THE PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4281, 9 December 1874, Page 3

THE PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Monday Evening, December 7. The Assembly met in the Provincial Hall, at 6,30 p.m. CHURCH EXTENSION COMMITTEE. The Assembly called for the report of the Church Extension Committee, which was read by the convener. It was moved by Mr. Paterson, seconded by Mr. Shebbiffs, and agreed to: —“ That the report be adopted, and that the Assembly record to the churches its cordial thanks for the liberal grants of money which have been made during the past year towards the Church Extension Fund.” The convener was instructed to communicate the resolution to the committees of the several churches. A committee was appointed to consider the mode in which the work of church extension should in future be conducted, and report to a future sederunt. WIDOWS AND ORPHANS EUND. The report of the committee on the Widows and Orphans and Aged and Infirm Ministers Fund was read, in the absence of the convener, by Mr. Paterson. Thanks were accorded to the committee and convener for the diligence displayed, and a fresh committee appointed. PREEEYTEBY RECORDS. A committee to examine into Presbytery records was appointed. PRESBYTERY COLLECTIONS. The Assembly appointed a committee to arrange the Presbytery collections for 1875, and to revise the standing committees. The Assembly then adjourned till 11 o’clock next morning. Tuesday, December 8. The Assembly met in the Provincial Hall, at 11 o’clock. After the Moderator had offered prayer, the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. • THE PROVINCIAL LIBRARY. The Rev. Mr. Paterson intimated that Mr. Waring Taylor, as one of the Provincial Executive, had kindly offered the use of the Provincial Library to the members of the Assembly while in session. treasurer's and statistical report. The Treasurer’s report having been read, Mr. Kirkland moved its adoption. Great credit was due to the committee for the clear and concise manner in which the report had been drawn up. He hoped steps would be taken by congregations to terminate their financial years simultaneously, and explained the reason why the Greymouth congregation had failed to furnish their report. The Rev. Mr. Paterson seconded the adoption of the report. The convener was entitled to the earnest and hearty thanks of the Assembly; and it pleased him to note the satisfactory progress made by the Church during the past year. He feared great difficulty would be* found in effecting 'an' alteration in the termination of the financial year, as recommended in the report. Considerable discussion and explanation then ensued as to the advisability or otherwise of terminating the ecclesiastical and civil year simultaneously, and it was ultimately decided to adopt the report, and accord a vote of thanks to the committee who had prepared it, and more especially to the convener. ADDRESS TO THE GOVERNOR. The committee appointed to prepare an address for presentation to the Governor on his arrival, submitted a draft address, which was adopted. A deputation, to consist of the Moderator, the ex-Moderator, Clerk, Messrs. Paterson, Calder, and Ogg, was appointed to present the address. THE TREASURER’S REPORT was then read, and after little discussion, was agreed to. , , REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE ON THE ORDER OF DIVINE SERVICE. , , The report having been road, the Eev. Mr. Calder thought uniformity in the order of the church service was desirable. He considered the report a most valuable one. The Rev. Mr. ' Oao ■ thought no alteration from the order now in use was desirable. The order observed by clergymen was'so slightly different that no inconvenience was felt by

congregations when a strange minister occupied the pulpit. The Rev. Mr. Hill was inclined to allow matters to stand as they were. It, was more a matter of taste and opinion as to whether services should be commenced by prayer or praise. Since he had been , a minister he bad followed the rule laid down by Bavid, and opened divine service by praise. He hoped the Assembly would not tie ministers down to a certain order of service. He fouml no difficulty, when in a strange pulpit, in suiting himself to the order adopted by the congregation. , ■ ~ The Rev. Mr. Kirkland agreed with Mr. Hill and Mr. Bruce. He was conservative, but, nevertheless, he had departed slightly from the order observed in the old country. He thought highly of the report, and considered that if one were presented every few years it -would have a beneficial effect. The Rev. Mr. Pateuson agreed with the previous speakers as to the value of the report. It showed that freedom and elasticity in the form of worship which was to ho recommended. He did not believe in a formal and .stereotyped order, and liked to see the order of divine service adapt itself to circumstances and times. Each minister should have entire freedom in the matter, and he considered variety in this respect advisable. The matter should be dropped. Several other rev. gentlemen spoke on the subject, nearly all of whom were in favor of a method which should not be formal. The report was received. The report of the committee on General Education was delivered hy the Rev. Mr. Bruce. Ho report had been written, as the committee, acting on the instructions given it by the Assembly —which were to watch the action taken by the General or Provincial Governments —bad found no work. He would desire to see another committee appointed.