PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8007, 11 February 1887, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Thursday, February 10. The Assembly rtearned at 10 a.m. RECEPTIONS. On the motion of Rev Mr Doull, seconded by Rev Mr Paterson (Wellington), lit was agreed that the applications of Rev Mr'Hogg and John Elraslie Archibald, lor reception to tho Free Church of Scotland, should be remitted to the committee already appointed to consider such applications. VIOLATION OF ASSEMBLY DECISIONS. Rev Mr Ogg moved that the attention of the Assembly should be drawn to a breach of privilege committed by the Rev John Rosa, of Turakina, in ignoring & decision of the Assembly. * In speaking to Hia motion, Mr Ogg said that he had no personal feeling in the matter -whatever. The Assembly would no doubt remember that some two years ago they suspended from the ministry a man fewhose name he need not mention. The facta were well known to every member of the Assembly, and to no one better than Mr Rosa. Mr Ross had invited that gentleman to preach in bis congregation, and be (Mr Ogg) considered that such action was in direot contravention to the decision of the Assembly* Any rev gentleman who knowingly invited a man who had been suspended by the Assembly to preach to his congregation was, in his opinion, guilty of a great breach of privilege. Rev Mr McGregor regretted that a matter in connection with a man who was highly esteemed and respected in the Assembly had been brought before them. No matter what Mr Ogg might say, or what action the Assembly might take, he felt snro that every member who knew Mr Rosa would regret that the matter bad ever been brought before the Assembly. He would move that the matter be allowed to drop. Rev Mr Gordon, in seconding the motion, said that the gentleman referred to was one of the moat respectable teachers on their Board. He did not think that Mr Ross had been guilty of any contempt, and he thought the matter should drop. Rev Mr Runoimaa said that of all the most extraordinary statements he had ever heard in that venerable Assembly was the one just made by Mr Gordon to the effect that any member who had a;ked a suspended member of the Assembly to preach in a member’s pulpit, had not foesu guilty of contempt. He would move, as an amendment, that the atteotion of the Presbytery of Wanganui be directed to the fact that the person named bad resumed the. exercise of bis gift of preaching within their bounds, aud the Assembly enjoin tho Presbytery to deal with the case in accordance with the law and practice of the Church. Per Mr Uee seconded the amendment. Eav Mr Gillies thought that the time of the Assembly should not be taken up in discussing such matters. Mr Ogg had no right to bring the matter before the Assembly without first having brought the matter before the notice' of the Presbytery of Wanganui, of which Mr Boss was a member. In his opinion the whole matter savored ef persecution. He did not think that Mr Eosa had done anything to warrant the dissent of the Assembly, and he would strongly object to any censure whatever being passed on that gentleman. ... Eev Mr Treadwell moved as a further amendment that the matter brought under the notice of the Assembly be referred to the Presbytery within the bounds within which the Eev J. Boss resides. Oa being pat the Eav Mr Treadwell’s amendment was carried. Eev Mr Gillies entered his dissent again at the resolution of the Assembly. Bov Mr Treadwell moved That the attention of the Assembly. be drawn to a breach of privilege committed by the Eev C. S. Ogg, of St Andrew’s, Wellington, and that he bad been guilty of contempt of a decision of the Assembly. - ■ , In speaking to his motion, Mr Treadwell said that Mr, Ogg had acted as an assessor in granting an application to a student of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland withont first obtaining the consent of the Assembly. Eev Mr Ogg was very much surprised at the result of a charge which had been brought against him with so much ostentation—a charge that had been brought for. ward with so much malicious intent. The Clerk immediately rose and asked whether the word “ malicious ” was allowable in the Assembly. (Members: No!) The Moderator said Mr Ogg had better withdraw the word. Rev Mr Ogg withdraw the word, and substituted the word “ false.” It was evident that Mr Treadwell had trumped up tho charge against him because be (Mr Ogg) had made a charge against a member of his presbytery. If he hod not made that motion the Assembly would never have heard anything of Mr Treadwell’s motion. He entirely repudiated the charge brought against him with so much’ personal feeling. He bad no idea that he had ever transgressed against an injunction of the Assembly, aud if hs had done so he would apologise. After {some further discussion ‘a motion, moved by the Eev Mr Erwin, seconded by Eev McCallum, That the Assembly conld not enter into the discussion of the subject in the terms of motion given by Mr Treadwell, was passed, and the matter dropped, RULES OF FORM AND PROCEDURE. Eev Mr Gillies, in the absence of the Chairman of Committee (Rev K. Somerville) oa Rules and Forms of Procedure, read a report from the Committee, and other docu. ments bearing on it, namely, a decision from the Presbytery of Auckland, stating that, owing to the shortness of the time allowed to consider the proposed book of Church order, the Presbytery were not prepared to give aoy opinion on the book ; also an overture from the Hawkes Bay Presbytery asking the adoption of the Barrier Aol; and a communication from Bov R, Somerville (Chairman of tho Committee) explaining why ho could not report, and resigning chairmanship of