PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 665, 27 August 1864, Page 10

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The subjoined extrwt from the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Pcotland, which was adopted by the Assembly at its meeting ia Edinburgh, in May last, will be gratifying to many oi our readers. We need scarcely say that it principally refers to tbe action which the Presbytery of Otago was pleased tq take, some time ago, in the matter of the union ot the Presbyterian Churcbes.'of this colony :— "The fair prospect held out, at the period of lut year's Report, of a consummated union of the presbyteries and congregations in Neir Zealand, has been rudely disturbed. Soon after the Auckland Conference detailed in last Report, the Presbytery of Otago took exceptions, subsequently to the proceedings of that Conference and of their own Commissioners, as to certain alterations of the basis in regard ti the subordinate Standards of the United Church, and some other matters. They further protested against being held as consenting parties to the Union ; and instead of sending a remonstrance to tho General Asiembly of New Zealand, they strangely addressed their protest to the Conference at Auckland — a body of men convened for a specific purpose, and whose corporate existence terminated when their work was done. At the recent meeting of the Assembly of the United Church at Wellington in. November last the whole natter was taken op in a brotherly spirit, and commissioners were appointed to meet with the Otaso Presbytery for mutual explanations Tint Presbjtery, however, without waiting even f>r the presence o£ the commissioners, has seen fit to come to a final decision by a- minority of six to three, repudiating? the Union on the Auckland basis. This result is very painful to contemplate, whatever ground the Otago .Presbytery had for disagreement with the conclusions of the Auckland Conference, and with the conluct of their own commissioners in framing the modified basis, their subsequent want of courtssy and brotherly spirit is deeply to be ' hmentsd, more especially as they did not adopt the plain course open to them of going to the Assembly at Wellington with a remonstrance, and endeavouring to get the matters thus rectified. However, as the matters of dispute are so trivial and aouecsential, it is to be hoped thit mutual dealings and explanations may yet remove the obstacles, and p rait these churches to form a strong and united body. Tlie Uev. W. Will, of Taieri, deputed by the New Zviland Churches to procure and send oat additional ministers, has bsen prosecuting hw work actively iD this country during' the past year, and has t ucceeded in procuring the seivices of six ministers for Otagi, for whoee pa^saj! 3 nnd outfit thß means h;»ve been placed ia Mr Will's hands by the Otago Presbytery.

Mr Will has also addressed the students at oar various coll?ge% and held meetings in various towns, with tho view of diffusing information, about New Zealand, and stirring up an increase of interest at home in the matter of the spiritual necessities of the colonies. Mr Will's statements and addresses have been cordially received, and good fruit is expected to result frcm these efforts."