ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 118, 18 April 1934, Page 2

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

The right of call is an excellent illustration of the essentially democratic character of the Presbyterian Church, for it means each congregation has the solo privilege and responsibility of ■ calling its minister. That most deeply rooted and prized right was threatened throughout Scotland by the landed proprietors usurping this privilege of the people, by forcing their own nominees on the congregations. This culminated in the secession of 1843, when over 400 ministers left their charges and with their followers built new churches, inanses and colleges, forming themselves into the Free Church of Scotland. Happily, some five years ago this large and powerful Free Church was reunited with the Mother Church, called the Church of Scotland, and the principle that occasioned the secession, namely the right of a congregation to call its minister, was unreservedly recognised by the United Church. It is in the exercising of that right that St. Andrew’s congregation is being called together to-morrow night, when a very large gathering is confidently expected. Cars will call for those who cannot otherwise attend if they will leave their name and address at Mr J. B. Gerrand’s shop in the Square.