EVENING SEDERUNT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1156, 24 January 1874, Page 11

EVENING SEDERUNT.

The Synod resumed at 7 o'clock. UNION WITH TIIK PRESBYTERIAN (JHUKCK 01'

KI'AV ZEALAND.

The Clkuk read to the Synod the commission of the deputies from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.

The Rev. Dr Stuart said that, before the Synod was addressed by the Northern deputies, he might be allowed to explain why the deputies appoiuted at last meeting of Synod did not present themselves before the Presbyterian Church As&embly in Auckland. ' It unfortunately happened that that Assembly was convened on sth December — a time extremely inconvenient to himself as he could not be absent from Duuedin in the month of December. It was also equally inconvenient for the Rev. Mr Ryley to «o to Auckland. He intimated this to Mr Elnislie, but unfortunately before the letter reached him he had left for Auckland. He regretted with liis co-deputies that it haJ been incoirvenient for them to proceed to Auckland. As they were aware, mobt of the Synod were strongly iv favour of union with the Northern Church, and they would go out of their way, and would even make some sacrifices to attain that object so dear to them, and so fitted to promote the interests of their common religion.

The Eev. Mr Rylev and Mr Rknnie, the other deputies appointed by the Synod to attend the General Assembly, spoke to the same effect.

The Rev. Dr Stuart then introduced the Rev. Mr Hill, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of .New Zealand.

The Rev. Mr BTill, who was received with applause, then addressed the Synod, st iting that at the meeting of the Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, held in Auckland last December, the Eev. Mr M'Kinney and himself were appointed deputies to this Synod. He was sure they had both experienced great pleasure in attending to the transaction of the important business of the Church in Otago. It was known to the Assembly that this Synod had appointed deputies, and their absence was the cause of much disappointment, not only among members of the Assembly, but also amon,' members and adherents of the Presbyterian congregations in and around Auckland. There was reason to believe, however, that the absense of the deputies was owing to some uncertainty as to the time of the Assembly meeting, and not to a want of interest in their proceedings, aud the Assembly therefore agreed to appoint his reverend friend, and himself as deputies, Tfat> practice tf sending royreßgntfitives

