots' Church wouldbe secessionists, was laid before the Victorian Presbyterian Assembly on November Ctb. It expresses gratification at the action taken in the matter of the bill by the Church bf England in both of the dioceses, by the Wesleyans, the Primitive Methodists, the Bible Christians, and the executive of the; Congregational Union. It relates in detail the steps' taken to oppose the bill, which the promoters, it states, have decided absolutely to withdraw, and finally it places on record the services rendered in this regard by Mr It. Harper, M.L.A., and Mr JT M. Davis, the law agent of the Church. After the report was laid on the table, Mr Harper gave '■ notico of several motions, the objects of which are to- continue the Rpecial commission so as to hold a visitation, &c, with the view of bringing the congregation of the Scots' Church into proper relations with the Assembly,' and the inhibiting of the present Board of Management of that Church from doing work which should be done by the trustees. An appeal by the Key. \V. Groundwater Fraser occupied the attention of the Assembly up to a late hour of the evening. Mr Fraser wae, some time ago, deposed by the Melbourne Presbytery from the moderatorship of Scots' Church, because of having opened a meeting which had been forbidden, and at which the Secession Bill was formally approved of. Against that decision, which reflected on his loyalty to the Church, Mr Fraser now appealed, holding that there was no course open to him but to formally open the meeting in question. After a warm discussion the appeal was dismissed by 80 votes to 15.