VICTORIAN PRESBYTERIANS AND LOYALTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 230, 23 November 1900, Page 3

VICTORIAN PRESBYTERIANS AND LOYALTY.

ahoby .recriminations. (FIB Piraa' ASSOCIATION. I (Received 22,9.22 a.m.) " Melbourne, November 22, A stormy scene occcured in the Presbyterian General Assembly when til* report of the Public Questions Committee came up recommending the presentation of an address to the Duke and Duchess of York. Professor Bentoul, of Peace and Humanity Society fame, who is ths convener of the Committee, in a speech brutling with loyalty pointed out that the responsibility of drafting the addresses rested with him. The Rev. Dr. Marshall moved for a special committee in order to prevent 4he responsibility resting on one man, and especially on Professor Beutoul, who on the Boer war question was hopelessly oat of sympathy with the Church and grossly misrepresented it. A man who had spoken about the National Anthem as Professor Beutoul Jjad done made it look as if the Church were making professions of loyalty with her tongue in her cheek. To accept Professor Rentoal's proposals would do gross serious injustice to the Church. Professor Bentoul replied that thei present was the most extraordinary! . state of things hehad ever known in the I Presbyterian Church, He feft ashamed .of being a Presbyterian. All the trouble ■ was a wholly unnecessary attack flung at ihim 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," hisses, confusion and great disorder) than ever he (Bentoul) had done. Eventually Dr. Marshall's asa,en<Jiment was lost by four votes. Dr. Marshall announced that he had jno alternative but to resign all connection with the administration of the AssembJv.