to sister churches and assemblies, which was becoming so common in these clays, must commend itself to all interest cl in the cause of Christ. But there was much more implied in sending deputies to and for the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland and the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Some sister Churches might be so far asunder, or might be circumstanced so dissimilarly, that an occasional manifestation of esteem and regard might be all that could be looked for. But the Presbyterian Churches in New Zealand were so placed and were in such circumstances that the idea of an incorporated union must underlie all the communications that take place between them, and they as deputies from the North could in noway disguise the fact that this was the chief object of their visit on this occasion. — (Applause. ) They had to express their high regard for the ministers and members of the Presbyterian Church in this place, and an earnest desire to co-operate, as far as possible, in the advancement of their common cause. They had also to seek an advance towards that union which they believed the position and conditions of the two Churches made inevitable. So clearly did the duty of union issue out of the relationships of the two Churches that it had been before the minds of both ever since they began to assume considerable proportions. Even so far back as IS6I there was a conference in this city on the subject of union. This was followed by a conference on the same subject in 1862 in Auckland, and since then the subject had been more or less before the minds of Presbyterians in both Churches. There was one element in the constitution of both Churches that was peculiar, and that made their separate existence strange indeed. It was an element which lay at the foundation of the whole question. He alluded to the fact that both Churches were made up of ministers, office bearers, and members from the same Churches in the old country. In the Free Church and United Presbyterian Church in Scotland, between which union was recently attempted, there was no such thing. The ministers of those Churches had been trained in their own Churches ; they were still in their own Churches, and had never been anywhere else. So it was with the members. The two Churches were totally distinct. But here they were mixed, and so mixed as to be identical. As they were identical in conception, in principles, and docttines, ought not the two Churches to be one? And ought not the fusion that Has taken place effectively in the two cases be carried a little further, and might not all difficulties be taken away, so that the two Churches, by their situations and their natural affinities, might coalesce — as they would coalesce, if they were permitted, like two globules of quicksilver ? Like rills from the various quarters of the world they had met here and formed two streams. They were flowing on side by side. Let those two streams flow into each other, that there might be formed a river, on whose bright bosom might be carried the blessings of salvation to the inhabitants of this land. They had douc so in Victoria and New South Wales ; let them do so here ; and thus they would send a lesson from the children on these far distant shores to the old Churches in other countries — a lesson on the identity of the doctrines and principles of Presbyterianisin when stripped of their little differences — a lesson on the great subject of union — a lesson which they needed to learn — (laughter, and hear, hear) — a lesson for their great good, and for the praise and glory of Almighty God. llegardnig the real advantages of union between the two Churches in New Zealand, he did not think there could be two opinions. Ifc would give a prestige to their cause which it did not now possess. and whose influence would be of immense power. Not by gaudy show nor worldly pomp did the Presbyterian Church seek to accomplish her purposes ; but they would act contrary to their own ends, and therefore uuwisely, did they despise the influence of extent and numbers. The larger a Church was, the greater wa3 its power. Other denominations knew this ; they took good advantage of it, and the Presbyterians were acting unwisely in disregarding it. If united, the members of the Church would take a much greater interest in its work. There were some things that could be properly done only by a united Church. Notably, among these was the training of young men for the Ministry. Men who came from home had only one advantage over men trained in the Colonies. That one advantage was education. In all other respects the Colonial youth had the advantage. There arc peculiarities connected with Colonial life gonerilly that make it very difficult sometimes for men who come from home to be reconciled to it, and some scarcely ever become reconciled to it. With these peculiarities the Colonial youths are quite familiar, and it was the duty of the Presbyterian Church to keep that advantage for the Colonial youth, aud roinove the disadvantages of defective ministerial education. A moment's reflection was enough to show that this could best be done by a united Church. Co-operation was not enough. There was always insincerity about co-opera-tion, and they would get better mon to fill theological chairs, and botter support for them, with a united Church than they could separately. Besides," they would get a better class of young men to study for the ministry, when they know they were in a Church that opened the door to all New Zealand for spheres of usefulness. — (Hoar.) __ Then there was the extension of their Church. They were doing what they could in the North and in the South, but their work would be much more successfully carried on were theip efforts concentrated and united.

