PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 21881, 19 November 1934, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Now the shouting and tumult have ceased and the captains and kings of New Zealand Presbyterianism have departed; would it be amiss for a Scotsman and Presbyterian, who is a plain man, to make a few remarks on the various questions which have come up for discussion before this august Assembly of New Zealand Presbyterians? In the first place, we have the sad experience of seeing a professing leader of a Christian body accusing a body of Britisb-lsrael students of Holy Writ as “lacking in intellectual capacity.” Then we also have the chief secretary of this august body asking that the police be called to remove from their midst a most respected minister of their own sect who has dared to fight for what he honestly claims to be truth, and we listen to the lion, moderator,of our church refer to this honest and • respected retired parson as standing outside their circle as a lost soul. Coming from such a source, how pathetic. We read, too, of several of their, representative ministers throwing off hot air ou the matter of divorce; making statements which clearly show that they have no knowledge (if the lives of the people whom they are supposed to lead and guide in spiritual matters. Again we find this august body sitting in judgment against the teaching of Professor Angus, of Sydney, and by a large majority condemning Professor Angus and resolving that no New Zealand Presbyterian theological student he allowed to attend his college. _ This from the same men who had previously allowed an aged and respected member of the cloth to be subjected to the indignity of “ call the police ” for daring to oppose what he looks upon as error. Is it any wonder that Christian churches are empty? Arc Presbyterian ministers pastors to their congregations? Visit any Presbyterian cbnrcb. even in Dunedin, and if you find a really good attendance be sure their minister has been out and in amongst his people during the week, hut alas, bow few. Visit many manses during the week, and you will find Mondayitis is prevalent throughout six days of the week. Clearly it is too apparent. The spirit of Scotland in Christian teaching lias sadly departed from New Zealand Presbyterianism.— I am etc.. Pi.atn Scot. November' 17