PRESET TERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 26

PRESET TERI AN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

1 (Feom Oxjb Own Cobbespovoent.) WELLINGTON, November 12. The Assembly met this morning at 10 ©'clock, and spent the first hour in devotional exercises.

"The Rev. Mr Sidey, assembly clerk, called the roll and reported on the year's ministerial changes.

The announcement by the Moderator that B5 of the passengers and crew of the Ehngajnite had been rescued was received with a burst of anplause. The treasurer's statement, as printed, was read by Mr Sidey. He said that the Assembly's expenses fund had been wonderfully m»t this year, but still there would be a deficiency." He advocated the revival af the regulation adopted by the northern church, that delegates should only receive actual travelling expenses by the cheapest route. An inquiry as to whether the words "cheapest routed meant steerage on the boats elicited a reply in the negative. Delegates were entitled to travel saloon in the boats and second class on the railways. Tho following resolution was moved by Mr J. G. W. Aitken (Wellington) and seconded by iir J. Adam (Clutha) : " (1) That the Assembly give thanks to the treasurer for his report and statement, and agree to the recommendation made that the future ledger of the church be in the form of the late Otago Church ledger; (2) that half of the amount remitted by Messrs Nesbitt and Co. in connection with sales of Church Praise be given to the Assembly Expense Fund ; (3) that the convenors of committees in proposing a motion involving expenses should state in their motion the approximate sum required ; (4) that all stations be required to pay their 'assembly expense assessment as a condition of their obtaining a grant from the Church •Extension committee ; (5) that the representatives of oresbyteries to the General Assembly shall receive travelling expenses fey the cheapest route as previously acted upon in the Northern Church; (6) and that ihe arrangements previously, existing by which the Rev. W. J. Corari* gave assistance to the clerk should be renewed, the appointment to be made for one year." In moving the resolution, Mr Aitken taid that the remuneration proposed to be paid to Mr Comrie was £15, a sum so totally inadequote to *he amount of work involved thai, •were he addressing a trades union meeting, he would be ashamed to mention it. The amendment was di?cussed clause by clause. Two amendment* to clause 2— viz., that the whole amount should go to the Assembly Expeuses Fund, and that the whole amount ■should go to the Aged and Infirm Ministers Fund were defeated, and the clause carried in its original form. Clause 4 wa» opposed by the Rev. C. S. Ogg, who said that the finances of the General Assembly were getting into a etate o.f confusion a-nd difficulty, and that they were rapidly approaching a large deficit. He did not think that any expenses should be allowed to ministers and elders attending the In America they never thought of asking for expenses, and they would have to come to that next year. It was an honour to have the privilege of coming to the assembly, and it was worth paying for. — Dr Envin (Christchurch) moved that the clause be deleted. Ho said that the small charges' received very little benefit from the assembly, and they should not furnish the clerk with extraordinary powers to recover assessments. At the same time he did not- approve of -Mr Ogg" s -attitude. Mr' Ogg had resisted the authority of the assembly in not paying the ar,s^ssment of the Church Extension Committee, and he should submit.— The Rev. D." Borrie, in leeondmg the amendment, said that a threat Df that kind ought not to be carried out. Mission stations should be exempted until they- sent representatives to the assembly. — After further discussion the amendment was carried, and clause 4 deleted. In respect to clause 6, the Rev. S. W. Currie (Clutha) Baid chat it would be better that the clerk's salary be increased by £15, and that he make his own arrangements for assistance, * suggestion in which Rev. W. Hewitson and Dr Erwin concurred.— Rev. J. Gibb said that, while he sympathised with the suggestion, he would vote for the motion on the understanding that it created no precedent. — Ultimately the clause was agieed to,' to take effect for one year only. On *h« motion of Rev. D. Borrie, the following addendum was made to Mr Aitken's motion: — "That the Church Extension Committee of the Northern Church be required to pay the 3£ per cent, assessment as made by last assembly." — The motion as amended .was then carried, and the assembly adjourned. Before the delegates dispersed a photograph of the assembly was taken for publication in the Otago Witness. The assembly resumed at 7 o'clock. Applications for licenses from the Dunedin Presbytery were agreed to as follows: 'John Chisholm, Donald M'lvor, H. T. Blair, D. 11' Coll, William Mawson, and lawrence Thomson ; also the applications from the Southland Presbytery for license to Alexander Thompson. A telegram of greeting was received from the Baptist Conference in Auckland, and ft. letter from the Otago District Synod of the Wealeyan Methodist Church stating that the synod regarded the union of the north and south churches as part of a wider movement, and expressed thankfulness for the spirit of union v.hicb is bringing to-

gether the evangelical churches of Christendom.

The Rev. Dr "Watt was nominated as Moderator for 1903 by a large number of presbyteries, and there being no other nominations he was unanimously elected amidst applause, on the motion of Mr G. G. Jfyfe, seconded by the Rev. J. M. Fraser.

The Rev. Borrie moved the adoption of the home mission and church extension report (Otago and Southland section) as printed. He referred to the falling off in the congregational contributions, and said that he hoped it would not continue, for the south should help the north. So far as church extension was concerned, the south could not go much farther. The minister who shepherded his congregation, and limited the liberality to church extension work was making a. great mistake. — The report was adopted. . The Moderator presented the Church Extension report from the northern section of the church, as printed. The Rev. C. S. Ogg presented the financial ptatement in connection with the report, and stated that the balance to the credit of the fund was £186, and subventions to be paid in January of more than £200. It was resolved on the motion of the Rev. J. Kennedy Elliot, s econded by Mr G. S. Bridge— " That the church extension scheme be commended to the sympathisers of the church, with a recommendation that some systematic and organised plan be adopted in each congregation for the purpose of obtaining subscriptions to the fund." The Rev. E. O. Perry, travelling ogent employed by the Auckland Presbytery, gave an account of his work in that district. He said that in the country districts scepticism was almost dead, but the evils of tho drink traffic were appalling. There was po such thing as prohibition in the King Country. Drink could be had anywhere, and when the works were m full swing £2000 a month was spent in intoxicating drink. The Rev. Mr Dong-la?, Hokitika) advocated the employment of an agent by the United Church to look after the Church Extension Fund.

