PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 42, 13 November 1907, Page 8

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

INTRODUCTION OF CHURCH FORMS. NEW ADMISSIONS TO THE MINISTRY. A highly interesting discussion on the propriety of introducing Church forms chielly occupied the Presbyterian General Assembly yesterday morning. The report of the committeo in favour of the innovation was ably supported by Dr. Erwin.of Christchurch, but members as a body, were not convinced, and it was finally resolved to refer tho question back to Presbyteries. In the afternoon it was decided, after much discussion, to authorise the Youth of the Church Committeo to appoint, so soon as it thinks funds will permit, two travelling agents to organise the Bible class and Sunday School work of tho Church throughout the Dominion. In tho evening amended regulations wore adopted in connection with tho Sustentation Fund, which nro of special interest to the southern section of the Church. A number of applications were dealt with for admission .into tho Ministry. Tho Rov. A. Don (Moderator) presided. Tho Assembly anticipates no difficulty in concluding its business to-day.

MORNING SESSION

STATISTICS. Tho Rev. T. B. Eraser (Lovell's Plat) presontcd the report on Goneral and Financial Statistics for the year. This stated that there are now charges and 58 homo mission stations. The number of churches has increased by 27. No less than £23,246 was raised by congregations for buildings or property—£ls,94l by tho Northern Presbyteries and £7305 by tho Southern Presbyteries, though the north is burdened with a debt on buildings amounting to £45,863, tho samo debt in the soutli boing only £15,134. More than half of the total sum contributed for buildings in the south was raised, by one congregation in Dunodin. Tho total building debt on congregations is £60,997. For tho first time a return was taken of the amounts standing to tho credit of building funds in tho different congregations, and tho fact is revealed that tho hanclsomo sum of £14,813 stands to the credit of these funds. The gross congregational revenue for tho year amounts to £114,798, an increase of £2359. Fivo years ago tho total reported rovenuo was only £81,345. These figures do not include thousands of -pounds received by tho goneral treasurer and conveners direct from individuals. Congregations raised £10,631 for objects beyond local congregational 'use, of which £5445 was given for foreign missions. The total number attending services is 70,124 —an increaso of 2322. Tho prayer meeting attendance showed a decrease of 582, the total being 3430. Tho communicant membership is 31,981 —an increase of only 694. It would appear as if this increaso of membership did not keep pace, with tho natural increaso of population oither north or south, and that tho membership of tho Church is stagnant. Some of tho largest congregations showed comparatively few baptisms. A fivo years' comparison of tho number ,of baptisms with tho nnmbor of children born of Presbyterian parents shows that 10,500 children are not accounted for, nn averago of 2100 per annum. Some instructive «omparisons are niado between tho Government census figures and tho Church's figures. These aro computed to he 152,698 Presbyterians in the Dominion able to attend public worship, but according to tho Church returns, in good woathor the avorago attendance, with one-third added, is about 70,000, leaving over 82,000 unaccounted for. There aro 116,500 Presbyterians of communion age, but communicants number only about 32,000. Tho comsus of 1906 gives 40,091 Presbyterian children of Sunday School age, but there woro only -28,274 iii tho Sabbath schools at tho samo date. There was a total- of 64,000 Presbyterians up to the age of twenty-one, but tho numbers given in tho Churcji statistics, including Sunday School children, Biblo classes, and Christian Endeavourers, totalled 37,333. Largo allowances have to be made in the interpretation of all these figures, but they rpveal the fact that there is a wido field for work amongst the youth of the Prosbytcrian Church. The census of. 1906 gavo the total population of the Dominion as 888,587, of whom 203,597 were Presbyterians, or 22.96 per cent, of tho whole. In tbo nino northorn Presbyteries the proportion was 17 per cent., and in the six southern Presbyteries 45 per cent. The communicant membership stands as one to eight in the north and ono to five in tho south. Statistics show an increaso of revenue in the last fivo years from £81,345 to £114,798 (£33,453). The committee asked lcavo to amend the form of tho financial statistics in future, with a view to simplicity and greater accuracy.

