PAN-PRESBYTERIAN COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1943, 13 September 1888, Page 2

PAN-PRESBYTERIAN COUNCIL.

The fourth General Oouacll of the Presbyterian Church met -m London m July, Some 50 branches of (i vie. o- represented there. The Council was opened by Dr Dj>keß, late ot Regent Square, LondoD, preaohing from Mat. 2S, 8-12. The bisla of oitfzßnahlp m the kingdom of Heaven waa ehown to be individual relation to the King. The death note of all spiritual tyranny was atruok. While dlsoardlng human authority m religion, they were yet to seek to realise the constructive element, through mutual services and aelf denial. Lard Balfour, of Burlelgh, took the place of the Duke of Argyll (Wednesday, July 4), ia the reception of delegates at Argyll Lodga. Dr Donald Fraser and Dr Donald McLeod (London), seconded the words of welcome. Man. Szilatnay (Bohemia), and M. Eugene Barsler (Paris), Rev Dr Welsh (Ucitad States), Dr Burns (Nova Soitla), Dr Gray (Edinburgh), and Be y Mr Lynd (Belfast) responded for their respective Ohurobea. Rev Dr Matthews submitted the statistics, giving 4 000 000 communicants, 20,000,000 members and adheren's, 1200 presbyteries, 24,000 pastoral charge?, 21,000 m'nisters, anaual laoodae over £6,000,000, 69,000 members on mission fields. Tbe first division of eubjaots was, Congregational Life and Work. Dr A. Thomson read tho first paper oq 11 How best to work the Presbyterian system," especially ss dlreotlng the elden aud deaaons la their lines of Influence and work. In the diaoaaalon which followed, Rev Dr Druny, New York, Mr J. Balfour, W. S. Edinburgh, and Mr W. Henderß'n,^A.befdeeu, to jk part. Dr Rainy, Edinburgh, read a paper on "How beat to work the PiQ^bytarlan system, as promoting 00-oper tlon, ani fostering activity, harmony, aud spiritual life m the congregation." Dr Gavaa, Toronto, urged tha necessity for faithfulness to evangelioal truth, m addition to scriptural government. Mr W. van Norden, New York, thooghk no congregation oould prosper that neglected missions. Pastor Theodore Monod had for his subject, >: Prayerful neß3 aa an element of Church life." Rev Dr Craven, of Philadelphia, spoke of " Self-saorifiae m behalf of Onrist" j Dc Pierson on •' How to reach tha maaseß." On Thursday, the aeoond division of topics waa: Present Intellectual Tendencies, led by Dr Presaeuse, of Paris, on "Modern Apologetus" ; Dr Ellingwood, of New York, on "Destructive criticism"; Dr Marcus Dods, Glasgow, on "Tbe Church aid Unbelief"; Dr G. F. Moore, Andover, U.S., on"Historio*l research and Ohristlao F*tth" ; Principal Edwards, of Aberystwyth, on " The present condition of theological thought aud religious life m Wales." The third division of subj ota was— Social Tendencies of the Time. "Pressure of commercial life" was that taken by Dr Marshall Lang, of the Barony Church, Glasgow ; Principal MaoVioar, Montreal, epoke on " Rich and poor" ; Profesaor Elmallo, of London, took the same sub* j jot, and Dr Moses Hoge, of Richmond, Virginia, gave aa address on ( Christ, tbe Great Reconciler."

* Friday was devoted to foreign raiaslnns, Rev. Dr Murkland, Baltimore, presiding. The next general meeting was decided to be bald at Toronto In 1892. Dr Murray Mitchell iotroaced the subject by some praotloal recommendations to native oharohea ; and Rev Dr Taylor, of Newark, read the report of the American Committee on the same eubjaot, Rev Prof. Lindsay, Glasgow, spoke of affairs In India. There alao spoke, Rev W. S. dwanson, late of China, Dr Elllngwood of New York, Rev W, M. Alex»nder, of Vlotorja, Dr Chambers, New York, Rev Jonh Ross, of Oalna, Dc Kalopothakes, of Athena, and Rev Dr Pbraoer, of New York, It was decided to have a season foe united prayer for missions In November* A groat missionary meetlDg was held In the evening, presided over by Mr H. M.Matheson of London. D/ Shoolbred, of Indl&, Roy Dr Whitton," of Nagpoor, Rev G. Smith, Swantow., Ra* H. Stout, of Japan. Rev J. Robs, from Manchuria, Rev Wm, McGregor, from Amoy, Rev Dr Grant late of Ualontta, Rev W. Stevenson, late of Madras, Rev M. Gring, from japan' and the Rev Dr Post, of Beyroqt gave valuable Information and interesting addresses. On Monday July 9th the ohalr waß occupied by Rev Dr Ball of St Louis, U.S. Great Interest waa taken m the subjeots of the day, " Worcen'a Work " waa introduoad by Prof. Oharterla. of Edinburgh. Rev Dr Hall, of New York, Dr Sohatt and Dr Waddel, of Tamesee, took p*rt. " Ohuroh Worship " was the subject of a paper read by Pasteur Betaler, of Paris. Revs De Apple, of Ohio, Dr D. Eraser, of -London, H. Oiborue, HolywSod, Ireland, and Prof. Pattigrew took pait m the diacussion. Lord Dalrymple presided m the evening when the tnbject was " Temperance." Rev Dr Drummond, of Glasgow, had for his subjjot "Aggressive work m large cities." Uev Dr GUI, of Kentucky spoke. Rev R. J. Lynd, of Belfast, read a paper on the " EvADgellaatlon of Ireland." Rev Dr Monro Gibson, urged to hopefulness. Farther accounts are expected to coma to hand,— (oommunicated.)