Dr Dunlop presented the report of the Suatentation Fund Committee for 1902. The total contributions for the year amounted to £14,127 9s 6d, as against £13,936 12s lid for the last year — being an increase of £190 16s 7d. The equal dividend for the year ending September 30, 1902, v.as £196 11s sd, being an increase over lust year of ?d. Attention was called to tho fact that the extremely slight increase on the yeai's dividend can hardly be takun as a safe indication that next year's dividend will not show a decrease. The committee is of opinion that a comparatively slight effort on tha part of the larger and wealthier congregations would place the fund in a batter and more healthy condition. The report was adopted, the de'ire being exprr- ' that the fund be more. v:gorou=lv pushed en. The Rev. James M'Kcrrow presented the Church Property Board report as printed, and said that since the report had been prepared another sum of £6003 had been withdrawn from the bank and investc-d at 4 peT cent, in debentures. The investments had been made under the advice of Mr Robert (rlendining, whose name was a safeguard of the safety of the investment. The report was adopted. The Rev W. J. Cony-ip presented the report on statistics ac printed. The report was adopted. The Assembly then adjourned. November 13.

At th's morning's meeting of thp General Assembly the Moderator anno.inced that the late Mrs Jesv« Tutchen had bequeathed a section of land in the City of Wellington, valued at £600, to the proposed theological college iv Dunedin Tho Rev. A. Cameron abo nraiounced that Mr James Adam, of Tokomairiro. was prepared to make a donation for a bur-'iiy of a farm of 114 acros on the Tokomairno plai 1 )?. The announcements were recived with applause.

Voluminous documents in connection with what is known as the Timaru case were read, consisting of :> dissent and appeal from the newly-formed Clialmers Church against the finding of the Timaru Presbytery in respect to tho proposed site for the- new church, aho a petition signed by 228 members and 141 adherents of Chalinei'% Church, asking permission to purchase a ceitain fitc fur the new church. Considerable discu-.-io.n endued as to the correct mode of dealing with this ca«e, and it was ultimately decided, on the motion of the Rev. J. Gibb and Dr Envin, that the appeal and the petition be heard sepaiately, the appeal to be taken fiist. The Timaru Presbytery appeared at tYc bar. Mr M'Bride and the Rev R Jack=on represented the appellants, and the Revs. Bruce Todd and Morr^on for the presbytery. Mr M'Bride, in stating the ease for the appellants, contended that the presbytery had mo right to define boundaries without giving the new congregation an oppor.tunit3- to select a suita'«e Mte. Tho presbytery, without consulting the oongregatm. fixed the settlement of boundaries of an arbitrary nature. In the present instance a few ignorant laymen like himself had to contend against tho majority of the ministers ol the Timaru Piesbytery Chalmers Church had now £1500 in hand, and tho Sundaycollections averaged £15. The Rev R. Jackson followed, and, with the aid of a map of Timaru, pointed out the desirabilUv of the proposed site for the nr>w church as tho town \va= not developing in the area outside the boundary. Foi the presbytery, the Rev. Bru?e Todd said that they had no desire to laijure Chalmers Church, but what the presbytery had done was in the interests of the whole Chinch. 1 hey weie not convinced of the need of a second charge in Timaru, although there might be room in the outskirts. It was no hard&hio to ask Chalmers congregation to plant the church in the direction in which the population was going. The presbytery felt that it should do nothing to injure the interests of Trinity Church. The Rev. A. S Morrison said that the boundary fixed was simply for the building area, and not as regarded the congregation. The presbytery were prepared to accept some modification of detail, but the proposed site was a modification of principle. Mr Allan, Go\ eminent Valuer, and a member of Trinity Church, had located 10 suitable bites on the boundary or thereabouts. The northern part of the town must eventually be the residential part. If the insistence on the boundary meant a little inconvenience for the present, in a few years Chalmers Church would be thankful for it. He hoped, whatever decision the assembly might come to, that they would express their displeasure at the mode of procedure adopted. He hoped the assembly support the presbytery to that extent. It had not been an honest method of procedure, and would form a very bad precedent indeed. By a vote of

