OTAGO EMERGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26541, 16 August 1947, Page 6

OTAGO EMERGES

The Auchterarder Case H The sturdy spirit of independence that typified the Otago pioneers probably owed much to the circumstances in which the Settlement was born. Scotland in the early decades of last century experienced a turmoil of ecclesiastical dispute which reached its climax in a triumphant declaration of the freedom of the Church known as the Disruption. From that Disruptioncame our first settlers. The traditional Church of Scotland method of settling a minister in a parish was by the “ Call ” of the congregation, sustained by the Presbytery or provincial court. But an Act of Parliament was passed which decreed that a patron who erected church buildings and paid the minister’s stipend had the right to appoint a minister of his own choice. Mostly such patrons consulted local opinion, but an increasing disregard for the wishes of the congregation led to a series of disturbances and secessions from the Church of Scotland by those who refused to tolerate the 'intrusion on 1 their liberty. The dispute reached a “Church versus State ” importance when, in 1834, Robert Young, a man unacceptable to the people, was “ appointed ” to the parish of Auchterarder. So • strong was the opposition that the General Assembly of the Church instructed the Presbytery to reject the appointee. Whereupon Mr Young and his . patron took the matter to a court of law, which decided in favour of the Patronage Act (the State's decree) against the decision of the Church. The hardy, independent spirit of the Scot reacted violently. What right had the State to interfere in matters spiritual! There was one Head of the Church, and the “ Crown Rights of the Redeemer ” were more ’ fundamental than the decrees of the State! Rather than be subject to control by the State in its domestic affairs, the Church should give up all financial assistance from State or from patrons. The Church must be free! That was the- mood of a great number of those who met for the fateful General Assembly of May, . 1843. —G.D