^ The report was received, and the committee instructed to give special attention to any action that may be taken ■ in the matter of education during the ensuing year by the General or Provincial Governments. REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN MISSIONS. The Rev. Mr. Paterson read the report of the committee on Foreign Missions, which showed that considerable success had been made in converting the heathen, especially those of the Hew Hebrides. The influence of Christianity was also becoming very apparent in other islands of the South Seas. Cannibalism was very infrequent, and Mr. "Watt, Presbyterian missionary, held out excellent prospects in the future. A letter had been received from the Rev. Mr. Stevens, of Sydney, who had visited the Hew Hebrides, which testified to the ability and earnestness of Mr. and Mrs. IVatt in their labors. A printing press had been presented by the Gla-gow foundry boys to the missionary, who had made excellent use of it in printing hymns and other religious matter for distribution among the heathen. Mr. Paterson trusted the stipend of the missionary would he raised from £l5O to £2OO a year, the amount paid by the Synod of Otago to the missionary sent by them. More than sufficient funds had been collected in New Zealand alone to purchase the new missionary schooner Bayspring, which served the purposes of several denominations engaged in missionary work. He trusted the missionary would ever receive the sympathy and gratitude of the Presbyterian body. The Rev. Mr. Caldeb, in a few appropriate remarks, moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Kirkland. The latter gentleman endorsed the remarks made by the Rev. Mr. Paterson, and hoped an association, which should collect funds for the mission, would be formed to further its progress. After some remarks by several of the clergy, the report was adopted. REPORT 01’ THE DEPUTIES TO THE SYNOD OS’ OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND. The Rev. Mr. Hill said that the present Moderator and himself, by appointment of the General Assembly, had visited the Synod of Otago and Southland. They were pleased with the reception accorded to them, and with the tone of the discussions of that body, and also with the zeal which it displayed in . its deliberations. The work of training young men for the ministry was being proceeded with by their friends in Otago in a laudable and earnest manner. A deep and lasting impression had been made upon the deputies at a meeting held in the First Church. As the Assembly was aware, the object of their visit to Dunedin was to endeavor to bring about a union between the Otago and Southland Churches and that in the North Island. His colleague and himself had done all in their power. They stated that schemes were on foot which would he somewhat marred if delay were made in the union, especially that of the training of young men for the ministry. It was also explained that the North Island Church did not wish to participate in or alienate their endowments, and the deputies did all they could to remove the suspicion which they knew, to exist with regard to that matter. The order of divine service difficulty was gradually melting away. The principal objection which appeared to present itself was of a geographical nature, but even that, with the increased communication between the several districts of the colony, would soon vanish. They did not wish to appear as suppliants, and they explained to the Synod that the union desired was neither necessary to their existence nor to their prosperity. He would state that they were treated by their friends in the South with all honor and respect, and listened to with great attention. The Synod conveyed its sympathy and thanks to them, and they were highly pleased with the discussions which took place upon the subject. The deputies were not prepared to find the feeling so much in their favor, the Synod passing the union resolution by eleven to twenty-eight, a counter amendment being lost. They were well pleased with what they saw during their visit; especially with the manner in which the endowments and resources of the Church were judiciously husbanded. Every evidence of spiritual light was apparent, 'and a great and glorious work was being carried on by -the Synod of Otago and Southland. A union between the Churches, he had no doubt, would he productive of most beneficial results. :He sat with men in Dunedin with whom he had attended at the Theological Hall in Scotland, a circumstance which afforded hinr great satisfaction.- He would not -conclude without paying tribute to the hospitality and kindness exhibited towards them by both the clergy and the lay members during their visit to Dunedin, which he was happy to observe, was being amply repaid to the Otago deputation by the members of the General Assembly resident in Wellington. The Moderator, as the other deputy, had simply to corroborate the remarks made by the rev, gentleman who had just sat down. The Rev. Mr. Hill then introduced the deputation from Otago to the General Assembly. The Rev. Dr. Stuart, one of tlie deputies, said it afforded,his colleagues and himself great pleasure to be present at a meeting presided over by bo excellent and worthy a gentleman as the Moderator. The deputies from the North had made a good impression during their visit to the South, but he . did not know till recently the ability and earnestness which were concealed under the calm and placid manner of their worthy Moderator. He had pleasure in tendering to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand the congratulations and beat wishes of the Otago and Southland Synod, He felt bound to pay a just tribute to the ability of the Northern members, wishing that the Otago Synod had been present that- evening, dft would have an unmistakeablei impulse - to the union desired. He would recall a reminiscence which occurred thirteen years ago.. In 1861 several ministers from the North, many>f. whom were then present, visited Otago i with the object of uniting the two Churches, i The betrothal was Agreed to, but, he was sorcy to say, only to bo broken off again. ; jMany in Otago who were opposed to the i union found that the geographical boundaries were a barrier, and a majority in the Synod agreed to draw back from the proponed union. He was sorry at the result of the motion ; indeed, ho felt an indignation which made him. uachristiauly angry, OtagoJ .however, ~waa recovering her senses, and an earnest desire was now evinced for the