the assembly, Mr Reed was heard on behalf of the petitioners. He said that the crux ' of the position was the signing of the conditions by the commissioners from Chalmers Church. At the presbytery meeting he had characterised these conditions as " absolutely iniquitous." He was -assured by the [ moderator that they were not to look upon thpse conditions as hard-and-fast, but that I gentleman had no doubt forgotten his statement, as otherwise his present attitude could not be reconciled with it. The Chalmers congregation were by the boundaries 'banished to a part of the town where existed slums and open sewere, which he as health officer had % condemned. His signature was only obtained to the conditions on the understanding that some amicable arrangement would be arrived at. They were not allowed to have a place of worship until they signed the conditions, and no one was justified in saying that it was a dishonest mode of procedure. In the fixing of the boundaries the only people consulted were the Trinity Church people. The Chalmers congregation of 4-00 had no say in the matter. The petitioners had all declined to attend Trinity Church, and they had only the option to form a new charge or sacrifice their church ; and, not wishing to do the latter, they were fighting for liberty. Mr J. M'Nab spoke on behalf 01 Trinity congregation, and said that it was not merely a question of the site of the church, but the breaking away of the conditions of accepting a congregation was also involved. Mr M 'Bride having replied, Mr G4bb moved— "That the assembly, while sympathising with the congregation of Chalmers Church in their de*ire to obtain the site deemed most suitable to their welfare, is nevertheless of opinion that the proximity of the two congregations will in the long run prove inimical to the prosperity of both, and therefore resolves to dismiss the appeal, and directs that the bite of Chalmers Church shall be not lc?s than half a mile distant from that oi Trinity." Thp . motion was -tecondod by the Rev. J. Chuholm. The Rev A. M. Finlavson moved and Mr J. \dam~ seconded— "That the assemWy sustain the appeal to reserve the judgment of the Presbyteiv of Timaru, and aPP>°™. site selected by Chalmers Church. Sixtyone voted for Mr G.bb's motion and 64- for Mr Finlavson' s. ami the latter was declared cariied The assembly then adjourned until the evening. EVENING SITTING. The assembly resumed at 7 o'clock. It was agreed to send a ieciprocatory telegram of greetings to the Baptist Conference at Auckland. „.!.„ Mr J M'Kerrow gave notice that he would move-" That Messrs Keith Ramsay (of Dimedin) and Allen Kaye (of Christchurch) be appointed church property trustees iJ The Rev. S. J. Currie presentpd the report on the state of ldigion. The report concluded with the following recommendations : —(1) That our minipters be directed to preach on the cubject of the Christian observance of the Lorll's Day during the year. (2) That the present assembly take the nccep=ary steps to release one or more < of our ministers with well-known evangelistic gifts for, gay, six months of next year for evangelistic work, especially in connection with our smaller congregations. (3) That the assembly commend to our different ! congregations the pervices of such tried evangelists as Sisters Miriam and Winnie, 1 and Messrs Catherwood. Lyall, and Stephens. Mr Currie moved — "That the-aesembly express satisfaction that in so many instances the attendance at public worship is considered satisfactory : that in many of the parishes of the church a good work of grace had been carried on during the year; that more especially God's rich bles6ihg had followed the labours of Mr Lyall, Mr Alexander, and Dr Torrey ; and that the Day of Rest is fairly well observed by the va»t majority of the members of the church; that regret be expressed that the ordinary Sabbath service? are not more highly prized, and that especially in our cities the tendency j to make the Lord's Day a day of pleasure I is growing; that the holding of conferences ( for the deepening of the religious life in connection with the different presbyteries be recommended ; that recommendations 1 j and 3 be adopted, and leave recommendation No. 2 to be considered when the overture from the Hawke's Bay Presbytery in | the setting apart of some of our ministers to e\angpli?tic work is before the a«semblv. The motion was seconded by the* Ro\ . J. .7amic«on, who gave a glowing account of the recent e\angeli-stie effort in Otago. A | lengthy di=ru*.sion followed, in which emphasis was laid by several speakers on tho [ importance of adopting spefial methods to bring about conversions. The report was adopted.*

The Rev. J. A. Ariier brought the overture from Hawke's Bay Presbytery reeommpndmg arrangements being made for evan-gph-.tic set vices being held throughout the Hinrch. and especially in the "mailer centres. Tin* \\a« supported by the Rev. Alex. Why to. The Rev. W. Hewitson pre-ented a petition from 400 .voting men of the Presbyterian Bible classes in Wellington Chuich and Duneclin, and =aicl that this petition was '•ufficient indication that the assembly should ino\o in the direction of the overture The Rhv. J. Gibb jno\ed that the overture bo adopted, the p rayer of the petition granted, and that a committee be appointed to repot t to the assembly relating to the duties mul salary of an evangelist and secretary for tho Young Men's Bible Class, also to recommend some one for the dual position. Ho said that a sum of £300 would be nece^nry, but that afternoon nart of it had be-en puarautecd and the balance would be fortlionnino- The motion was seconded and tamed amul-t applause.

The Rev. R. M. Ryburn propented the report of th« To mpprauce Committee The report stated that drunkenness wa- unfortunately not diminishing in the colony. The committee had endeavoured by < iroular to ascertain the mind of the chuich upon the matter of municipal or .State control About 70 answers were received, of which the grf»at mniorilv were full and interesting. Of the replies fully two-thirds wore of opinion that no real and lasting ad\antage would remit from municipal or State control. One-half of the remainder were doubtful, and the other half expressed the belief that certain good results would follow. Mr Ryburn said the church had pronounced strongly against State or municipal control of the liquor traffic. He moved the adoption of the report, and /that the assembly express gratitude to God for the progress of total abstinence and for the eood results of nolicense in the Clutha district ; and affirm that vrhile disclaiming all desire or intention to coerce the judgment of others, this assembly believes that in view of all the circumstance* it is the duty of Christian citizens to adopt the " no-license" platform at the a.oproaohina licensing poll, and feel

bound to exhort the members and adherents of the church to vote accordingly; direct the observance of the fourth Sabbath of this present month as a temperance Sabbath, and commend again the work of temperance to the prayers of the people. The Rev. J. Gibson Smith seconded the motion. He held that the assembly was in a position to take the lead in this matter, and they were entitled to treat the whole liquor traffio as if it were a poisonous thing. They had to vote either for license or nolicense, for reduction was a mere tinkering with the matter. From his standpoint nolicenso was not the ideal way of dealing with the difficulty. It was a somewhat drastio measure, but there was no other practical proposition before the people, and he was prepared to face the difficulty. The Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland deprecated belittling the importance of reduction. The Rev. S. W. Currie and Mr Sandilands gave glowing accounts of the benefits accruing to Clutha under no-license. The motion was carrie-! amidst great enthusiasm, and the assemlx, adjourned. - November 14. The Timaru case came up again at &• meeting of the Presbyterian Assembly this morning. The Rev. Mr Gillies's protest against the ruling of the Moderator as an act of injustice and tyranny appeared in the minutes. This was objected to on the ground that the language was not respectful to the Moderator. After discussion, it was decided that the protest be deleted from the minutes, and a committee be set up to inquire into the reason of Mr Gillics's protest. Several delegates complained that the Railway Department and the Union Steam Ship Company would not grant the same concessions to delegates attending the assembly as they allowed to school teachers, and al=o on the occasion of races and shows. A committee was appointed to inquiie into the matter.

Mr J. G. W. Aitken presented the twentieth century report, which showed that the total sum now promised amounted to £5546 since the fund was started, and, inclusive of this fund, the old Northern Church had raised for property over £45,000. A balance of subscriptions promised of £2000 etill remained unpaid. The largest amount contributed by any one congregation was £1814 9s 6d, from St. John's, Wellington. The report, was adopted, the thanks of tho a^«ombl»- were conveyed to the Rev. W. Oil!ie=> for his great service rendered in the raiding of this fund, and the Wanganui Presbytery was requested to hand over the money in their hands for church sites and buildings to this committee. Several delegates eulogised the work of Mr Gillies in connection with the fund.