There was another matter which he regretted exceedingly to have to mention. They were cast in this Colony into the midst of a large heathen population. What were they doing for that heathen population ? What were the Presbyterians of New Zealand doing for it ? The Episcopalians were doing something ; the Wesleyans wcra doing something ; but what were the Presbyterians doing — what had they ever done ? He admitted they had Maori Missions, and had done something for them ; but he maintained that what they had done, and were doing, in comparison with what they ought to have done, and what they oughb to be doing, was not to their honour but to their dishonour. Although the Maoris were chiefly in the Noith, the Presbyterians had to look to the South for help. The Presbyterians in the South were just as much responsible for the evangelisation of the Maoris as those in the North — and, to be plain, the latter could not adequately overtake that work. They had to look to the South for help, and a moment's reflection was anough to convince them that this help could be best sought for and given by both becoming one Church. The unions that had taken place in the Christian Church in Scotland, Ireland, England, in Victoria, and New South Wales, and in America, he believed, had been all for good. God seemed to give a double blessing when concord and love, peace and harmony were permitted to triumph ; and there were infused into the Churches that became one, new vigour and new life. In the way of union he could not think there was any difficulty, if fairly faced, of any great account. In regard to endowments they would be held sacred for those, or for the objects to whom or for which they were given. In regard to the support of the ministry, he had to state that in the North they were and had been for some time contemplating the establishment of something like the Sustentation Fund existing here, The steps taken in that direction he was happy to say had been successful so far. The only real difficulty in the way of union that he knew of was the geographical circumstances in which they were placed, which might cause some inconvenience in reg ird to the meetings of a Synod or Assembly. But other Churches gi t over that difficulty, and so might they. The political business of the Colony was transacted by one Government, and so might the business oi their Church. Nay, more ;if the Middle Island were to be separated from the North politically, it would still be the duty of the Church to be united, because whatever worldly Governments might do, on the people of God there came an injunction from Heaven that they all should be one. He believed there was no difficulty in the way of union that honesty of purpose, large hearfcedness, and wisdom would not easily overcome. There was another point he must touch upon, and that was the time at which this union ought to take place. It was the opinion of the brethren in the North that it ought to take place immediately — that was to say, there should] be a decision given immediately for union ; that negotiations should be entered into immediately to carry out that decision, and that as soon as possible the union should take place. There Avas oue aspect of this question which affected the Church in the North more seriously than it did the Church of Otago. In fact, the Northern Church must know whether union was to take place or not. It was a necessity with them. There were some things in their Church seriously affected by the uncertainty of union. Prominent among these was the training of their young men for the ministry. The Otago Church was placed differently in regard to this matter, having facilities for carrying out its objects in this direction which the Northern Church did not pos&css. The latter had been putting off from time to time, a scheme for the education of t'eir young men, in view of the union which might take place with Otago. But they could delay this matter no longer if the union was not to take place for some years. The instructions that Mr M'Kinney and himself got from the General Assembly were clear and distinct. It a\-;is before the Assembly that the Synod of Otago were about to take steps m the direction of theological education, and the Assembly agreed to co-operate in founding bursaries and sustaining theological chairs, but it was also agreed that this should be done only if it were certain that the union was soon to take place. If that wore not certain, then the members of the Northern Church must take steps themselves to supply their own wants. In concluding his remarks, he might say that he hoped no one would imagine that this union was a necessity of their existence and prosperity as a Church in the North. He was glad to bay that the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand was in a healthy condition.— (Applause.) They had some 43 or 45 ministers. Many of those ministers preach in two places on Sunday- some in three. There was a growing interest in the Home Church in regard to their evangelisation work, mid as with the Otago Church thero was a willingness to give them greater support than ever in that work. The zeal of their own members was increasing, as they would see by the very gratifying facb that the money raised for the schemes of their Church last year was exactly double that raised for the schemes of their Church in the previous year — in fact, more than double what was raised during any previous year of their existence as a Church. They wore in a healthy condition — they sought no advantage, and they had none to give — (a laugh) — but they wished union because they believed that the Presbyterians of New Zealand were responsible for th.c evangelisation of all New Zealand— -(hear, hear, and ap* plftuee)— that they ought tp give mutual

help to each other wherever situated, and that mutual help could be effectually given only by the two Churches becoming one. The Rev. Mr M'Kixney was then introduced to the Synod, and was warmly received. He commenced by saying that he did not know he could do better than simply sit down again, after saying a big word which he thought belonged to Scotland — that was, that lie "homologated" every word of the speech delivered by his brother, the Key. Moderator of the General Assembly. He then went on to say that he desired to express the very sincere pleasure he had derived from attending the meeting of the Synod. It had done him a great deal of good, and had given him a great deal of pleasure indeed to see the orderly manner in which the business was conducted, and to hear, as he had heard on the previous night, of the signs of life, progress, and prosperity which they had connected with their Church. He then delivered a highly humorous and forcible address, pointing out the necessity and the advantages of a speedy union. At the conclusion of his speech he was warmly applauded. The Eev. Mr Stobo then proposed the following deliverance :—": — " The Synod having heard the addresses of Messrs Hill and M'Kinney. record thegratification with which they haA'e listened to their addresses, cordially reciprocate their desire for union, and request the Moderator to return the thanks of the Synod to the deputies for their excellent addresses, and request the deputies to communicate to their own Church the expression of this Church's brotherly affection and esteem."

The Key. Dr Stuart seconded the Eev. Mr Stobo's motion, which was agreed to.