the Committee, Eev Mr Erwin moved—That tho provisional report of the Committee be accepted, and that Mr Gillies’explanation of the matter complained of by Mr Somerville was satisfactory, and that the Assembly proceed at once to discuss the book. This was seconded by Mr Riddell. An amendment was moved by Eev Mr Colder—That the book be sent to the presbyteries and sessions of the Church for consideration, Eev Mr Runciman seconded. A further amendment to the effect that the Assembly atouce proceed to discuss the book, was, on the motion of Rev Mr Erwin, seconded by Mr Liddy, carried. The book, consisting of 134 clauses, was then considered. Clauses 1,2, and 3 were agreed to. The Assembly then adjourned till 3 p.m. AFTERNOON"BITTING. The Assembly sat at 3 p m., and the consideration of the clauses in the book of roles and forms of procedure was resumed. Fifty-one clauses were considered in connection with the Church, congregation, and session. Various amendmen’s and alterations were made in the clauses. At 5 p.m. the discussion was further ad. journed till 3 p.zn. next day. EVENING SITTING. The Assembly convened at 7 p.m. GREET IRC. Before the business of the evening began

tha Moderator read a telegram from Sir William Fox and T. W. Glover, of tUeNejr Zealand Alliance, wishing all success to the Aisembly, and thanking them for their help to the Alliance. DEPUTIES FUOM OTAUO. Ilcv Mr Cairns reported that he and Mr Hurt, elder, bad attended the Synod of Otago and Southland as dsputieo of the Assamuly. and that they had been kindly received by, the Southern body, the rev gentleman then introduced Revs J. terguason and McCosh Smith, who were cordially welcomed by the Assembly. Rev MeCosh Smith thanked the Assembly for the kindness accorded to him and nis colleagues since they had been in Wellington. He conveyed the greetings of the Chnroh of Otago to the Assembly. ills Church took a deep interest m the progress of the Church in the North, and he expressed a wish that the time was coming when they would be incorporated. Rev Mr Forgussou said that things had been committed to his care to bring be fore the Assembly. The first was in conneoneotion with the professorship of the College in Otago. Ho spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr D u noan as a capable man to till the position of the Divinity chair. Another matter was the establishment of an order-book - he was shutting the door after the steed was stolen—for he had listened that afternoon to a discussion on a hook proposed to bo established by the Northern Chnroh. After listening to that discussion he had come to the conclusion that it would do no harm to lie before the Presbyteries for twelve months, although he could hardly hope that the Assembly would do that now. Ho hoped that something mignt be done that one book might answer for Loth He had also been commissioned by Dr Stewart, of the Otago Church, to offer the Northern Church a snare of the religious paper “Presbyterian,” as complaints had been made that the Church in the North was not represented in the paper. Dr Stewart had given him inotruotious to offer one-hau the paper to the Northern Church. Presbyterians in the South wanted to know of the doings of the Ministers in the North—if there were any quarrels or troubles. He would heartily recommend them to accept the offer. ■ , , Rev Mr Cairna moved that the thanks of the Assembly be given to the deputies from the Synod of Otago and Southland for their address, and that the Assembly rejoice in the success which has attended the labors of the Synod, and in the zeal and earnestness displayed in. its various . departments of Church work; that the Assembly renew their expression of fi atermil regard, and pray that the Synod might bo more and more a power for good in this new country. Rev Mr Oalder seconded the motion, which was carried. KELIQION AND MOBAL3. The discussion on the Committee’s report on the above subjects was taken up by the Rev Mr Treadwell, who moved the adoption of the report, although he did so with some little diffidence. The report was an admirable one, and a very comprehensive one. The Committee had very properly taken into consideration the obstacles against the caoses of religion in this Colony. The lack of home religious training was one of them, but ho would not lay emphasis on that subject, but to the desecration of tho Sabbath and gambling. It seemed to him' that love of pleasure and worldliness had taken the place of the love to keep the Sabbath sacred. ■ There appeared to be a determination to sweep the observance of the Sabbath day away in New Zealand. The love of pleasure and;worldliuess had overthrown the earnest observance o£ the old day of rest. The spirit of gambling was rife from one end of this laud to the other. There were practices legalised by the Government which i ■-largely advanced ■ this love of gambling.’ Ho alluded to the totalisator. He was satisfied from : what he had read ‘ and from-' what he had heard from iuteliigeut men that if anything was the cause of the, growth of gambling in this Colony, it was the totalisator. It made people perfectly safe from the law, who otherwise would not gamble, and at its door could belaid the development and advance of gambling throughout the Colony. Thera was one other subject he would line to speak on not mentioned ia the report, and that was that there were a large number of PresbytoriansinthiaColonyoutside their Church. He urged that it was tbe function of the Church to get within their walla those Presbyterians who were outside. Ho mentioned that there were some 20,000 Presbyterians in tho Colony who did not belong to the; Church. He would move : “ That the Assembly adopt the report, with thanks to tho Committee, and especially to the convener; that they express their gratitude .to the Groat Head of the Chnroh for the success which he had been pleased to grant in connection with labor expended on direct evangelization, 5 They at the same time recognise the enormity of the evils which: in this new land stand in. the way of the Church of Christ, and the true welfare of the’ people; especially that they deplore the extent to which gambling, Sabbath desecration, and the lack of home religion prevail; that they call upon tho ministers and people o! the Church to consecrate themselves tho morc to the service of the Lord, and in the ways indicated iu the report or otherwise, to oppose tho evil mentioned in it; and further, that in the honest belief that the sanction which has been ■ given to gambliug through the legalizing of the totalizator, has developed tha spirit of gambling, and the actual practice of it, that they resolve to address to the Government a respectful remonstrance against the continuance of snob sanction.” Rev Mr Elmslio,seconded tha motion. He hailed with joy the" revival of the Church in some pacts of the Colony, which he hoped would extend throughout the Colony. ; Rev Mr Colder ; spoke strongly on the evil of Sunday desecration. Rev Mr McGregor thought that » greater exhibition of evangelistic feeling in the Chnrch would lead to a lot of good. Rev Mr MoCallum hoped that an end would be put to the totalisator. He had had sad experience of tha effect of this gambling instrument. He mentioned that over £7OOO had been passed through the, instrument by boys in his own district (North Shore.) He trusted that the voiae of tho Assembly would go forth to assist those bodies who were moving in'.the matter of getting the machine abolished. He would not have spoken ss he had done if he had not witnessed tho sleets of this terrible curse in the community. Rev J. K. Elliott said that the commercial morality ’’ prevailing - throughout the Colony, especially in Wellington, was somotuing disgraceful. One description of Sabbath desecration - was' the playing of bands, and he thought - that the congregations shonld put a stop to that by declining to subscribe to the charities till tbe band-playing on Sunday was prohibited. The report was adopted, and Rev Mr Treadwell’s motion carried.

foreign missions. Rev Mr Treadwell, convener of the Committee on the.above subject, read a very lengthy report on the work of the missionaries at the new Hebrides. The Committee reported that on the whole the work dono at the Islands was. very successful, with the exception of the Island of i'anna. The Committee pointed out that there were two obstacles in the way of progress in missionary work at the group. One of these .was that owing to the great progress made, the mission vessel bad ceased to be able to meet the imperative wants of . the mission. There Wl ui a difference of opinion between Melbourne and Sydney as to whether the mission should procure another sailing vessel of larger capacity, or a vessel both of greater capacity and with auxiliary steam-power. Another obstacle was the threatened seizure of the Islands by the French. That was the Catherine cloud which, if it were_fairly to break, would deluge the mission with disaster. Whether it would do ep did not yet quite clearly appear, the oloud still being in suspense, and no farther move had been made by the hostile Power. In conclusion, the Committee urged upon the Assembly that should France, without any alteration of purpose, be waiting treacherously to make a further spring, would it not be well that the Church, as represented in the Assembly, renew its opposition in such a way as they may think best, by a letter, perhaps, to the Premier of the Colony, which should be subscribed by the Moderator in the name of the Assembly ot the Church. ■ A , , , Rev Mr Elmslie thought the reportshonld be adopted. He thought that they shoold endorse the opinion of the Committee that the Premier should protest against the annexation of the Kew Hebrides by the : French.

The Rev Mr Calder seconded the motion, and hoped that the English Government would prevent the occupation of the group by the French, for if they were permitted to 10 coolly take possession of the group in deisanoe of all international treaties, what guarantee had they that she would be content with these islands t The Rev Mr Gillies moved that the As. sambly adopt the report with thanks to the Committee, especially the convener; express thankfulness to, God for the tokens of suebees enjoyed during the past year; request the convener to convoy to Mr Murray the deep sympathy of the Assembly with.him m the heavy bereavement which he basin the providence- of God been called to undergo, but rejoice that through the supporting grade of God be bm determined to remain at bis post; records its continued admiration

of the faithful and self-denying labors of Mr and Mrs Watt of Tanna, and hope that the arrangement for printing of the Scriptures into tho language of the Tanneae ia but a token of tbe duynprlng soon to arise on that dark inland. The Assembly would agam give oarmi'it expression to its profce.it against tbe French being allowed to take possession of the Nov 7 Hebrides islands, and request the Moderator to write to the Premier or New Zealand urging that the influence o£ the Government may be used to prevent the threatened annexation; approve of placing the proxy in the hands of the Mission Board of Sydney, with the expression of the Assembly's preference for an auxiliary steam vessel if at all practicable. . This was seconded by Rov Mr Calder, ana carried. The Assembly adjourned at 10.15 P* m * ““ next morning.