Mr Aitken also presented a report on the administration of the Twentieth _ CenturyFund, showing that grants of £5315 had been made at 2 per cent., and sites to the amount of £362 had been purchased. The report was adopted, and a special vote of thanki passed to Mr Aitken. The question of the administration of the Jubilee Fund of the southern section of the Church was brought up by the Rev. A. Cameron, who advocated that the fund be placed in the hands of the Otago Church propcrtv trustees for investment according to the regulations of the Otago Synod. The Rev. J. Gibb urged the appointment of a local committee to administer the fund, as there had been some dis-satisfaction in the past. The Rev. W. Scorgie supported Mr Gibb's proposal, and said that at Morningtpn when undertaking church and manse improvements they had been encouraged to hope they would get money from this fund, but when it came to the fund they could not get the money, and hnd to go in the open money market. The Rev. D. Borrie said that the Mornington ca-o was outside the synod's regulations. Eventually the matter was referred to a committee, to confer with Mr J. M'Kcrrow, chairman of the Church Property Trustees. Mr Andrew Bell brought forward a scheme for the insurance of church property, which provided that parties in the church be asked to become guarantees for the sum of £10,000, tl<e premium'; to be paid to be at current rate.-, until the fund had reached at least £5000, when the premiums fchall be proportionately reduced". Whfn the fund ha? reached' the sum of £10,000 the interest accruing thereupon to he devoted to the assisting of sfudente preparing for the ministry. Mr Bell argued that £1269— the amount of the premiums annually paid on church property — could be retained by the assembly having its own fire insurance scheme. Two hundred and fifty guarantees of £50 each could be secured, and the scheme be c et in operation. In seven or right year-.* timo they would be able to hand over £400 a year to the church funds. Mr A. C. Bogg said that he did not like a scheme which promised too much, and still less did he like a scheme which had to depend on guarantees. Fire insurance was a speculative business, and if they had a run of bad luck they would feel the need of having a sum of money invested from which to pay their losses. Any scheme depending on guarantors could not be taken up with safety. After discussion, it was decided, seeing that as the union had been formed pince the c cheme was formulated, to send the matter down to the presbyteries for consideration Thr> :ie-einbly then adjourned until the evening. EVENING SITTING. The aPiPmbly resumed in the evening, when the Rev. Andrew Cameron pretexted the report of the Theological Committee. Mr Cameron said that the assembly might congratulate itself on the success of the Theological College last year. While other c-hurchoa wore complaining that young men were not offering for the ministry, his experience was that the number of young men desiring to enter the Presbyterian Church

was increasing. This year the largest num> her ever known were in training, and ho knew of at least 22 going through a university course with the idea of entering thel Presbyterian ministry, 20 of whom were in the south and two in the north, this indicating that young men are willing to come forward. The report was adopted, and the fo&i lowing recommendations' were aereed to:—* (1) That as Mr Mawson is studying with it view to mission work in Olago, the assembly ullow him to take Greek exegesis and 6JTB« tematic theology for his exit examination, and that instead of Hebrew and church history he should study Chinese under Mr Don, and pass an examination in that subject to his satisfaction. (2) The committee, being now possessed of three boot prizes, they be awarded as follows: (1) Th« Hebrew book prize, annual value £2, to tha student receiving the highest marks on th« work of the junior Hebrew class, as determined by the professor; (2) the Stuart book prize, value £5, to be awarded on the work of the second year in the church history class, together with a epecial examination on some book bearing on the work of theyear, and selected by the professors. Thet Ebenezer book prize, annual value £10. That this prize be awarded to the best student of the third year, as determined by the class examinations of that year, and tha exit examination. In all cases the book 3 must be standard theological or religious literature, and approved of by the professors. This was carried with the addition moved by the Revs. Hewitson and Gibb:' that the first prize be called the Cameron! Hebrew book prize. (5) That the following be the regulations for the training of the students: — (1) That each student shall give in a written fortnightly to each professor, and* that one hour at least be given by each professor to criticism on theser exercises and kind of work. (2) Kind of work (a) that each student be required to hand in two fully written sermons and ona lecture eaoh session ; (b) that each 9tudenfc write weekly a sermon or lecture, outline such sermon, outlines to deal with the texta exegetically and topically alternately, the subjects of the sermons and lectures to rise mainly out of the work done in the classes during tho session ; (c) that special instruction be given to tlve student as to the eon.-> duct of the devotional part of publio worship, special attention to bo given to tho public prayers.

It was resolved on tha motion of the Revs. A. Cameron and D. Borrie — " That the assembly is of opinion that it is desirable for the fuller equipment of the Theolo* gical Hall that T>r Watt be i-eleased from the pastoral charge of Green Island, and set apart to the work of the professorship, and instruct the Theological Committee to ask the synod to vote an adequate' salary to Dr Watt as professor." The last recommendation was in respect of the proposed Presbyterian College in Dunedin. In reference to this college, Mr Cameron said thafe he had long felt that a residential college would be a great boon to the students and to the Church. When at Opoho some while back he saw a site which, if it had been made for the purpose of the college, could 1 not have been more suitable. It was a beautiful 10-acre paddock, one-half of it; level and the other on a beautiful hill. It belonged to the Otago Synod. It was an; ideal site, adjacent to the University, andf altogether suitable for the college. Ho next came across" a' gentleman interested in the students and in Church work. This gentleman altogether surprised him ona morning when he said that he was agreeable to give the splendid donation oE £10,000. That was onough to inspire anyone with a desire to see erected a college worthy of the Presbytorian Church of New Zealand, and he was quite sure they were in the way of .having established an institution that would serve the Church in a way they could hardly conceive. Thera wire three things necessary in a minister:, First, that he should be a Christian ; second, a cultured man ; and third, a gentleman. And all this conld be brought about in a, residential .college. Those training for tho ministry should be brought into touch with, ih© lawyers, doctors, and mining engineers of the future, and in £he residential college they could all dwell "under tho one roof. In this way friendships would be formed which would be a strength to tjje Church. Sometimes students came from places ia the country, whore they had not seen much) of the {rentier modes of life. They were a little bit rough, but thai was not their fault. Unfortunately sometimes thoy continued rough after they had been ordained". Many a. man might make a mistake in nnnnois, which would ruin his influence. Besides, young men were exposed to dangers which might prove.. their ruin, but by the establishment of. the college they would! be placed in a. .home, and in an intellectual home, whfice fcheir intellect would be guided as well .as -their heart, and where thoy would feel- -the -refining influences that would make them gentlemen. — The Rev. J« Gibb, in glowing terms, eulogised the services rendered to the Ghurch by the Rev. A. Cameron, and moved- the following resolution:—" That the assembly desires to record its appreciation of the services rendered to the cause of theological study by the convenor of the committee, the RevAndrew Cameron. His manifold efforts to promote the interest* of the Theological' Hall by securing an adequate supply of: scholarships for deserving men, and to create a. fund for building a residential college for the students of the Church are deserving of the highest praise. To the donors of the scholarships, and especially to the gentleman who has donated the magnificent sum of £10,000 towards the erection of the college the assembly tenders ita warmest thanks. Of all that ha» been done, and is under contemplation, Mr Cameron is the mainspring, and the assembly expresses its confident expectation that, aided

