PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 7450, 20 February 1888, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

At Friday’s sitting of the General Assembly the Rev. R. Erwin reported that he hud attended the meetings of the Synod of Otago as a deputy from the Assembly. He had"been received with every kindness by the Synod and its members. He fully recognised the spirit and heartiness with which the Synod prosecuted its work. There was a larger proportion of members in full communion attending the Otago Church than attended the ordinances in the rest of the Colony. As to the subject of union, he thought nothing need be said, except that no doubt in good time it would be brought about.

The Rev. J, Murray Davidson expressed entire sympathy with the Assembly. He was greatly pleased, delighted, and surprised to see such a zealous section of the Presbyterian Church flourishing in this part of the island and northwards. He found that the circumstances here were more advantageous than in the South, or else that the members were more zealous. He was delighted at the suavity of the members. Mr Erwin had mentioned the word “union.” Ho considered the churches were already united. He could not see the difference. They co-operated together as thoroughly as they could well do. They were not united in a corporal way, but that, too, would no doubt come in time. But he was not sure that it would be a benefit to the Assembly. There, seemed to bo no lack of funds here, and the vigor struck him with surprise. The churches and manses were as good as, if not better, than those in the South. Union would comp, and come all the sooner the less was said about it. The difficulties to be contended with were the same everywhere, arising as they did from corrupt human nature. He thought the Assembly had no reason to be discouraged. He was glad to see its missionary zeal, for this was a most hopeful feature in a church, as in an individual. People sometimes thought Presbyterians were cold in religion, but this was a mistake ; at the same time, he wished Presbyterians had the warmth and enthusiasm of the Methodist. Presbyterians here, however, appeared to him to be warmer than in other places, and, perhaps, this was due to the climate.

The Rev. G. B. Inglis referred to the fact that the Otago Synod was not resposible for the insulting remarks of any of its members, and bad no sympathy with Professor Salmond’s remarks, whish had been referred to in the morning sederunt. Passing from this, he would say that the Assembly had the full sympathy of the Synod. Both were fighting the same enemy, and under similar difficulties. Sometimes the brethren might feel downcast at the sight of the work to be done, but the battle was the Lord’s, and therefore the victory was sure. He felt elevated, if he might use the expression, when he found himself in an Assembly so large and so respected as that which he was addressing. They lived in a time when faith in God and the Word of God was apparently failing. Faith was to the soul what genius was to the intellect—it made the impossible attainable. The present age was rich in literature and art and discovery, but lacked faith in the Author of our being and in the rule of life revealed by Him. As ministers of Christ, they were called upon more than ever to declare the Word of the Lord, If they had the true welfare of the Colony at heart, they would go back to their parishes determined to secure it for the heavenly kingdom and glory of their Lord and Master. It was the prayer of the Southern Church that peace and prosperity might reign within the bounds of the Presbyterian Church.