THE FREE CHURCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24586, 18 May 1943, Page 5

THE FREE CHURCH

CENTENARY REACHED

NOTABLE EVENT RECALLED The centenary of a great event in the history of Scotland, and especially of the Presbyterian Church, falls today. It is known as the Disruption. One of the most dramatic occasions in Scottish history took place that day, when, after a protest had been tabled against the continued interference of the State in Church affairs, Dr. Thomas Chalmers and his supporters left the General Assembly of the Established Church of Scotland, and, amid scenes of remarkable popular enthusiasm, marched to the Tanficld Hall, Edinburgh, to form the first Assembly of the Free Church. The number adhering to the protest reached 474.

It was the Free Church of Scotland that inspired and organised the first settlement of Otago, and has deeply influenced the life of the Dominion through Presbyterianism in all parts of the country. The rent then made in the parent Cfiurch was not repaired until 1929.

Church Against State The hundreds of ministers who for conscience sake left the Church of their ordination did so deliberately, renouncing their manses and churches and all their means of livelihood. The results of such an heroic venture of faith were seen in an immediate revival of the spiritual life of Scotland, and they echo to this day. The Disruption was the climax of what is known in Scottish ecclesiastical history as "The Ten Years' Conflict," which aroso over the claim of the State to enforce its own nominees as ministers, even though they were unacceptable to parishioners. The scene when the final breach occurred has been thus described:—"The Moderator, Dr. Welch, announces with firm accents that it is now his painful duty to protest against the Assembly proceeding to business as they had now met, there having occurred a violation of the terms of union between the Church and the State. He then reads the protest, subscribed by a legal majority of the General Assembly. Having concluded amid deep stillness, he laid the document on the table, took up his threecornered hat, bowed to tho Lord High Commissioner —the Church's parting salutation to the State —and moved up the aisle to the left. He was immediately followed by eminent church leaders, and then by a steady flow of ministers. Vast crowds thronged the streets, and cheers pealed through the air. 'They're out! They're out!' went the cry from lip to lip."

Local Celebration The cost of the Disruption was great. The livings given up by ministers amounted to £IOO,OOO a year. Churches and manses and mission buildings in foreign lands were taken away, although all the missionaries joined the FreS Church. Parish schoolmasters and hundreds of farmers who were put off their farms joined in the sacrifice. But the early enthusiasm of the, Free Church "knew no bounds, and with amazing rapidity the church, school and manse of the new denomination made their appearance in most parishes. The General Assembly, meeting in Auckland last November, gave direction that the historic occasion should be fittingly celebrated by all Presbyteries. On Sunday, May 23, special reference will be made in all Presbyterian churches to the Disruption and its significance for to-day.

SKI-ING IN INDIA NEW ZEALANDER'S SUCCESS (0.C.) NEW-PLYMOUTH, Monday •Advice of the success of his son, FlightLieutenant B. McMillan, in winning the Lady Willingdon Cup for the championship of India at the Christmas meeting of the Ski Club of India, has been received by Mr. J. W. McMillan, of Stratford. This is the second time that Flight : Lieu(enant McMillan has won the cup. He is a well-known skier, having represented New Zealand in international eveuts. Before the war he was a member of the Stratford Mountain Club. The Christmas meeting of the Ski Clnb of .India was the most successful ever held, over 150 members attending. Flight-Lieuten-ant McMillan won the Lady Willingdon Cup, the Lillywhite Cup and the Silvers Cup for the ope'n slalom, besides the inter-services trophy for a straight race for service pairs with Flight-Lieutenant M. C. R. Thomas and the Graham Memorial Cup for the slalom race for service pair 3. also with Flight-Lieu-tenant Thomas.