bythe generosity of the people, his efforts Will presently result in the institution of Huch a number of scholarships as will be edequate to our needs, and in th» erection of a structure which will be worthy of the denomination and of the great cause to which it will be dedicated — the education of 4he future ministers of the Church. The assembly asks the synod of Otago and Southland, in conjunction with the Assembly Committee, to secure the site in question, and forthwith to take all needful steps towards enlisting the sympathies of the people of tlie Church in this great undertaking, and so to obtain the funds needful for its completion. In the event of these being forthcoming, the assembly empowers the bommittee to proceed with the work." The resolution was carried amidst applause.

■The Scholarship Committee's report was presented by Dt Sidey and adopted. The Publication Committee's report was presented by Mr W. H. Adams. The Rev. J. Gibb, in moving the adoption of the report feelingly referred to the services 3&ndered to the Outlook by Dr Waddell, to the cheerful alacrity and enthusiasm with which he had edited the paper for so many years past, and asked the Assembly to express its deep sympathy with him in his severe illness. It was resolved to receive the report, thank Dr Waddell for the splendid cervices rendered by him as editor from the inception of the Outlook until his breakdown, express deep sympathy with him in his illness and the fervent hope that he jnay be soon restored to perfect health ; thank Mr William Hutchison and especially Mr A. H. Grinling for the valuable work they have done for the paper; express gratification that the circulation has been so well maintained, and anew commend the Outlook to the people of the Church, and instruct ministers and officebearers to take active steps to promote its circulation, and resolve that the balance of the Chaplaincy Fund (£192) be handed to the general treasurer and earmarked for the editor's salary; that the salary of the editor be £100; that Mt A. H. Grinling be appointed editor for three months at this salary; that the committee be empowered to appoint a permanent editor of the Outlook.

The Assembly then adjourned until 10 o'clock on Saturday morning.

Noember 15. The assembly resumed at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning. Mr A. C. Begg reported that the committee appointed to reply to the Rev. W. Gillies's protest had found as follows: — "'Mr Gilhes's protest states that the refusal of the moderator to allow him to speak in connection with, the petition of Chalmere congregation is an act of injustice and tryanny. The moderator did not take the responsibility of refusing to allow Mr Gillies to speak, but referred the question to the decision of the assembly, and the assembly by its votes decided that under the circumstances it was unnecessary to hear Mr Gillies." The finding was adopted. The Moderator expressed his regret that Mr Gillies should have taken the matter so much to heart and feel so aggrieved about it. He had given his ruling on public grounds. Knowing the case- was coming on. he had looked up the order of procedure, and found that in a case of appeal tv.o men could be heard on each side. The petition was interjected, and it was agreed that one speaker from each congregation should foe heard. He thought it would have been •wrong to throw the matter open for discussion, and if Mr Gillies had been heard others would have claimed the right. Thinking that his ruling might be wrong, he appealed to the assembly, who sustained his Tuling. He was sorry that it had hurt and wounded Mr Gillies, but. as an old member of the assembly, he ought to have known the mode of procedure.

On the motion of the Rev. A. Cameron, the following committee was set up to deal with the erection of the Theological College in Dunedin. with power to add to their number:— The Revs. W. HewitFon, J. Gibb, D. Borrie, W. Scorgie, and A. Cameron, Drs Dunlop and Watt* and Messrs A. C Begg, R. Glendining, E. B. Cargill, J Reid, R. Blair, J. Roberts, and K. Ramsay.

The Rev. W. Hewitson presented the report of the committee on the supply of vacancies, and moved that the scheme be remitted to presbyteries for consideration, and that presbyteries report to the committee prior to July 1, 1903, and that the committee be instructed to perfect the scheme and report to next assembly. Mr Hewitson said that it was very desirable that the law in respect to filling up vacancies be made plain. It was important that in the appointment of ministers there should be no impediment to the free expression of the will of the congregation. The scheme also aimed at minimising and, if possible, the doing away altogether, with candidating, ■which was a most objectionable and frequently a mischievous system. A man who could carry a popular audience was often. the man of w.horn that audience was tired within 12 months. The motion was adopted. The Rev. D. Borrie presented the report of the committee on the home mission scheme, which was received and considered clause by clause. In clause 1— " The appointment of home missionaries " — Mt Borne eaid that at the present time the appointments of home missionaries were made in haphazard fashion, the whole responsibility resting upon the conveners of the Church Extension Committee. The appointment of home missionaries was almost as important as the appointment of ministers. The clause provoked considerable discussion, and eventually it was decided to adopt the clause, amended to read a 9 follows: — (1) That in future the acceptance of agents for home mission work shell be by the assembly," etc. In discussing clause 2, Mr Borrie said that the scheme was forced on them by the fact that the Church at present made no urovision for the training of their home missionaries. They took young men from their employment, accepted them as- homo missionaries, and gave them no opportunity for improvement. Tlie Rev. W. J. Comrie objected that the 6cheme needed recasting to allow of the employment of two classes of agents and thus make room for men who were not prepared to face the training and examinations proposed. This provoked a cood deal of discussion. The Rev. W. Hewitson proposed and the Rev. A. Cameron F'econded that the clause should be amended to read "That all agents accepted under this scheme shall, unless exempted by the Church Extension Committee, enter upon a three years' course of training," etc. The clause as amended was adopted. Clause 3, dealing with the employment of missionaries, was agreed to. Clause 4, dealing with the ordination and powers given to home missionaries, was under discussion when the issemtily adjourned, to meet again at 10 . /clock on Monday morning.