The Moderator then, in accordance with the terms of the deliverance, tendered the thanks of the Synod to the deputies for their addresses.

The Rev. Mr Stobo said that he thought tills would be a fitting opportunity to bring up the report of the Committee on Union. He read the report as follows: — "Report of the Committee on Union. — Your Committee have not been able to hold any meeting since their appointment until the present Synod. The Convener has, however, put himself in connection with tho ex- Moderator of the Church in^tlie North, and has ventured to make some suggestions which he has reason to believe will meet the approval of the brethren in the North in the event of this Church moving in the direction of the incorporating union. These suggestions have reference chiefly to joint action fon the part of the two Churches in the way of theological training and in the mission field, whether at home or abroad. It is conceived that airangements might be made for the support of one theological professor by both Churches conjointly, and for founding scholarships in connection with the College or the future hall at Dunedin, to be competed for by students belonging to either Church. The Committee have resolved — Mr Bannerman protesting —to recommend that the Synod take steps towards an incorporating union with the brethren of the Northern Church." The rev. gentleman said it would be seen that the latter part of the report contained tho practical recommendation of the Committee. Formerly, the practice had been t merely to hang the matter up. He quite saw the geographical difficulty which Mr M'Kinney, with all his accumen, failed to see, but in the providence of God, that difficulty was fast disappearing. "When the arrangements for union were completed, the main trunk lines of railway would probably be constructed, or nearly so ; at all events the geographical difficulty would be greatly reduced. The difficulties which undoubtedly existed at one time were now disappearing, and he thought active steps should b« taken to bring about union. He would move — ''That the Synod approve of the report, mid appoint the folio wing^Committee to negotiate with the Committee apj)ointed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, ami to meet and to report at a future sedernnt of this Synod any suggestions which they may think desirable to make, and which the Synod may send down to £he Presbyteries for consideration if they see cause." (The Committee will be appointed to-day.)

The Eev. Mr Gow seconded Mr Stobo's motion, and expressed his great satisfaction at the contemplated union. He thought that there could only be one opinion that if there were not impassable obstacles us to doctrine or morality, there should be union. It was only a few year? since he was connected with the Northern Church, and he could speak with authority as to their identity of doctrine. Ho agreed with the Rev. Mr Stobo, that the geographical diilioulty was fast disappearing before the increased facilities for communication.

The Rev, Mr Bannerbian said he had an amendment to propose. He did so for the purpose of correcting some of the mistakes that the deputies had fallen into. The American Churches, when their union took place, were much older than those of New Zealand. He had no doubt that when the New Zealand Churches had reached tho same stage of development, they would follow the example of the American Churches, and present the same glorious spectacle of union and concord.

The Eev. Dr Stuart rose to a point of order. Pie did not think it was fair to tear the speeches of tho deputies to pieces, wheu those gentlemen had no opportunity of replying. The Moderator gavo his ruling in favour of the point of order raised by Dr atuart. The jßov. Mr Bannebmak then went on to say that tjje appointment of the Union Cony

mittee, and all steps taken in the direction of union, originated with the Northern Church. When the first proposal for union ■was made, the Synod of Otago and Southland did not see its way to such a sttp. If the union were then accomplished, or were accomplished now, it would present the spectacle « ia Church— such as did not exist in any other part of the world—a Church without a proper gradation of Courts, and a final Court of Appeal. The real cause of the disunion was, that the Church of Otago and Southland would not consider itself bound by a union which they had never seen, and to which they had never attached their signatures. The General Assembly of the Northern Church was a peripatetic body, and was composed chiefly of those ministers in the immediate neighbourhood of the place of meeting. If the members of that Assembly found it so difficult to attend an Assembly held so near to them, how much more difficult would it be for the members of the Church of Otago and Southland to attend such an Assembly. Toe Northern and Southern Churches had altogether separate spheres of action. If they had a common Assembly, their legislation would be of a harlequin description— a patch of Auckland one year, a patch of Canterbury next year, and a patch of Otago the following year. He believed a time would come when union would be effected, but he did not think that time had yet come. He thought the Churches of Otago and Canterbury might incorporate with great advantage. The Church in Canterbury took small interest in the affairs of the Church in the North, and they were very seldom represented in the General Assembly when it met in the North. He thought a union between the Churches in Otago and Canterbury was quite practicable. His amendment was to the effect— That whereas Providence had given the two Churches separate fields of labour, and whereas there was room in the sphere of each for further occupation, so as to bring them into closer proximity, it was resolved that until these more nearly approach there was no call to take immediate steps to prosecute the union contemplated by the motion.

