THE REV. MR. "STRONG AND THE MELBOURNE PRESBYTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6820, 26 September 1883, Page 5

THE REV. MR. "STRONG AND THE MELBOURNE PRESBYTERY.

A large number of persons residing in the lowest quarters of Melbourne, such as Little Bourke-street, Black Eagle Lane, &c, sent the petition, which we quote below, to the Melbourne Presbytory, in regard to the case of the Rev. Mr. Strong. It will hardly be credited, but it is a fact, that the reverend gentlemen composing they Presbytery, declined to allow the petition to be read I The Argus, however, procured a copy of the petition, which is aa follows;—"To the Venerable the Presbytery of Melbourne. - The Memorial of the Members of the Scots Church District Social Society. We, the members of the Scots Church District Social Society, have heard with sorrow that we'are likely to lose from amongst na our beloved president. We are told that his resignation baa been caused by charges being brought against him of teaching strange doctrine. We owe so much to Mr. Strong that we feel wemust appeal to'the Presbytery, and bear witness to what we ourselves know of our dear minister, of his goodness, and of his truly Christian teaching. . Our society was formed by Mr! Strong about four years ago. We have now over 200 members. We are inhabitants .. of the lowest lanes and alleys of the city. : Many of us had sunk very low in vice, misery, and crime when Mr. Strong found us out. No city missionary or minister of religion ever visited onr dwellings. We were wholly uncared for by Christian people. Wo never heard any Christian teaching until Mr. Strong came to our houses himself and brought his friends to help us. He has preached to us week by week of the divine life of Christ, and of religion and goodness. He has tanchtthesethinng to our children day by day. We have learnt through him to lead better lives than formerly. Through him some of us hav« been saved from despair and death. Ws feel that the removal of our beloved minister and friend would be a loss that could never be made up to us. We would moat respectfully beg to bring these things under the notice of the Presbytery, and-entreat them not to do anything which may deprive ns of onr beloved pastor." The Melbourne Argus, commenting on recent proceedings in the Presbytery, says :—" If the dissensions that have arisen, and the uncharitableuess that has been displayed of late years are the legitimate fruits of the tree of Presbyterian Church government, then the sooner it is cut down and cast into the fire the Booner may we hope to see it replaced by a more rational and a more religious system." ' -