union. He was delighted to be able to say that Presbyterianism was in every respect adapted to the colony—it was simply government by representation. The people of Otago in earlier days were afraid of their Nox-th-ern friends they were residents of a warmer latitude and nearer the sun—they were too speculative and too flighty in the eyes of their cool, orthodox Otago neighbors to meet with their entire approbation and confidence. But, he asked, why should not the North get the benefit of the cool heads of their Southern friends, and the South participate in the hot and earnest heads of their Northern brethren ? The subject of union, however, had always been kept before the Presbyterians in Otago, and the time had now drawn close when it would be effected. If the union were accomplished, till means of communication were easier and more rapid it was probable the meeting of the Assembly , would have to be bi-annually. Provincial synods could efficiently conduct the business of the provinces, and it would only he necessary for a meeting of the whole to he held bianually. No doubt educational questions would start up. He would state that he was no denominationalist, He held that members of the several synods, as citizens, ought to give expression to their views in regard to education -with the view of instructing their rulers. Personally, and on behalf of, a considerable body of clergy and elders, he stated that they hailed with delight the prospect- of approaching union, and he was" sure they would ever delight in obeying the orders and injunctions issued hy the General Assembly. The founders of the Church in Otago were Scotchmen from beyond the Tweed, and no difficulty was experienced in finding support for the Church. They were now finding out in Otago the difficulties attendant on planting Churches in sparsely populated districts, and he considered it a waste of energy to plant a church on thinly-peopled preoccupied ground. It was an error that because one denomination built a church in a district, another should do so, and then a third. They were thankful in Otago for their valuable endowments, which, for a number of years, brought in little revenue to the Church. When those endowments were set apart it was decided that not a penny should be taken from their proceeds to be devoted to the payment of stipends ; they were devoted exclusively to the building of manses, tfec. The Church had allotted one-third of its endowments for the benefit of the University and the promotion of a higher education. They entirely supported one eminent professor in the University; and he felt bound to say there was not a University anywhere conducted in a more liberal spirit. He trusted members c£ the Assembly would refute the charges made against the Otago University. The ex-Modcrator, in his report, had referred to the theological training of young men for the ministry. The , colony could not be too early in the field in this matter. The law had furnished members to the bar—men who promised to be. foremost and eminent in their profession. Surveyors from England were instructing a small army of cadets, who were proving their adaptability for the profession. He related the error committed by what was once the oldest of England’s colonies—Virginia. It received men from England—men whom they were glad to pay for passages home again. Since America had reared her own ministers her theological progress had been most rapid and marked. A qualified theological professor would soon arrive at Otago from Scotland, and he hoped much from this step. Students would live under the same roof with the professor—they would live and associate with his family. Much good was expected to result from this course. The colonists required ministers equally as able—morally, intellectually, and physically—as did the residents of Britain. The offspring - of the colonists of Otago would, he trusted, raise New Zealand to the position of a great nation. Whether the union took place or not, by God’s help the Presbyterian body would occupy a great and glorious field in the country. The General Assembly would always have the sympathy and good wishes of the Otago and Southland Synod. (Applause.) The Rev. Mr. Chisholm, as oue of the deputation, was pleased with his visit. Whether the union took place or not the Presbyterian Church would not suffer by the efforts it had made to effect a union. He thought with Tennyson, “ ’Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.” The rev. gentleman made a most effective and apposite speech. He was followed by Mr. Raiuie, another deputy, who spoke equally well. The Rev. Mr. Bauer: was sure but one feeling prevailed in the Assembly with regard to the matter before it. , He was confident it was the desire of all that the deputation from Otago should return home with that desire for union which was felt by. all present. He had much pleasure in moving the following resolution: — “The commission of the deputies from the Bynod of the Otago and Southland appointing the Rev. Dr. Stuart, Rev. Messrs. Ryley and Chisholm, ministers,' and Messrs. Archibald Anderson and Alex. Rainie, elders, to represent the Synod at this Assembly having been read, and the deputies having addressed the House, the General Assembly desire to'record the great satisfaction which the presence and addresses of the deputies have'furnished to it,, and instruct the Moderator-to convey to them the cordial thanks of the Assembly, and request them to carry back to their Church the expression of the sincere sympathy which'is cherished towards it by the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.” ‘ . The motion was seconded, and agreed to. The Moderator then addressed the deputation. He deplored the opposition and ; difficulties which surrounded the Church and Christendom. There , appeared to him to be a, division in the Presbyterian body which did not exist either in the Anglican or Wesleyan denominations, . Harmony prevailed with them from one end of the colony to the other—a consummation which would he trusted bo brought about in their own body by the union of the Otago and North Island Churches. Prayers having been offered by the Moderator, tlio meeting adjourned at ten p.m. till eleven o’clock the following morning.