In the afternoon the visiting delegates were entertained at Day's Bay, when, despite the rather rough weather, a pleasant outing was experienced. In the evening St. John's Church was crowded, when Mr Maughan Barnett gave an organ recital and a united choir rendered a selection of anthems. Special services were conducted by vieiting ministers in the Presbyterian churches throughout the city and suburbs on Sunday. The Rev. J. Gibb preached morning and evening, and the Rev. J. Chisholm addressed the young people in the afternoon. After the church service a great nolicense meeting was held in the Opera House, presided over by Mr A. C. Begg, when the Revs. H. Blair, S. W. Currie, R. Fairmaid, and J. C. Jamieson gave their experience of the effect of no-license in the Clutha. November 17. The Presbyterian General Assembly resumed at 10 o'clock this morning. It was resolved that Mr Keith Ramsay and Mr A. Kaye be appointed church property trustees. The report of the Records Committee was adopted.

A report cci the application for admission to the ministry was Ijresented. Hawke's Bay Presbytery was granted permission to license Mr R. Gardner and Wellington Presbytery to license Mr J. M'Caw. Mr J. G. Chappie was recommended for license on the completion of his three years' course. The Rev. J. Wilson was received as a probationer, and the Rev. James Pattison as a minister without probation. The motion that Mr R. H. Cathcrwood be accepted for license provoked some discussion, the Revs. S. W. Currie and R. H. Btoir urging that as Mr Catherwood had not passed the customary examinations be be accepted as an evangelist without license. The Rev. A. Cameron explained that illhealth was the reason of Mr Catherwood not passing his {'xaminations, and that he was fully competent for the work of the ministry. Ihe Rev. J. G. Smith moved that, in place of giving Mr Catherwood full license, the Assembly should ask the Examination Board to prescribe him a special course on the understanding that he be licensed next year. Dr Dunlop said that he always felt that no church should be bound by hard-and-fast rules. Exceptional circumstances and an exceptional case demanded exceptional treatment. This was a case in piont. Mr Cathcrwood was very sensitive, and if the assembly accepted Mr Gibson Smith's motion he did not know what the result would be. Mr Catherwood had been much blessed in his ministry. Why should Ihe Assembly adopt a dog-in-the-manger policy? After further discussion, the motion that Mr Catherwood be licensed was carried by a large majority. The Rev. Peter Wilson, from the Presbyterian Church of Western Australia, and the Rev. G. Mann Mac Donald, from Victoria, were admitted as ministers of the Church. It was resolved that the Rev. John Macarthy, from Canada, and the Rev. A. Laishley, from the Congregational Church, England, be admitted as ministers after a year's probation. The Rev. C. O. Perry was granted a seat in the Auckland Presbytery, and it was resolved that Mr J. L. Patullo, after passing a year's prescribed course, be recommended to the Presbytery for license.

The adjourned discussion on the report of the committee of the home mission scheme was resumed. Clause 4 was amended to read: "Home missionaries, when so appointed by the Assembly, shall receive ordination as elders by the presbyteries under which they are labouring, and shall be empowered to perform marriages. A home missionary may be empowered by the presbytery within whose bounds he labours to baptise and to dispense the Lord's Supper." Clause 5, dealing with the retirement of home missionaries, and clause 6, allowing, under certain conditions, home missionaries to be taken on trial for license and become probationers, were adopted with some slight alterations. The report as amended was then adopted.

It was resolved that the Church Extension Committee of the southern section of

the Church be empowered to pay Mr William Stewart, late home missionary at Saddle Hill, Brighton, and Kuru Bush, an allowance of £40 per annum.

The Rev. D J. Murray (president of the Wesleyan Conference), the Revs W. O. Oliver and B. L. Thomas, attended as a deputation

from the Ministers'

Association, bearing to

the Assembly felicitations from the association. All the speakers referred hopefully to the prospects of union between the churche* Tlie Rev Hugh Kelly, who moved a vote of thanks to the deputation, made the point that the Presbyterians did not believe that any one church had a monopoly of the truth, though they naturally thought that the Presbyterian Church had a good share of it. In the spirit that all the members of the churches were brethren in Christ he heartily moved —"That this Assembly cordially thanks the deputation from the Wellington Ministers' Association for their presence and fraternal greetings, rejoices in tho growing spirit of unity to which they have given expression, and joins with them in their prayer for God's rich blessing upon all the Churches of Christ."

The Rev James Gibb, who seconded the motion, expressed his belief that not to-day or to-morrow, yet surely after a good many morrows, union of the churches was sure to be accomplished. The speaker remarked that just at present the ideas of union held by some sects seemed to be on the lines of the ■union that was accomplished between Jonah and the whale. EVENING SEDERUXT. The Rev. J. Chieholm brought up a memorial minute relathe to the late Rev. Dr Copland, the Rev. A. Bett, the Rev. James Kirkland, and the Rev. Thomas^ Smaill to perpetuate the memory of these pioneer ministers, and expressing sympathy with the berea\ed relatives. The minute, which will be found in anothei column, was adopted. The Rev. Mr Gordon presented the Maori Mission report. This report stated that permission was obtained to select a sit© and build a house for the second missionary at Taumaruni, and the contract has been let for the building of the house for £253, to be finished in December. A paper printed on the desirability of establishing a boarding school for Maori girls has been reprinted at small cost and circulated amongst the congregations and Christian Endeavour Societies in the colony. If money was forthcoming, it would give the mission a good start. Many districts still exist where the Maoris have as yet no mission, and the urgency of establishing missions in euch districts is referred to. Mr Gordon moved the following resolu-

tion — " Adopt the report, thank God for I the liberality manifested, authorise the comX Wttrr to appoint a third missionary ac soon