As.it is highly improbable that the average number, with one-third added, given as attending Presbyterian services (70,000 out of 203,000) represents anything like the number under the actual pastoral care of the ministers and missionaries of the Church, though it is/apt to be so understood, the committoo recommended that ministers give a return of the total number of persons known to bo undor thoir pastoral care. Tho committee suggested that a Reserve Communicants' Roll be.kept in all congregations, wherein should bo recorded the names of all communicants, not being invalids, who have not been present at communion for two years, and that convenient books bo prepared and issued to congregations for a record of membership and baptisms, and that such bo laid annually for examination on the tablo of the Presbytery. The report, with its suggestions, was adopted. A BREEZE. Something very like a breeze was caused by a notice of motion given by the Rev. P. B. Eraser (LoVcll's Plat), that in view of tho scant time now remaining the report of the Church Porms Committee bo not dealt with by this Assembly. "I submit, i Moderator, that that is not honourable, and should not come forward," cried the Rov. A. Whyte (Havelock North). , "Moderator, I submit that that remark is not Parliamentary," replied Mr. Fraser, quietly. Mr. Whyte said that ho withdrew any imputation. Mr. Prater said that nothing' that was not honourable was meant. Ho had given notice of the motion, so that Mr. Whyte should have time to' inwardly digest it, and' that was a good liturgical phrase. (Laughtor.) An hour or so later, at the conclusion of other business, Mr. Eraser moved 1 his motion. As the report on Church forms was about to come forward, strong dissont was expressed from this course, and it was urged that it was not the proper, thing to try to block any important report at tho last moment. Mr. Eraser pointed out that his notice of motion had been accepted. A minister remarked that it should not liavo been. It was pointed out that the proper time for giving notices of motion was at the close of a sederunt. Tho Moderator ruled that Mr. Fraser's motion could not bo takon. Tho Rov. A. M. Pinlayson (Waitati) moved that the House disagree with the Moderator's ruling. The Rev. A. Cameron (Dunedin) seconded tho motion. A show of hands was taken, with tho .Jesuit that the Moderator's ruling was upheld. CHURCH PORMS. The Rev. Dr. Erwin (Cliristchurch), in presenting the report of tho Committeo on Church i'orms, expressed his keen regret that the state of Dr. Sidoy's health did not allow him to be present to do so himself. The report stated that tho Committee had consulted a goodly numbor of volumes on this subject, but was not prepared to recommend any volume for adoption by the Assombly. A summary was given of the merits and demerits of various volumes, and the report concluded as follows: — "It seems to your Committee that if anything is to he done to meet the present stato of chaos into which bur church sorvices have

sunk a new book has to be written with special reference to our own laws and practice to be efficient. The question arises as to whether a Directory, puro ami simple, should bo provided, or whether the volume should contain provision for a Voluntary Liturgy. With the present practice of our young people's societies in preparing or appropriating services for their meetings, ami even for church services, as on young people s day, with responsive readings and other specialities, it appears to your Committeo that it would bo comparatively useless to publish a Directory without somo provision for a Liturgy. The present irregularities would continuo and in all probability would increase. A volnino with provision for both purposes could bo drawn up at present .with strict moderation of spirit while there is no excitement existing on the question. In a' very short spaco of time the state of things may be very different and be far moro dillicult to control. If tho volume was written with strict care from the evangelical standpoint, liko the Liturgy of tho Dutch Reformed Church, the probabilities are very great that it would have a solidifying influence upon tho Church as a whole. Of course, strict prudence would require to bo exercised in the introduction of such a volume. Perfect liberty would require to bo left to congregations to use or not to use the liturgical portion of the volume In asking for this the Committee would.remind all parties that they only, ask what was granted by John Knox and John Calvin through Reformation times, and what Dr. Charles Hodge and other masters in Israel have recommended.

Knowing the extreme difficulty many ministers havo in obtaining any assistance for tho conduct of services in out-stations, your Committeo at one time thought of recommending for adoption by this Assembly for this purposo the volume of prayers for social and family worship by a committeo of the Church of Scotland. It has beeVi found that elders and others are found willing to aid in these services by tho use of this volume. On further reflection youn committeo have concluded that tho question should be left to form a portion of tho larger subject. So far as real expression of opinion by tho Church has been given, there has been nothing of any adequato description, and your committee propose, with the consent of tho Assembly, to test tho real feelings of the Church upon tho matters submitted in this report, in the following deliverauce:.

