THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington* Saturday.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1358, 15 March 1881, Page 2

THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington* Saturday.

The Presbyterian Assembly met again today. It was agreed to rescind the Students Evangelistic Act and the Students Evangelistic Amendment Act, but in consideration of the absolute necessity of rendering the labours of students engaged in practising the work in remote districts effectual in building up congregations, the Assembly resolved to authorise permission to be given to celebrate marriage, and administer baptism under the following regulations : — 1 That permission be given by the Presbytery of the bounds in auch cases when the district in which the student is labouring is wide, and where the neighbouring ordained minister cannot undertake the duty of celebrating marriage and administering baptism within the district under the charge of the student. 2. That permission to administer baptism shall continue only during the pleasure of the Presbytery, and shall in all cases cease when the student removes from the district in respect of which permission was granted. 3. That the student perform this part of his work, as all other parts of his work, under the supervision and control of the minister under whose charge he has been placed. Notices of motion anent recent legislation, and also one concerning the standing of certain students, were handed in. The Assembly went into committee on the Church agency question. On resuming, the following resolutions were reported :— 1. That, with the view of meeting the present circumstances of the Church, and of providing for the necessities of the Church agency, the committee recommend the Rev. David Bruce to work up a third congregation in the south-east district of Wellington. 2. That the Assembly be prepared to adopt a guarantee of ten or more members of adherents of the Church for the stipend or £250 a year for three ye»ra to Mr Bruce on working up a third congregation. Last Night. Tb,e Presbyterian Assembly met t%*fa tq-day. A motion to make Wellington the per., menant pla^e of meeting was discussed,

but. it was agjecid to let matters stand over until all Presbyteries had been communicated with. A notice that the Rev. Mr Brace be returned here as secretary and treasurer of the Assembly was adjourned until the evening. There was a strong discussion on » motion to render the Students',.'JSvangelistic Act (giving power to stu<fimts to celebrate marriages and administer baptism) inoperative for twelve months. This question was also adjourned until the evening sitting.