PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 16

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

44 WHAT IT STANDS FOR."

An address entitled "Preshyterianism and What It Stands For " was given by the Rev. D. D. Scott at a meeting of the Auckland Presbyterian Office-Bearers' Association last evening. The president, Mr. 11. B. Burnett, presided. Mr Scott said that in her theory of government the Presbyterian Church maintained (he "purity of Presbytery." Beginning with session it was t6 he regarded not as abovo the members but ;ts representative of them. Members elected their elders to session, session appointed representatives to Presbyteries and the latter sent representatives to the General Assembly. A moderator was appointed to keep order, but had no power to dictate.

Referring to creed Mr. Scott said that sometimes tho Presbyterian Church was regarded with a measure of scorn because of the alleged hardship in its expression and offect. Members of the Church had little causo for complaint against its formulated creed, which was merely a r'eclamatory statement subject to correc lion by reference to the Scriptures. It was not an unalterable, fixed quantity, but represented an effort to express clearly what was believed. Probably no other Church had so thoroughly and so satis factorily thrashed out the relation of Church to State. It was recognised the Church was peer in its own sphere while tho State was also a divine institution. The relation of the Church and (he world was illustrated in the. interest it took in education as the birthright of tho child. Tho Church acknowledged the baptisms of the other Churches, whilo its com-munion-table was open for all.