—' With the view of securing greater unity in tho conduct of our church services and a larger consolidation of tho Church's interests and influence, Presbyteries are instructed to consider whether or not they arc prepared to consent to tho production of a new Directory for Worship, with provision for responsivo reading or Liturgical service, to bo used at times when thought desirable by congregations; and if tho Presbyteries are not favourable to the production of such a volume, they aro instructed to suggest some specific provision by which tho Church may overcome present defects and provide for tho consolidation of greater interests and to report to next Assembly.' "

In presenting the report Dr. Envin referred to the variety' of services in' Presbyterian churches. In "one church there was so much liturgy in the service that one wondered if ono woro in a Presbyterian church at all, and in another place of worship the servico, though dovotional and true, was bare and bald as could be. Those variations were not in accordance with the genius and order of tho Presbyterian Church, which required that whilo. thero should bo liberty, that liberty should bo confined within a certain range of law. In ono servico tho Lord's Prayer was usod in concert, in another it was sung at tlio close of a prayer, in a third they had) the old bald service to which they had been so long accustomed, and thoro wero other variations. In the children's services it was tho same. All this indicated a desire on tho part of tho Church that tho devotional servico should be more varied, more elaborate, and that there should bo some spice of tho liturgical in it. It was a trend that was oxtonding in their Church, and whicli they could not stop, 'and the question was whether the Assembly would step in as it ought to do and guide and direct the trend. There was a prevalent opinion, especially .among their elders, that the Presbyterian Church was averse to forms of prayer. This Avas not the case, historically. In the early days of the Presbyterian Church not only wero there forhis of prayer, but these were actually prescribed. Tho second Prayer' Book of Edward VI. was tho first book adopted by Presbyterianism, and enjoined to bo used in tho churches. That book was rfnly used for a short time in the Church, before the Book of Discipline was introduced, which brought in Knox's Liturgy._ This liturgy supplied a form for tho ordinary diets and worship that was partly proscribed and partly free .prayer. Thero'were forms for the celebration of ordinances —marriages, and so forth, and apparently no liberty was allowed in respect of the forms for these ordinances. An amount of liberty for tho othor services was required. This book, prescribing forms of prayer, as well as free prayer in the conduct of public worship, was approved by Knox and Calvin, and it was used in tho Presbyterian Church for ono hundred years. Tho feeling against prescribed prayers roso out of the conflict between the Church of Scotland and Charles 1., who strove to impose himself upon that Church as its bead. The feeling grew so strong that oven tho Lord's Prayer camo to bo disused in public worship for many years in Scotland. That battle of the headship of the Church had been foughjfc, and they woro enjoying its fruits. No one was attempting to.enjoin anything upon them. Tho report only suggested that these forms should ho optional. Tt was, said that prescribed forms Jrilled the spirit of prayer, but had thoy done so in the case of those old Presbyterians? It was impossible to maintain such a position. It was unfortunate that tho word liturgy had been used in the report for there was no proposal to adopt a liturgy' but only to adopt a book of order, or directory of worship, which was a very different thing. No liturgy was suggested such as that contained in tho Book of Common Prayer. . The Rev. R. M'Cully (llakino) seconded tluvmotion, though his early training had beon against any movement of tliis kind. Ho quoted regulations from the Westminster Directory which were never carried out. The Directory laid down, for example, that their dead should be' committed to the ground without any sort of service. Ho thought that they should face tho position properly, and devise some plan for giving order and preventing laxity. Tho Rev. A. Whyte (Havelock) moved, as an amendment: "That tho Assembly receive .the report, thank the Committee, and especially the convener, for their diligence, discharge the Committee, reaffirm its adherence to the Westminster Directory as a sufficient and generally recognised guide for public worship, and in harmony with the practice of tho Presbyterian Churches of our nation since tho days of the second reformation depfoCil w, tllo liccnsi "S of liturgical worship." Mr. \\hyto declared that liturgies belonged, not to the days of the living Church, but to tho period of the heresies..' This was tho report of a defeated and discredited committee, whose last report on the subject, recommending the American liturgy, had been smothered owing to tho storm it provoked. The Rev. P. B. Eraser (Lovell's Elat) moved an amendment, • designed to satisfy both parties, to this effect: "That consideration of tho subject matter of tho report bo remitted simphciter to tho Presbyteries, leaving it to them, if thoy see fit, to overture tho Assembly on any of tho matters referred to in the report, it boing desirablo that Presbyterial discussion should bo more fully matured before tho Assombly gives a deliverance on the subject." Mr. Eraser repeated that thero was no proposal to bring in a liturgy. Tho Rev. I. Jolly (Palmerston North) seconded Mr. Eraser's amendment. Tho Rev. Dr. Gibb, supported tho amendment. Ho said that his sympathies, lik o thoso of Mr. Eraser, were all with Dr. Envin, but, in tho face of the opposition expressed, bo thought it would ho wiser to adopt Mr. Eraser's course. This was not burking the question, which could not be burked. Sooner or lator thero must be modifications in their services. He had listened to dovotional services in sonic of their churches that were, a disgrace; so slovenly, so ineffective wero thoy, and, though ho did not like to use tho word in relation to divino servico, so v inartistic. The sermons might bo good, but in some cases, and especially when ministers had been under a long strain of work, it was a caso of, " Savo us from the prayers." There was no proposal to introduce a liturgy, and without abolishing freo prayer, which ho