Mr J. Paterson seconded the amendment, as Jhe did not think the Churches were yet ripe for union. The Rev. Mr Will, with reference to Mr Bannerman's remarks, said that it was an Assembly that met at Auckland and not a Conference. The Conference met at Dunedin, The Commissioners understood that they had the power to condenm the suggestions made and to make alterations. _ Probably they were mistaken. He believed that when the Synod of Otago considered the alterations that had been made in the basis of union, there was a request that the basis might be restored.

The Rev. Mr Baxxerman said there were two motions made. One was that the Synod called the so-called General Assembly merely a Conference, with no power to make the alterations. An amendment was carried to the effect that the Synod should protest against the change made. The Rev. Mr Will said that he understood that Dr Stuart protested against the change that had been made. The amendment was not transmitted until another meeting of the Synod, and then came the delay as to whether it should be transmitted to the Moderator of the Conference or the Moderator of the Assembly. The body which met at Auckland claimed to be the General Assembly. After what had been said about the two Churches and the Providence of God, it should not be forgotten that this was made to turn upon this simple point of order. Had the Clerk transmitted the resolutions to the Assembly, the whole matter would have been opened up for consideration. No such opportunity, however, was given. This presented the subject in a somewhat different view from that stated. The Assembly at Auckland attached no importance to the alteration, and would not have adhered to it, had it been known that such a construction was put upon it by any member of the Church. He concurred m the motion that had been made, and hoped that as soon as possible the union would be effected. The Rev. Mr Todd did not approve of the Synod going back on old matters. In takiuc up the subject of union, they should take ib°up afresh. They must face the difficulties tbat lay before them. He must take his share of the blame for the alteration of the basis of union. The real difficulty was a geographical one, for there were no difficulties^ Church (iovcrument. The congregations from the North called their ministers from the South, and vice verm. When the railways were formed the geographical difficulties would be obviated. He did not think a yearly assembly would do, but there would have to be biennial or triennial assemblies. They could do their woik as at the present time, and then the annual assemblies would act as a bond of union. At Tokomairiro they made a mistake, because the young members did not understand the past, a.nd by going back to the past here a mistake would be made. He meant on their part as a Synod. He cordially supported Mr Stobo's motion. Mr J. Duncan- said he was at Tokomairiro, and was a young member, but he had a knowledge of the past. The difficulties that existed then existed now. There was no difference in doctrine, but there was a slight difference in practice. He could not support Mr Stobo's resolution until he heard that this difference was done away with. The connecting of the North and South by railway might do away with some Of the other difficulties. yte per, jfir Waix eal4 ttot the differ-

1 ence alluded to by Mr Duncan had been almost done away with since then. The differences in practice were very small, and seeing the danger that threatened Christianity, they should be made as light as possible. It was his opinion that it was a pity the deputies had referred to the past. He had admired their speeches, but he was inclined to think that if union had taken place in the past it would have been premature. The difficulties were rapidly being overcome, and he did not see why they should not face the question. Why should not the Assembly meet with powers of conference, leaving certain of the powers to the Synod? Good ideas might be propounded in this way. The powers of the Conference should be increased or their powers of communication increased. He supported Mr Stobo's motion. The Rev. Dr Stuart said that he would give his vote to Mr Stobo. He did not want to go back thirteen years, but he would like to see an attempt made to consummate the union of the two Churches of New Zealand. The Committee would tell them next year that the path was clear, or would advise them to content themselves with co-operation for a few years. He did not think much of the geographical difficulties, which would become less and less in a few years. In America the ministers spent weeks in travelling, and preached aa they went. The Rev. Mr Johnston said he had heard Mr Bannerman read his motion with very great pleasure, as it only differed with Mr Stobo on a matter of time and not a matter of principle. The difficulties now in the way could be overcome, and he would support Mr Stobo's motion.

