THE STORM IN THE VICTORIAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4294, 24 December 1874, Page 3

THE STORM IN THE VICTORIAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

(From the Melbourne Daily Telegraph.) The storm in the Presbyterian Church consequent on the induction of "the Rev. R. K. Ewing can still be heard raging. The last thunder mutterings ai'e at Ballarat, and are consequent upon the Courier, which is what our American cousins would call a “ live ’-’ newspaper, dealing rightly or wrongly witlx all the questions of the day, finding it impossible to refx’ain from comment. Both the Moderator of the church and the Rev. D Fraser were compelled to inform our contemporary that it was mistaken in its views, and probably the Rev. A. Robertson was only restrained fi'oxn grasping bis pen by having an outlet for his feelings from time to time iu our own columns. Mr. Fraser’s letter may be deemed characteristic. The Courier had alluded to his forbearance and Christian humility in receiving the admonition of the Church. The rev. gentleman explains—“My words to the Moderator wore —‘ I shall listen to you respectfully—that is all and it was all. My whole bearing, I mxxst candidly admit, did not show the Christian forbearance and resignation with which yoxx credit me. I deliberately meant to show indignant scorn for tho mean and contemptible machinations of the malignant cowards who imposed on honest and impetuous Dr. Cairns by making him their tool. They kxxew they had no chance of a majority excepting by making him their trump.” “Be it so,” replies tlxe Moderator in yesterday’s Courier. “More may be heard of this statement by and by ” —an intimation the significance of which Mr. Fraser will well understand. Tho Rev. A. Robertson is hinting at a resort to the Supreme Coixrt, and is warning the venerable olei'k of the assembly to mind his own business, and not ventux'c into West Melbourne. The Rev. D. h’raser, is writing lively letter's, and trailing, as it were, his coat on the ground, and the Rev. B. K. Ewing maintains possession of a Presbyterian pulpit after the corporate authorities of the church have renounced him. Under such circumstances, tho commission of the assembly at its exxsuing sitting is likely to have its bands full of delicate work and grave responsibilities.