GENERAL ASSEMBLY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7961, 18 November 1911, Page 6

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

(By Tho General Assembly of tho Brooby torian. Church of Now Zealand, which lias been holding iU sittings in Dunedin during the last fortnight, prctycni.4 man} features of interest to those l>oth within and without tho Church whoso supremo ecclesiastical court tho Assembly is. As a Church court it has historical associations which reach iar into the* remote past. But these need not be touched upon hero further than to note that such rel'erenco establishes the fact that tho Presbyterian Church is an or-, "animation which has stood the test ol time. As its constitution, too, has endured practically unchanged ironi the turn? of iis first institution in tho sixteenth century, this fact alone indicates there must be something vital about that constitution, which, amid the changes and conflict* of time, has conferred upon it such power of continuity. This factor for permanency is found in its well-balanced democracy- -It is a well-known fact ol history that tho constitution of tho United States of America was very largely inspired from that of the Presbyterian Church. When it is reflected how many self-governing communities of to-day and throughout the world have or are importing into their constitution what has been (xirrowed from America, it is seen what an inspiration this Church has Wn tor tho political organisation of the* world. it is, then, a branch of this Church, eo universally ami widely known and organised throughout Christendom, whoso supremo court has been sitting in this New Zealand city. Pew or tho citizens, however, have thought of tho Assembly in its historical association. To most it has been a pleasing, albeit passing excitement and interest. To Presbyterians it has been something more. It has been to them an outward expression, of the sfcx-ength and life of the Church dear to them and, dearer to their fathers' before them. Ministers and elders, representative of their various presbyteries and parishes throughout the length and breadth of the land, have gathered to tho groat meeting. “From Dan even to Bcersheba. “ they have come. Their arrival has caused quite u. flutter in many a household, which has opened its doors hospitably to receive them, giving , unto them of its best, bearing with late hours in consequence >f long “sederunts” or sittings of Assembly, changing the conversation, of tho breakfast or dinner-hour from social to theological or ecclesiastical topics. A THEOLOGICAL ATMOSPHERE.

At such'a time, the elders and younger ministers aro quartered in. squadrons In all the hotels, so that in the smokingrooms it is no mi common thing to hear a running controversy not as to the respective ohoncee of certain favourites of the turf, nor as to whether So-and-so is likely to carry such and such a constituency at the coming election, but the oar is held attentive over discussions as tj "points of order/’ the relevancy of certain rulings of Assembly, the merits of preachers; or the conversation drifts irto discussions as to socialism, economics, or the higher criticism. A due discretion, however, is observed by the young glories when tackling the last subject in the presence of the elders, the grave faces of these men. having a salutary effect in checking the natural exuberance of youth in the enunciation of fanciful theories. Strange to state, too, -the "commercials” and other knockabouts found in such places, while they will patiently endure points of orders, and even join in discussions, ns to the illusion or otherwise of socialism, yet incorrigibly take to flight at reference to tho higher criticism. A clay at the Assembly means a busy day. Business begins, in the morning at teu and with but two intervals for meals, each of a couple of hours’ duration, is continued until ten at night- Many members, too, serve on one or other of the church’s committees, which service means generally curtailment of the meal hours, or an hour’s duty before the general business begins. To tho outsider, to, sit for a day listening to or taking part in debates may not seeip otherwise than pleasant; but one has only to watch tho rubicund face of many a minister or elder from the country turn pale and dark circles gather round his eyes to perceive that constant attendance involves a certain strain. By the close of Assembly, too, there is sometimes apparent a certain restlessness. It is then that "breezes,” little ebullitions of temper, at times and unexpectedly are wont to ruffle the Assembly’s usually placid surface; and members who generally are most patient and genial, become for tho time being other than themselves. But such little scenes, in the expression of aught which is otherwise than the most friendly sentiments, are but skin deep, and ministers and elders —but especially the former—who in debate may do mauling each other, outside tho house will' meet ns tho best of friends, Tho wonder is that, considering its many provocations, the Asembly behaves as well as it does.

Tho air which generally pervades an Assembly is one of grave decorum, combined with quiet cheerfulness, when some convener, say, presents a favourable ro~ porbfftunhis committee, ora minister in sportive mood cracks a joke, or the convener of the business committee reports that the Assembly is to have its photo taken. The remarkable self-restraint and patience generally manifested by the members is doubtless very much by reason. of the conditions of business. With the Assembly is invariably’ assn elated tho moderator. This is the minister who has been chosen by tho church to preside at its sittings to keep order in the house, and to adjudicate or give rulings over points of eccelosiastical law. Generally, in an assembly, there is only one member dares to advise the modern tor with impunity in such matters. This is the clerk, who is ns nothing in his otKco if he is not an ecclesiastic* WHEN 1 THE HOUSE ASSEMBLES.* It is fine to watch the house assemble of a morning. First tho members gather in little bevies about tho door. There are groups in tho corridors about tho Tetter racks. Friends meet, who it may be have not forgathered for years. .But one by ono the members mako their way into the roomy church, as a rule tho largest of its denomination in the town in which the Assembly meets. In case of tho Dunedin Assembly three ministers are seem at a table on the platform. These are the clerk, his assistant, and tho convener of the business committee. Behind' these gentlemen is the moderator's chair, as yet vacant. To one side but behind the clerk's table is a smaller, at which the church treasurer is seated. There is as yet just another on the platform. This is tho organist, who stated c.t a small American organ leads the praise of the Assembly, Steadily and for tho most part silently or talking in subdued tones, tho members file into the church. They have not all reached their places in tho centre and side aisles, when “tho moderator" is announced by tlio church officer. The members present stand as the minister holding for the time this tho highest office of the church enters and seats himself. Ho announces n palsm or hymn, which is heartily sung. This is followed by reading from Scripture and prayer. Thereafter, tho clerk reads the minutes of meetings of previous day, which aro confirmed. Then tho convener of the business committee announce* the order for the day, and the Assembly proceeds to business. Dunedin. November 15th.