PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 35, 11 February 1892, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

The Presbyterian Assembly met at> St. James's Hall at 10 a.m. to-day, the Rev. John Elmelie, D.D., Moderator, presiding. Proceedings were opened with devotional exercises.

Question of Privilege. — The Rev. Treadwell drew attention to what he considered to be a breach of privilege and of good order. He referred to a paragraph appearing in thia morning's paper, in which ib was stated that a member of the Assembly complained of the time of the Assembly being monopolised by the same speakers year after year, giving the younger members no opportunity of expressing their views. How far from being true was this paragraph, Mr Treadwell reminded members that when an important report was laid before the Assembly last evening, the Moderator appealed again and again for some one to proceed with the business, and the elder members held back to allow younger members to take part in the debates. — Theso remarks were fully supported by the Moderator and other speakers, but no resolution was mado upon the subject.

Judicial Committee.—This Committee reported with pleasure that their services had nob been required during the year. Widows'and Orphans' Fund.—ln presenting the report on this subject, already published, the Roy. Mr Gillies drew attention to the fact that the revenue largely exceeded the expenditure. The fund was now in a very safe position, the capital being £5,438, including over £400 added during the past year. The only regret the Committee had was that so few ministers connected themselves with this fund. Circumstances that had arisen with some of their old ministers had let them get into arrears, and he asked the Aesembly to authorise an extension of the period in which their payments were required to be made. —Rev. J. Faterson suggested that the aged and infirm ministers' fund as well ac the widows , and orphans' fund should be incorporated, inasmuch as the regulations would then have the force of law.—Rev. Mr Ogg questioned whether there wae sufficient security offered to ministers to insure in this fund; but Roy. Mr Gillies held, on the contrary, that no other insurance company gave members such excellent results. —On the motion of Mr Smart it was resolved that the report be adopted with thanks to the convener, and authority given to extend tbe time for payment of arrears; further, that it be remitted to the Committee to consider tho desirability of having these funds incorporated, and report to next Assembly. Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fdnd.—ln presenting the report under this heading Rev. Mr Gillies said it was unfortunate that so few of the ministers were connecting themselves with the fund, only two having joined during the year. They had to consider the application of tho Rev. J. YV. Cree, late of Lees ton, for a refund of whatever moneys were due to him from this fund, on his leaving the church. —The Rev. Mr McKinney moved the adoption of the report, with thankn to the Committee and tho convener, seconded by Mr Hutton and carried.—Rev. Mr Gillies thought tiie Assembly should have a rule to meet such a case as that of Mr Cree. He gave notice that at the next meeting of tho Assembly he would move a resolution bearing upon refunds. —Rev. Mr Paterson urged the desirability of increasing the capital of this fund. — Rev. Mr Sidey urged that tho fund was of more value to congregations than to ministers. It was further resolved, " That ib be remitted to the Committee to consider and report to the next Assembly upon the relation of ministers to this fund whose congregations have nob contributed their quota to the fund." Training of Students.—The Rev. J. Paterson submitted the following recommendations by the Committee appointed to deal with this subject:—"Thatto adopt scheme 2, opening the door to the ministry without any university or hall course, would tend to lower the standard of education, and would not be in the interests of the Chnrch; that the regulations remain substantially as at present, that where practicable students of the Church should complete their course at a theological hall recognised by this Church ; (2) that those who offer them selves for the ministry and are prepared to enter upon the usual course of study, and meanwhile to serve the Church as student missionaries or evangelists, receive a cordial welcome; (3) that in accordance with a recommendation from the Chrisbchurch Presbytery, greater prominence should be given to the employment of lay missionaries, that these be recognised as a distinct agency in the Church, that they receive appointments to mission or country districts not erected into charges, that they be moveable at stated intervale " —Mr Paterson moved the adoption of the report with thanks to the cotivonor, seconded by Rev. Mr Neill.—Rev. Mr Sidey emphatically objected to the proposal to largely employ laymen without any control over their religious education. Unqualified men were doing irreparable mischief in country districts. — The jtov. Moderator stated that the Christchurch Presbytery recognised that where fully-ordained ministers were not available, and it was reasonable to employ for a time at least lay missionaries, but nob uneducated men, or without supervision.— Rev. Mr Ogfr did nob think the University should be the only road open to tnon who wished to devote themselves to the ministry.—After a prolonged debate the Roy. Mr Paterson agreed to withdraw his motion for adoption of the report, and a motion was passed "That the report be received."

Whangarki.—A petition from Whangarei was presented, through the Auckland Presbytery, praying the Assembly to give Mr Samuel Osborne the status of a third year student in divinity, and, in event of his passing his examination, that the Presbytery be empowered to take him on trial for license. The subject was under discussion when the Assembly rose at 1.30 p.m., and an adjournment was made to 3 p.m.