THE PRESBYTERIAN CONFERENCE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1696, 24 December 1861, Page 4

THE PRESBYTERIAN CONFERENCE.

.. ■ I [From tbe "Southern News."J -•, As promised in last issue, we now give a fuller account of the recent Conference of ministers and office-bearers of tbe various Presbyterian I cbutcbes in New Zealand wbich assembled at Dunedin. The Conference met on Wednesday, the 20th' ult., at 11 a.m., in the First Cburcb, when Dr. Burns preached 1 a very able and appropriate sermon from John xvii. 11, last clause, and verses 21-23. After the sermon, the Confererice proceeded to business, wben Dr. Burns, on the motiop of Rev. D. Bruce of Auckland, was j unanimously chosen President, and Messrs. Forsaitb and Moir were appointed Clerks. Besides the brethren belonging to the Presbytery of Otago who were pvesent, nnd office bearers of the churches in Dunedin who were inviied to take part in tbe proceedings, there were from Other, parts of the colony, Revs. Bruce (Auckland), Moir (Wellington), Duncan (Hutt rivSr), Hogg, (Wanganui), Calder (Nelson), ministers ;' and Messrs. Archibald Clark, T. S. Forsaitb (Auckland), Macrae (Nelson), and Captain Campbell (Wanganui), elders. With the exception of Mr. Kirton of Wellington, every other Presbyterian minister in New Zealand not actually connected with the Free Church of Scotland was present, viz. Mr. Hogg, of the IJnited Presbyterian, aud My. Duncan, of tbe Reformed Presbyterian. This Jaet, taken in connection with the fact that the .Conference was unanimous in all the resolutions agreed' upon, makes it almost certain that Presbyterian Union will be reached in this Colony without a dissentient voice. T^ 'The first question the Conference considered .was, tbe practicability of union ; and although, 'many obstacles occurred to all from the nature 'bf tbe country and tbe difficulty of communication, which would materially impede the meeting of Synods and Assemblies, yet all ( thought union both, practicable and desirable. ffiip. Conference then proceeded to discuss the 'basis oa which it could be effected. This' basis, along witb tbe history of the proceedings of the Conference, will soon be published as a pamphlet ; but meantime : we may say that it is both brief and comprehensive, as will be seen 1 b_ comparing it with those on which union has *»bee&. effected in Victoria and Canada respectively. The first head declares the Word of God to be, the only supreme rule of faith and manners. The second declares the Westminster Confession, Catechisms, larger and shorter, Directory for Public Worship, Form oi Church Government, and Second Buok of Discipline, to be tb§ subordinate standards, but disavows j,, interpretation , that would militate »»i_wUiV M *y of conscience. The third asserts the responsibility ofthe civil magistrate to God, ; and claims for tbaPreibyterian Church of New

r Zealand independent jurisclictFon in matter) 1 spiritual. 'A%rmularto ife-subscribed by office • beaters, and questions to be put to tbem al " ordination, having been agreed upon, the Conference adjourned to meet .on the follpwing 1 morning;, at 10 o'clock, in Knox Church. A publio meeting was held the same evening in Knox Chinch", when Dr.' Burns read a'barefully prepared paper on the state of religion throughout the world ; and interesting addresses y^ere, delivered by, ; . Messrs. Bruce, Moir, Forsaith/atfdtClark. M? 'fy a Oik Tuesday/ 1 the" Conference resumed its sittings, when tbo following proposals were agreed upon, viz. :-rFirst^ That the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand should have a . General Assembly, meeting periodically every two or three years, or oftener as may be agreed upon: secondly, .That it shall consist of three Synods— the Southern Synod, comprehending Otago, Southland,' and Stewart's Island: tbe , Middle Synod, comprising Canterbury, Marlborough, and Wellington:. the Northern Synod, . embracing Auckland, Napier, and Taranaki : . thirdly, That the C.hureh should take up aod prosecute some Foreign Mission Scheme — that to the New Hebrides beiug specially recommended*—in which it is supposed she may at least support two Missionaries ; fourthly, That ' (he Church should originate, by collections, • donations, of. otherwise, a Widow and Orphans' . Fund. .These proposals were agreed to, and along with the basis of union, were ordered to be sent to ,lthe various Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions- for 'their consideration. On Thursday efeftlhtj the Conference closed' its sittings.'by devotional exercises; and the members bade each hther adieu 'midst emotions of heartfelt", gratitude to God, which swelled high in, the breasts all, and almost choked the utterance of 'thelPresident, who declared 1 that he had taken a part in no scene so affecting since tbe period of the memorable Disruption of 1843. ? , ;•:•" We'uiTde'rstand;that Mr.: Meluish is engaged in-'makiffg a photographic picture of tbe Conference,as a fitting memento, of a meeting which, we doubt nqt, a will mos tmaterially influence tho future of the Churoh of Christ in these islands.