would not for one moment recommend, they could make many improvements in their services. "" ■

The Rev. D. Maclennan (Duncdin) thought that the movement was antagonistic to the spirit of Preshyteriunism, and that it would come to nothing. A similar movement in Scotland had been laughed to scorn, and the Church was moving now in tho direction of simplicity and naturalness.

Mr. G. Steven-(Pleasant Point) urged the necessity of a simple form of prayer which would enablo elders to conduct service in the absence of a minister.

Tho Rev. G. Stringer (Oamaru) said that there were some things in the Anglican liturgy which might with profit be copied by the Presbyterians. At the same time, he was strongly opposed to tho introduction of ■a liturgy.

The Rev. J. Kennedy Elliott said he was exceedingly sorry that this subject and other subjects wero brought before the Assembly annually. Ho felt sure that there was-no desire for a liturgy on the part of the laity; on tho other hand, they wero distressed at tho proposal, and wero losing faith in their ministers who proposed it. The only persons in favour of, the change were their very young people and their old ministers. The Church of England had a noble liturgy; they were not going to get one liko it. . His objectons to a liturgy were, first, that it was unProsbyterian. It was natural for Knox and Calvin to countenance a book of prayer, because tho Church had then just emerged from the Roman Catholic Church. Secondly, it -was unscientific. •It was natural for thoughts to come before words, not words before thoughts. Thirdly, -.it was impossible to frame a liturgy which should cover all necessities.

Tho Rev. T. Tait (Christchurch) moved as an amendment that tho committeo ho requested to draw up a list of specific suggestions to come before next Assembly. There was no desire to introduce a. liturgy, but only sorao sort of authoritative criterion as to the ideal service of the Church, and conduct of tho marriage and other services.

The Rev. J. White (Pleasant Poiit) seconded Mr. Tait's amendment.

Dr. Erwin's motion was withdrawn in fav our of Mr. Fraser's.

Tho throe motions were put in turn, .and received tho following support: — Mr. Whvto's, 40 votes; Mr.' Fraser's, 70; Mr. Tait's 45 or 46.

The motions of Mr.- Fraser and Mr. Tait wero again submitted. Mr. Fraser's received 81 votes, and Mr. Tait's GO.

Mr. Fraser's motion was then put as a substantive motion, and carried.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

YOUTH OF THE CHTJECH. In the afternoon the Assembly considered a recommendation of the Youth of the Church Committee, held over from, last week, for the appointment, as.soon as funds permit, of two travelling agents to organise the young people's work. ' The Rev. Dr. Gibb, in the course of a long discussion, said that if they would tako the past work of the Rev. J. C. Janiieson as a criterion of what agents could do they would be willing to appoint not two agents, but twenty, provided that' the' money was forthcoming. ' Tho recommendation was carried by a largo majority. The question of salaries, duties, etc., of agents was .remitted to the Youth of the Church Committee. On the motionxof Mr. J. Fisher' (Oamaru), seconded by Mr. TV. Ayton (TVairoa), it was agreed ''That tho Youth of tho Church Committee be directed to take into consideration the desirability of creating »'a junior members' roll of Church membership, compiled from Sunday School' scholars, and bring down to tho Assembly next year a recommendation'that might rosult in this being carried into practical effect, in order to prevent the loss now annually taking place during tho lapse of senior, scholars from tho fold of tho Church." ' SABBATH SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS. The Hev. J. J. Cairney (Waikouaiti) presented the -Sabbath Schools examination report, which stated that the number of entrants was not so largo as last year, but the work done was, on' tho whole, good. It was decided that in" future two banners be awarded, one for Sunday Schools of a 'membership of- 40 and over, and one for Sunday Schools of a membership of less than 40. It was, announced that Mr. Ashton,. of Hastings, had presented the medal for next 3'ear. A, resolution of hearty thanks was passed. • \ ' The report was adopted. EVENING SESSION;

