PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2950, 23 November 1900, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

A STORMY SCENE

United Press Association—Per Eler.ric

Telegraph—Copyright. Received 9.22 a.m., November 22nd. MELBOURNE, November 22.

A stormy scene took place in the Presbyterian General Assembly when the report of the Public Questions Committee came up. It recommended an address to Duke and Duchess of York. Professor Rentoul, of Peace and Humanity Society fame, is the convener of the committee. In a speech bristling with loyalty he pointed out that the responsibility of drafting the address rested with him. The Rev. Dr Marshall moved for a special committee in order to prevent the responsibility resting on one man, and especially Professor Rentoul, who in his remarks on the Boer war, was hopelessly out of sympathy with the Church and grossly misrepresented it. A man who had spoken about the National Anthem as Professor Rentoul had done, made it look as if the Church was making a profession of loyalty with her tongue in her cheek. To accept Professor Rentoul’s proposals would do a gross and serious in jury to the Church. Professor Rentoul replied that the present was the most extraordinary state of things he had ever known in the Presbyterian Church. He felt ashamed of being a Presbyterian. All the trouble arose ovei J a wholly unnecessary attack flung at him rashly, rudely, and ignorantly. Dr Marshall had done more harm to the Church on Mafeking Day, when if reports could be believed, all that could be seen of him was a big red fist in the, midst of a mass of half-drunken people. Cries of “Shame, shame,” hisses, confusion, and great disorder. Eventually Dr Marshall’s amendment was lost by 4 votes. Dr Marshall then announced that he had no alternative but to resign all connection with the administration of the Assembly.