DIVISIONAL SPORTS MEETING IN NEW CALEDONIA New Zealand troops in New Caledonia held a Divisional sports meeting on May 8, when some excellent performances were registered, especially as the competitors were not permitted to wear running shoes. The former New Zealand 100 yards and 220. yards champion and representative at the 19.'!8 British Empire Games in Sydney, G. H. Quinn. met with bad luck. He won his heats in both sprints, but in the 220 yards tore a leg muscle which prevented his contesting either final. P. J. Eastwood, former ■MI) yards national champion ran with distinction to win both the 220 yards and 440 yards. The 100 yards was won by S. R. Simon, formerly of Hawke's Bay, in 10s —remarkably irood time under the condittons. The three miles was notable for the fine performance of the winner. A. M. Stewart, who ha* represented North Otago at Rugby. He quickly established a break of 120 yards and stayed there to win unchallenged. S. J. Wade, well-known Auckland and New Zealand miler, scored a convincing win over his favourite distance. All the field events produced splendid performances. especially the high jump, in which only one inch separated the three placed men. J. Murphy was the winner with oft f>y 2 in. A former King's College champion, R. E. Moore, holder of the British Empire schoolboys' 120 yards hurdles record, had a successful day, winning the long jump and 120 yards hurdles and corning third in (he high jump. The distance in (he long jump was 18ft 6in. but it was against the wind. Threefeet hurdles were used and Moore's time was 15s.

RUGBY IN SOUTH Hamilton. —The Hamilton Rugby Union's competitions commenced in boisterous weather. Old Boys beat Air Force Fighters by 82 points to .'i, and Technical Old Boys beat Air Force Bombers by 22 points to 10. Wellington,—Jubilee Cup: Wellington, 13. Army, 11; Poneke-Oriental, 12. Petone. 9; Navy, <l, Maoris, 3; Marist, 14 Seatoun, 11 Hardham Cup: Old Boys, 10, University, 8; Hutt, 17, Mirarnar, .3; Eastbourne, 11, Air Force B, I : Athletic 2H A.N.A. 0; Johnsonville. 7, Air Force A, 1. Christchurch.—Air Force A, 14, Battery, <>, Li n wood -Tec hni ca 1-N e w Brighton, 8, Christchurch. 0; Army. 12, Canterbury Regiment, 11: Albion-Southern-Merivale 20. R.N.Z.A.F. 8. Dunedih. — Kaikorai, 12, University Combined Faculties, 7: Zingari, 0, Union. 7

GOLF COMPETITIONS Sch&olboys' Championship —The annual proJf championship for schoolboys will be played at the Remuera Club's links ori Thursday. Although file representation will not be quite so wide as in previous years, a large entry has already been received. Judging by the form displayed in practice rounds, the event promises to be keenly contested. Remuera Ladies.—Stablcford bogey: Mrs. J. ,T. Sythes, 32 Flag match: Mrs. FT. Tetlcy placed the flag in the 18th hole North Shore Ladies.—An open day was held yesterday, the various competitions resulting:'—Cross medal —Seniors: Miss M. Stevens (North Shore). SI. Juniors: Mrs. M. Russell (Akarana). 102. Handicap medal — Seniors: Miss M. Stevens. 81, 0—75 (not eligible); Mrs. V. Wisnewsky (Akarana). no. 15—81; Mrs Hewitt (Remuera). 102. 18—84. Mrs Wisnewsky won on a recount. Juniors: Mrs Draffin (Akarana). 107, 30—77; Mrs Nicholls (Remuera). 112, 28 —81; Miss CShame (North Shore), 111. 20 —85. Canadian foursomes, over 12 boles: Miss Blair and Mrs. J Dupin 'North Shore). 70, 10—51 Putting: Mrs. W. TTouirhton (North Shored and Mrs. A Wallace (Waitemata). Orakei Ladies.—Qualifying round for Pasroe Cup- Mrs. F,. M. Doyle. 00. 32—01; Miss G. Battersbv 100 30—01: Mrs II Ta >v 05 20 —OO Caddies Tourney.—Nineteen took part In a caddies' tournament at the Middlemen* links yesterday, the results being:—Two half rounds, gross medal: A. R. Gray, 45, 40 —01: R. Oreathead. 45. 50—05. Nine holPs medal handicap: R. Deas. Two matrhes of nine holes each, sealed conditions: R. Walls and T. Cheliew. Best junior score: I. Watson. Consolation prize: I. O'Keefo (aged eight years). Hamilton. —Bell Cup semi-finals: L. Jen I;ins beat M A Kelly, 3 and 2; R. Darby heat A J Den?; 3 and 2. Consolation event-: P C Russell beat H. F. Blackie, 4 and 2; T. On'lowav beat W IT. Coltman 3 and 2. Whangarel.—Medal round at Mount Denbv links: H. N. 0. Brown 87. 10—08: R. .T. Scott 00. 20—70: E. Harrison. 80 15—74; C. Gilchrist. 07 22—75; H. Hay. 93. 18—75.