BENEFICIARY FUNDS. The , Rev. A. M. Fihalysqn (Waitati) moved the following recommendations of the Committee'of the Aged and Infirm Ministers' -ind Widows' and Orphans' Funds (South): —"That the regulations of both funds be amended so as to provide that no minister be considered as connected with the funds until ho.has.paid his.first annual subscription, and that failure to pay into the funds for three years shall .debar a minister from joining tlie funds without a special resolution of tlie Assembly. ■ That interest at the rate of 5 per cent, be charged on arrears of entry money, except in cases ivhen ministers aro reducing their liability to the satisfaction of the committee." The Rev. J. Clarke (Palmerston South) seconded tho recommendations, which were adopted. < ■ SUSTENTATION' FUND. The Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland (Kaikorai, Dunodin) brought up the report on Sustentation Fund regulations. ' The following were the principal amended regulations recommended: "Tho fund shall be baseu upon the principle that strong congregations ought to lielp the weak in a systematic and brotherly manner. The fund shall bo administered by a committee appointed by General Assembly. Every congregation ought to aim (1) at being self-sustaining, (2) at being aid-giving; and until congregations are aid-giving they shall be required to forward annually to the committee a list of their • subscriptions to tho fund. The Church shall aim at raising such a sum as shall secure for all ministers a minimum stipend of £250 exclusive of house. That tho minimum of contributions required from congregations to this Central Fund before participating in the equal dividend shall be —for country congregations £175 per annum and the town congregations £200 per annum; and said minimum shall be revised annually by Presbytery aud committee with the view of an increase of at least £5 per annum where .there are available resources. Congregations that have reached the point of being self-sustaining and arc also able to afford a supplement should contribute at least one-fourth of tlio amount given as a supplement up to'£so, one-third up to £100, and one-half for supplement over £100. Whore the direct congregational contributions to the Sustcntation Fund fall short of the requirements of the regulations, it shall be the dutv of the Deacons' Court or Committee of Management to pay into the funds whatever proceeds of ordinary collections and seat rents may remain after meeting ordinary congregational expenses. An aid-receiving congregation shall not be at liberty to make' an additional payment to its minister except au allowance for house rent where there is no manse. On the occurrence of a vacancy in the pastorate- of any congregation the Presbytery, before granting an application for- moderation in a call, shall satisfy itself and the committee that the congregational organisation for the fund is effective. In every congregation the responsibility for collecting the fund rests oil tlio office-bearers, who shall have districts assigned to them." The regulations wore adopted.

APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION. The report of the Committee on Applications for Admission was adopted as follows: That the Rev. William, Trotter bo received. That the Rev. A. V. G. Chandler's application be held over for another .year, and that he bo requested to give a written statement of the icasons which have led him to change his former views on baptism for thoso of this Church. That leave bo given to the Dunedin Presbytery to ordain the Rev. E. A. Axclscn, agent of the Presbyterian Social Service Association.' That Sir. Oscar lilundcll bo admitted to the Theological Hall. That leave bo given to the Waiißanui Presbytery to ordain Mr. J. 15.

Ward, Maori missionary. That as the Rev. E. Culliford has not arrived in the Dominion, nor his complete documents, consideration of his application bo hold over. Authority was Riven to the Westland Iresbytery to ordain Mr. James Lowrie, wheis going to Denniston to work up a Churcl--Intension charge. NEW MISSION STATIONS. On the motion of Dr. Envin (Christ*, church), seconded by Rev. I. Jolly (Palmerst.ol}, Mrth), it was agreed: "That the £55(1 ?i r „ Manso » uoquest be at "the disposal ol tlie Church Extension Committee for tin purpose of initiating and encouraging the establishment of not less than five new mission stations."