THE FREE CHURCH COMMISSION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1617, 7 December 1912, Page 9

THE FREE CHURCH COMMISSION.

' " FIRST MEETING.? ; The first meeting of the Commission of Inquiry, held in ,tlie •■library .of the Memorial Hall, liondon, ou October 18, will long livo in the memory' of those who. were present, not only'because of the presence of so many leaders- of- the Free Church movement, both uld and young, ministerial and lay, but because of the evident 'impression resting on the' as-, sembly of the gravity and importance, of the work'to' which they were putting their hands. .For some time past, the idea has been gaining ground of the absolute necessity of entering upon a full inquiry into tho position of the Free Churches and their relation to the spiritual needs, of the community. At-the last annual meetings of the National Free C'hureh Council a resolution was unanimously pessed describing the inquiry "as the most important , issue of the present hour," end requesting "each or the great evai'gelical denominations to afford it'their sympathetic and practical support." Practically all, the Free Churches responded to. this invitation, and they hayu greatly enriched the personnel of the commission by the representatives they have selected. At the meeting ou October 18 there Whs a full attendance of the members of .tho Commission Committee' appointed by the National Free Church'.Council, together .with tho representatives officially appointed by the various-'denominations cooperating. These, together with a further addition of co-opted representatives-, •will constitute the body which will be entrusted with the further .prosecution or this inquiry. Dr. Lidgett was unanimously elected chairman of the commission. It was decided to accepfthe syllabus of subjects which had been, agreed upon at a conference held at Oxford. lost July, arid a series of groups of men and vomen were appointed _to .formulate dcteils and groups for. the inquiry. Principal Selbie, Dr. A.; S. - I'eake, Dr. Newton' Marshall, the Rovs. Richard Roberts, \V. If. Findla;/, Harry Bisseker, and Dr., Chapman were appointed as conveners of the seven groups which were agreed unoii.

It was further arranged tl-fit the officers of the National Preo Church Council, the conveners of the groups, nnj Miss Albright, of the Society of friends, should form an. Executive Committee to deal with the findings of the groups and reproduce them in' permanent form, so that they may he considered by the whole, body, which will meet at Swamvick for' several days early in thu • New Tear to constitute the commissions. A special fund of ,£100(1 is to be raised to meet the expenses of /. the inquiry. -"Christian World." :