PRESBYTERIANISM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 80, 16 November 1911, Page 5

PRESBYTERIANISM.

CHURCH CONDEMNED AS “TOO ' RESPECTABLE.” THE IMPUTATION DENIED. (Per Press Association.) Dunedin, November 15. The Rev. Erwin (Otagp Peninsula) raised a storm of indignation in tho assembly this morning with an indictment of the church. He said the Presbyterian Church was suffering from cue curse of respectability, and could never hope to bring Labour into (die church while it cost so much to bo a member. Ho instanced St. John’s, \Vollington, St. Andrew’s, Christchurch, and Knox Church, Dunedin, as churches to which a poor man could not afford to belong. Dr, Gibb indignantly repudiated the statement, supported by Elder J.. G. \V. Aitken (ex-Mayor of Ho said they had bricklayers, bootmakers, and compositors in their session as well as in the congregation. • “!Phe Rev. Davies (Knox Church) also repudiated the notion. Air. Fraser Barton, 8.A., was apoointed Eiole class agent lit £3OO a year. * : -A; A;' ~ ■> \ ~7 ” LIVELY DISCUSSION ON QUESTION OF FINANCE. * ~ i '4f. ■ HOME AIISSIONARIES’ SALARIES Dunedin, November 15. The Assembly considered the financial regulations of the home mission department submitted bv Dr. Gibb. The Rev. P. B. Fraser, in supporting a clause making the minimum salary of £125 for home missionaries, spoke very strongly about the Underpayment of some agents of • tile church. Tiie regulations were adopted with slight amendment. . ' Dr. Gibb then moved that the regulations be sent to, Presbyteries for consideration, the latter to report-to tiie northern home mission committee by Juno, 1912, and until the matter was finally disposed of by the next Assembly the committee operate , a scheme as far ns possible in accordance with tho regulations. The Rev. Finlayson challenged the competency of tho motion, because it introduced fresh legislation without reference to Presbyteries.

The Moderator ruled the motion not competent. Dr. Gibb moved that the Moderator’s ruling l>e disagreed with. A show of hands proved unconclusive, and the roll was called, the result being that Dr. Gibbs’ motion was lost by 70 votes to 09. . . Dr. Gibb then warmly declared' ho could do no more about it. Ho Asserted that most of the 70 had not a ghost of a notion of what they wefe doing. In his opinion the whole btifcinoes had been stultified. -

Dr. Gibb’s remarks caused a grbat d;>a 1 of interruption ami dissent,- and the Moderator remarked: “When you withdraw the reference you have made to Lite house, I think the house will be willing to listen to you.” Dr. Gibb: What reference did I make ? '[’he Moderator: You made’ a reference that was anything but Parliamentary. It is not necessary that I should repeat it. Dr. Gibb then withdrew. The discussion was carried on till 1.40 p.m., and an adjournment was then made. At 2.30 Dr. Gibb took the platform, and it was then ascertained that it was only the proposal, i.e.. that the homo missions committee should operate the scheme that was declared incompetent. The motion, with this proposal deleted, was carried.