as funds allow, and commend the establishment of a girls' boarding school to the liberality of those interested in the elevation of the Maoris ; also, to empower Mr Ward to perform the ceremony of marriage and dispense the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper aa he has done in Huntley."— The Rev. F. S. Osborne, in seconding the motion, emphasised Ihe necessity of the third missionary being a medical missionary. He said there was little use in elevating the young men unless something uas done for the girls, hence the need for the proposed boarding school. — Mr Sidey objected that the limited funds available did not warrant the extensions proposed, and moved as an amendment — "That the appointment of the third missionary be deferred until next assembly." — The amendment was accepted as part of the motion, and adopted. Mr G. A. Troup presented the report on the appointment of an evangelist, and moved—" That the Rev. J. C. Jamieeon, of Middlemarch, be appointed evangelist and travelling secrotaiy to the Young Men's Bible Class Union at a salaiy of £300 a year." Mr Troup said thnt for one young man vho joined the Church there were thiee young women, and only one young man out of every ton who might bo expected to join the Church did so. It was therefore of the highest importance to make special efforts in the interests of the young men. — Tiie Rev J. Gill said that the appointment was for an evangelist especially for the young people. Mr Jamieson was simply a first-rate man for the position. The salary for the first year had already been guaramteed, the Mayor of Wellington standing sponsor for £220, but he hoped to relieve the Mayor of a large part of that responsibility before he left Wellington.— The motion wa« agreed to. — Tho Rev. J.C. Jamieson signified his acceptance of the appointment, and said he thought the present an exceptit mal opportunity of winning young men for Christ. The Rev. W. Hewitson presented the report of the Foreign Mission Committee, and moved the following resolution, which was seconded by the Rev. A. Cameron— " That the repoTt be adopted; that we express our gratitude to God for the earnest, patient, and self-denying work of ovir missionaries •, that we humbly submit ourselves in -the death of Mr Smaill to the sceptre of Him about whose throne there are clouds and darkness; appoint a committee to draw up a minute expressing our appreciation of the work of Mr and Mrs Smaill on Epi ; commend Mrs Smaill and her little child to the Father of the fatherless, and ask Mrs Smaill to accept £130 as a small token of the sympathy of the Church with her in her sorrow ; express our deep sympathy with Mr M'Naughton, nowly appointed as assistant in Ambrim, on the death of his wife ; express sympathy with MiLamb in his continued ill-health; instruct the committee to call for a fully qualified man as 6uccessor to Mr Smaill; in view of the number of applications from young women members of our own Church for service in the foreign mission field, empower the committee to appoint one lady missionary and become responsible for her entire support, or to appoint two lady missionaries on terms similar to thos" in whio> Miss Henderson and Mies MacGregor are engaged — viz., half the salary provided by the home churches, the other half by ourselves ; accept Mr W. Mawson a3 a missionary for the Canton villages, and instruct the Synod of Otago to license and ordain him at the next meeting ; remit the determination of Mr W. Chan's sphere of labour to the committee: express gratification that Presbyterian Women Missionaries Unions are being formed at Auckland, Wellington, and commend such unions to the fostering care of the presbyteries and sessions; agree to the re*quest of the committee to the appointment of two additional members in Dunedin, and one in Christchurch."

An address was delivered by Miss; Henderson on the mission work among women in Madras, India.

The Rev. W. Hewitson, in introducing Mr W. Mawson, said that ho was a very honoured student of the Otago University, where he had done good work in the Theological Hall. Mr Mawson, in the course of a brief address, paid that the claims of China had forced themselves upon him, and he dared not resist them. There were a number of villages in which no missionary, eveept Mr M. Neur, had ever gained an entry, and the key to those villages was in the hands of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.

The Rev. A. Don briefly referred to the Canton Villages Mission. The Rev. D. Borrie said that he would donate the £50 balance of a cheque placed in his hand? some time ago for mission purnoses. £25 to e;o to Mi«s Henderson's Madras Miss-on and £25 to Mr Fletcher's Maori Mission

The motion was cariied, and the assembly adjourned.

Xn\ ember 18. The Assembly resumed at 10 o'clock this morn'nsr.

The Rev. A. M Finlayson nrrernt*»<l the report of the Committee on the Aged and

Infirm Ministers and the Widows and Orphans' Fund, Otago. The report was adopted, the committee being empowered to deal with an application from the Rev. J. M. Davidson. The recommendation that the Rev. W. Gillies receive back all he has paid into the fund without interest was agroed to. The Rev. A. Bruce Todd presented similar reports from the northern section. The Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund showed a balance of £505 10s 4d. which is to be added to the capital, now standing at £5013 3s. The report was adopted, and ministers were urged to connect themselves with the fund and congregations to contribute thereto. Some discussion ensued upon an application from a minister to be allowed to purchase an annuity for a fixed sum. It was resolved to decline the application. It was agreed that for the purpose of the Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund Maori missionaries in full standing should be placed on the same footing as ministers.

The report of the Committee of the Widow 9 and Orphans' Fund (northern section), showing a balance on the year's work of £542 (the total capital now standing at £7278 18s 8d), wai adopted.

The Rev. A. M. Finlayson presented the report of the Joint Committee on the Aged adn Infirm Ministers and Widows and Orphans' Fund, with respect to the amalgamation of the funds, and it was resolved — " That in future all ministers entering on charges in this church shall join the Aged and Infirm Ministers and Widows and Orphans' Fund, and that this be provided for in the regulations ; further, that the Assembly direct the committees to employ an actuary to investigate the state of the funds and instruct all ministers of the church to supply such information as may be asked for with a view to such investigations.