The Rev. Mr Waters thought that if a union could not be effected with any considerable harmony, it should not be prosecuted at all. There were two Churches in. New Zealand, but they were not divided in the manner that Churches at home were divided. In Scotland and England it was the general opinion that the two Presbyterian Churches should not be united, although they were not divided Churches. He did not believe that the practice and sentiment of Scotch Presbyterians could be forced on the English, and the same rule would, he thought, apply to the Otago Church and the North. These were laws of Nature. He believed that in Otago they were not ripe for a union, for they had only heard of the North people, and the Northern people had only heard of them. — (Mr Bannerman : We have a sample.) He was well pleased with the sample. They were more compact here than in the North. They were united at heart now, and he did not approve of the union at present. If they looked into the matter, they would find that there was a good deal of difference in practice that would interfere with the functions of an incorporated body. He thought a motion should be passed to the effect that they could not see their way to agree. This would not interfere with any future motion.

The Rev. Dr Copland said he had been waiting to hear any tangible argument against Mr Stobo's motion. In his opinion the amendment went in the same direction as the motion. It struck him that some of the most eloquent and forcible parts of the Rev. Mr Baniierman's speech were in favour of the motion. Some of Mr Baunerman's objectionsj appeared to be factitious. It had been said that the Assembly would be a peripatetic one. Perhaps it would ; and he did not see in this anything alien to the character of such an Assembly, for it was not without precedent. They could still have an Assembly even if the power of appeal were limited to the Synods. The objection as to the smalhiess of the assemblies that might meet would be removed by the Barrier Act. The geographical difficulties were every day becoming less, and in three years would have almost vanished. The practical demand for the union was that both Churches were engaged in a great work, in which they felt hampered in themselves, but which they could do better if they went forth in one strong army. He would ask them to remember the influence which the Church, as a Church, must desire to exercise over the weal of the country, independent of evangelical work.

The Rev. Mr Christie said he would vote against the union, as the people here were not united on the question.

The Rev. Mr Ross, of Queenstown, held thab, unless there was some insurmountable difficulty in the way of carrying out union, it was wrong to stand in the way. He did not know a question encompassed with so few difficulties as this one of union, and he did not see any except the geographical on*, while reasons why union should take place were getting more important day by day. He believed that they were called upon to strengthen their hands by all the means that Providence had placed within their reach, in the face of the menaces of infidelity and the sneering tone adopted by the Press. He did not see why there should be one dissenting voice from the motion. He would even go farther, and have an expression of opinion as to the importance of as early a union as possible.

The Eev. Mr Clark said he would vote for the motion, reserving to himself liberty to oppose the union when the Committee reported.

Mr (Smith thought the geographical difficulty of le-=s importance than the other difficulties. The Synod ought to look, at the consequences of union at home.

Mr Moore wanted to know what benefits the union would confer. If all the ministers were labouring now to their fullest power, he did not see how the work was to be increased by union, unless there were to be more labourers. Let tljtnj fo-opq^t? first, an,d v

they worked well let them incorporate, but he did not want to have the incorporation first. The time for union, was when the two Churches began to press upon each other's borders. Incorporation and internal disunion were much to be dreaded.

