GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1202, 10 December 1873, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Yesterday.—Continued. THEOLOGICAL TRAINING. The report of the committee on this subject was brought up, and recommended cooperation with the Otago University. The report was adopted. UNIFORMITY OF SKRVICB. A motion by the Rev. D. Bruce, recommending the maintenance of uniformity of divine service in all the churches, evoked some discussion, but was ultimately carried. A motion in favour of prepared forms of marriage and burial services, moved by the Key D. Bruixs, and seconded by the Rev R, fl, Macnicol, gave rise to a very animated discussion, the Revs Messrs Elmslie, Paterson, Ross, McKinney, and McCrae contending that it was a step towards Episcopacy. The motion was lost, an amendment moving the previous question being carried by 13 to 12. CHURCH EXTENSION. After discussion on the report of this committee it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Stevenson, that the collections for church intension should be discontinued, as they conflict with the Home Missions. TEMPERANCE. On the motion of the Rev. P. Mason the second Sunday of May was appointed for sermons in all the churches on temperance, and the Revs. Messrs Bruce, Tait, Paterson, McNicol, Macky, Norrie, Ross, and Mason, and Messrs Clark, Rattray, Gavin, and Peacocke were appointed a committee to take active measures for the suppression of intemperance. THIS -DAY. SUMMONING THE ASSEMBLY. The Rev. Mr Elmslie replied to a question of the Key. Mr Shiriff by stating that he was informed by the Clerk some months back that the meeting of the Assembly would take place in December. There was no ground forthe supposition that sufficient notice of the Assembly meeting at this time had not been given. The Rev. Mr Bruce said he thought the representatives who had not come up to tha Assembly had other reasons for being away. INFIRM MINISTERS AND "WIDOWS AND ORPHANS' FUND. Trustees were appointed for each of these funds. Messrs A Clark, Peacock, and Stevenson were constituted trustees of the InfirmMinistera' Fund, Auckland, and Messrs Watt, Turnbull, Waring, Taylor and J. Smith were constituted Trustees of th« Widows and Orphang' Fund to tit in Wellirgton. CHURCH PROPERTY. Tht report of the committee on this subject was handed in and read. After a lengthy discussion a motion to the following effect was proposed by the Rev Mr Elmslie, and seconded by Rev Mr Paterson : —"That the Assembly receive the report and convey their thanks to the committee, and at the same time ask information as to the state of the title deeds of the church property, and if possible to obtain an Act from the General Assembly securing to the church all its property and placing it upon a negotiable footing." Alter some expressions of opinion the motion was carried. REPORT OF THE DEPUTY TO THE OTAGO ■ ■■>', ; SYNOD. The Rev Mr Elmslie presented his report on this subject. The report spoke highly of the prospect of a speedy union with the Otago Synod. The deputy concluded by suggesting that a committee on union be formed, to co-operate with the committee on union appointed by the Otago Synod. Rev Mr Macky moved the motion, and Rev Mr Norrie seconded. On being put to the meeting the motion was carried. Mr Elmsley then nominated the following gentlemen for the committee :—Rev Messrs Bruce, Macky, Patterson, Calder, Fraser, Ross, Turnbull, and Gatland. The names being submitted to the Aslemblv, were approved of. The Rev. Mr Elmslie then proposed " That the Moderator and the Rev. Mr Paterson be appointed a deputation to the Otago Synod to express to the Synod the regret of the Assembly that on what appeared to the members trivial ground the Otago brethren were not represented in the Assembly. The. motion was seconded, and caused some discussion. The Rev. Mr Macky spoke in strong terms against the deputation being sent. Because the Moderator wished to go to Otago was not a good reason for sending a deputation.