The Rev. J. Gibb presented the report of the Committee on Formula and Book of Order, which was received and discussed seriatim. On the questions at the ordination of a minister, Dr Sidey moved that the following clause from the Northern Book of Order be inserted: — "Do you acknowledge that your right to remain a minister of this congregation depends upon the ends of a Gospel ministry being fulfilled therein, and do you admit the right of the presbytery to dissolve the pastoral tie at any time on being satisfied that the ends of the ministry are not being served? " The Rev. J. Gibson Smith moved a.s an amendment that the clause be attached to the formula of subscription. On a show of hands the motion was declared carried. It was also decided that a similar clause should apply to the ordination or induction of professors, missionaries, elders, and deacons. It was resolved that these recommendations and suggestions be sent down to the presbyteries to report to the committee before next Assembly, the Committee on Formula and Book or Order to be reappointed to complete the work. The assembly then adjourned until the evening. EVENING SEDERUNT. The assembly resumed at 7 o'clock. The grants recommended by the Church Extension Committee were passed. Mr Sidey presented the report of the Examination Board, which was adopted, the 'work in the future to be placed under one committee centred in Dunedin. It was decided that the regulations for scholarships and students and the course of study for students be remitted to a committee, to report to next assembly. The report on Sabbath school statistics was presented by the Rev. James A. Will, and the report of the Sabbath School-? Committee was presented by the Rev. Hugh Kelly. Mr Kelly moved the following resolution: — " Adopt the report, with thanks to the committee, and especially to the conveners; approve of the recommendation as to dates and subjects ; express satisfaction at the large numbers who came forward for examination ; place anew on record our profound gratification that so many devoted men and women are consecrating their powers to the work ; and commend our Sabbath schools to the grace of God and the earnest support of all our congregations." The Rev. W. Scorgie submitted a report from the Presbytery of Dunedin suggesting a new scheme of examination, involving a continuation of the examinations of the Sabbabli Schools Committee and the Otago Sunday School Union, and moved — " That this scheme should take the place of the present scheme of examination: and if the assembly cannot accept the motio'i, that the Dunedin schools be left to take the examination of the Sabbath School Union of Dunedin." The Rev. A. Don eeconded the motion. The Rev. W. Gray Dixon said he had no objection to Dunedin making its own arrangements, but he would object to the Otago Sunday School Union pclieme superseding the Presbyterian Church scheme. The Jg.ev. J. Gibson Smith protested against any attempt at insisting upon a mechanical uniformity in Sabbath School examinations. After considerable discussion the- amendments were withdrawn and the motion was adopted, tlie matters in depute being rpmitted to a committee, to report to next assembly. The Rev. J. White presented the report of ' : the Committee on Sabbath School Teachers' Examinations, and moved — " Thr.t, in consequence of the lack of interest in the examinations and the reluctance of the teachers to enter, the examinations be allowed to lapse and the committee be dismissed." Mr .7. G. W. Aitken said he was surprised at such a motion, and he moved — " That the report be icceived and the recommendations be adopted." Mr Aitken's motion was carried unanimously, and the assembly adjourned until next morning at 9 o'clock.

j November 19. The assembly resumed this morning at 9.30

The Rev. J. Gibb called attention to the death of the Rev. Hugh Prite Hughr-p, and he was instructed to draw up a minute of sympathy. I The Rev. W. J. Comrie brought up the reports on assembly expense B and Standing Committees, which were adopted. It was resolved, on the motoin of Mr W. H. Adams, seconded by Mr G. Reid, that a bonus of £25 be paid to the clerk (Dr Sidey) in consequence of the extra work entailed on him last, year as the outcome of the union.

The Rev. W. J. Comrie, in answer to inquiries, made the following financial statement of assembly expenses: — Income: Balance in hand, £458 13s 4d ; 3J, ppr cent, en revenue, £200 : congregational assessment. £721 15s; total. £1380 8s 4d. Estimated expenditure, £956, leaving a balance in hand of £474 8a 4d. Overtures were received from the Presbyteries of Wanganui and Nelson asking for a change in the date of the assembly, and it was moved that the date be changed to th* fourth Tuesday in October. The motion

was defeated by an overwhelming majority-.

The overture from the Presbytery of Taranaki suggesting the setting up, from year to year, of an executive or governing body (such executive to have only administrative powers, the assembly to define its functions), the executive to consist of ther moderator and clerk of assembly, the moderator and clerk of the Synod of Otago and Southland,- and four elders to be chosen annually by the assembly, was received. Tho Rev. S. S. Osborne said that in the overture it was stated that the Presbyterian Church was the strongest Protestant Churcti in the colony. Although the cansus returns did not show this, yet the Anglican Church had only 23,000 communicants in the colony as against 28,000 in the Presbyterian Church, which, therefore, ought to make its voice felt in certain political and social contingencies at the present time. The moderator alone could take such action, and this overture was with a view to strengthening his hands. It was decided to adopt the overtxire, and send it down to the presbyteries, to be reported on at next assembly. The following report on orphanages, prepared by the Rev. W. Gillies, was presented and adopted.

On the motion of the Rev. J. Gibb, the assembly placed on record its deep sense of the loss sustained by the Methodist Church and by the Churches of Christ of every name in the unlooked-for death of the Rev. Hugh Price Hughes ; and also that the assembly, having heard of the serious illhess of the Rev. Dr Joseph Parser, unites its prayers with those of the whole Church of God that he be granted a speedy recovery, and be spared for years to come.

It was resolved that in future voting members of the assembly shall be required to give reasons when asking for leave of absence, and travelling expenses shall be paid to those only who attend for a full week, unless by direction of the assembly.

The deliberations concluded with the usual votes of thanks.

The Moderator said that he had not prepared a closing address. The delegates were by this time a little weary, and he had noticed that in past assemblies the moderator's closing address was listened to with a certain amount of impatience. He would, however, like to say that he had enjoyed the assembly very much, and had found .the meeting with his brethren both refreshing and stimulating. It had been a -very happy and successful gathering — the largest church assembly he had ever attended in New Zealand, nnd it reminded him of the assemblies in the Home Land. The business had been, conducted with much intelligence and efficiency, and the assembly had done great credit to itself in the spirit of brotherlinesa displayed, which augured well for the future of the United Church. If the second united assembly had not been the occasion of such great enthusiasm as the first, there had been a settling down to consider the practical needs of the Church in a way which must be pleasing to all. There had been no friction between the two sections, no indication of who wns from the north and who from the south. They had fel6 throughout that they were one. This had been a feature of the assembly. He prayed that God's blessing might go with the departing delegates, and that all might be spared to meet again next year. It was announced that the next assembly would meet in Dunedin in First Church on the second Tuesday in November, 1903.