Mr E. B. Cargill said the Synod could not consider this question without reference to what had been done in the past. It appeared to him. that the desire for union came very earnestly from their brethren in the Northern part of New Zealand. A great deal of consideration was due to the strong desire expressed by them in the North to become attached to the Church of Otago. There might be a slight difference in practice, but there was no suspicion that there was any divergence on points of doctrine. This difference in practice might render it all the more advantageous tor them to be united to a strong body like the Church in the South. — (Hear, hear.) The South too might be benefited by conference with the North; for after all, our Presbyterianism here, although we thought it very good, might really be getting a little mouldy. — (Laughter.) The geographical difficulty did Btand in the way, but would become weaker every day. He thought Mr Stobo's motion worthy of sup port. Captain Thomson said he had pleasure in supporting Mr Stobo's motion. Mr Malloch also supported the resolution. The Rev. Mr Gillies said that the great difficulty had been evaded by those who had spoken on the subject. The real difficulty was the resolution of the Auckland Conference with respect to the introduction of instrumental music. It was left to each congregation to determine tbis matter, and this was the question — Were we to do this, or was each Synod to determine for itself ?

Mr Millar spoke in opposition to the union, and said that the country members in the North were very badly paid, and the North had something to gain in the matter, though it might not be thought so. The geographical difficulties stood greatly in the way. Let them co-operate as heartily as possible, but he thought they should pause before passing the motion, which would commit the Synod to a certain extent.

The Rev. Mr Eyley believed that great and lasting blessing would result from the incorporating union of the Churches here. They had the result of the American Union before them. They should go forward in the matter in the face of the unions that had taken place elsewhere, and the negotiations now gome; on between the Churches of England and Scotland, and the decision on the eligibility question. If the amendment proposed by Mr Bannemiaii were adopted it would place the Synod in an unworthy light in the eyes of Christendom. Mr Chisholmt supported the union, and could not see that there had been any tangible argument on the other side. The Rev. Mr Greco; said that he had not beeu convinced that the Churches were ripe for union.

Mr Rennte supported the motion, and thought that the motion had been very well discussed.

The Rev. Mr Chisiiolm said that the real difficulty was referred to by Mr Gillies, for it had, to some extent, led to the breaking up of the negotiations before. At the sime time, he was prepared to vote for Mr Stobo's motion, as the advantages of union would make more than amends for a little latitude in the matter of the difficulty referred to. The Rev. Mr Stobo, in reply, said that the statement made by Mr Gillies with reference the first rock upon which they split was not correct. The real rock was the fact that the Conference at Auckland proceeded to alter the basis of the union. Some held that this was a mere verbal alteration, but others thought otherwise. He believed that Mr Bannerman agreed with him in this matter. Mr Bannerman had told them that he would go in for a union with Canterbury, where in nearly every Church the harmonium was left an open question. The difficulties with respect to Canterbury were the same as those that applied to union with the whole of New Zealand. There was no analogy between our position here to the position of the English and Scotch Churches. Jn the question of union there might be difference ; but that wf « iob a matter of sufficient importance ts warrant them in persisting in separation. He did not regret that the union would not probably be consummated for two or three years. The motion and amendment were then put, 28 votes being recorded for the motion, and 1 1 for the amendment. The Moderator declared the motion car-

ried The lev. Mr S'i'ono then proposed that the Committee should consist of the following : — Ministers — Messrs Will, D. Boss, Stuart, (Jhisholm, Watt, Gillies, Johnston, and Stobo. Elders— Messrs Shaw, Cargill, Thomson, Samuel, and Alleu. After a slight discussion on the constitution of the Committee, it was determined to allow the matter to stand over until next day.

The Cromwell Argus states that " a large number of Chinamen working at the Nevis are reported to have ' skedaddled' in the direction of the West Coast. A good many of them are said to have gone without paying a visit to their storekeeping countrymen, Kein Yung Pong and Sun on Lee. It is also said that a European miner receives £50 for piloting them across the country." The Bendigo correspondent of the same paper says :—": — " I see John Chinaman is gradually falling into our ways. Some of them up here actually observed a holiday on Christmas day, and took advantage of it to enjoy their ' opium ' cum dlgnUa,t?y