PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY BREAKFAST.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1203, 11 December 1873, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY BREAKFAST.

A jjreakfaht was given this morning, at Canning's restaurant, to the clergy and oldors cf the Presbyterian Church, now .assembled in Auckland, by the Presbyterian layuion of the city. About fifty gentlemen Hat down to the excellent viands provided, .Mr Thomas Macil'arlano being called to thu chair. Several lay visitors were prosont. After breakfast the Chairman spoke a few words of wolcomc to the assembled guosts. The Yen. Rev. the Modorator briefly replied, saying that he thought it was advisablo that the opportunity should be given to tho laity present in preference to the clergy to express their ideas.

Mr John Lamb rose, and in beginning a pithy and interesting speech, alluded to tho pleasure it gave him to be present on tho occasion of such an assemblage »It reminded him of days gono by in Ijjie old country, where ho had attended .similar gatherings. Ho hoped that Churoh breakfasts would bocomo more frequent. Ho was pleased to 860 the onward movement which was being made in tho Church. Ho was of'opinion that a good system of reform was v/ery desirable. He was pleased to soe that the introduction of music was now. bocoming general. There was nothing worthier of their attention than tho celebration of tho praises of their great Creator. In Heaven—where they all hoped to mcct —music was to be universal. Another movement ho had watched with interest was the movoment against intemperance. He had noticed with pleasure that tho subject had afforded ground for a motion in the Assembly yesterday. There, was nothing so becoming to the ministers of the gospel as advancing against this crying evil of the age. It rested with them to stem the torrent of vice and degradation which from this source had sot in over tho land. After giving, an illustration of a conversion from intemperance Mr Lamb concluded by oxpressing his joy at meeting so many friends. No other layman volunteering to speak. The llev. Mr Patterson rose and said that what they had been engaged in that morniag was a fitting introduction to tho work of the day viz., the discussion of the '' Sustentation Fund." (Laughter.) He admired the tone of Mr Lamb's remarks. Tho vein of true Prosbyterianism was plainly to be seen in them. There were no narrow and bigoted ideas expressed, but wide and noble Sentiments. He was pleased to see so many laymen present taking an interest in the business of the churoh. Without the 00-operation of the laymen tho works and schemes of the clergy would become abortive. He had experienced groat gratification; from his visit to Auckland. Ho trusted that when the Assembly met at Wellington he should have the pleasure of meeting a large number of Auckland gentlemen, i

The| Rev Mr Elmslie had listened with igroat pleasure to the spepch of Mr Lamb, which ho considered had introduced a subject of paramount ira[portanco, namely, how far it became the Church to stand up for tho progressive and how far for the conservative system of worship. He did not believe in adhering to things simply because they wera old. At the same time it behoved the Church to be conservative as touching all fundamental truths ; those truths whioh, as Mr Lamb said, their fathers had bled for.

The Rev D. Bruce, in commencing, caused some laughter by addressing the Chairman aa Moderator. He was afraid he had already had more than his share of speechifying. With regard to the progressiveism and conservatism of the Church he had his views op the matter, but he would not dwell on them now. He had himself found the conservatism strongest. He did not wish to encourage stereotyped ideas; but he intended after breakfast to hand over* the members of the Presbytery to the hands of Mr Bartlett to be photographed (laughter). The Roy. Mr Shinff aaid, aa a stranger, he

should like to say a few words expressive of tbo gratiiication which his visit to Auckland had given him. He had heard the Assembly •spoken of as affording a good holiday to the clergy. Ho did not quite agree with the rern.'ti-k, aa there was plenty of hard work, but at the same time the meeting of so many, all imbued with a desire for the church's good, was very refreshing. The TJev. Mr Ross said he was not surprised at the present struggle of progress ngainst conservatism. He thought at present the latter would--prove too strong? for the former. He did not object to a ship being placed upon the gridiron if it was proved she required it, provided always she had enough metal on her to stand scraping (laughter). Ro with the church. Although he did not object to alteration where it was required, he did not at present sec that it was required, and he thought they could not do better than ■stick to the good old blue banner of Presbytcrianism. (Cheers).

Mr Geo. Sibbin, in a humorous speech, causing a good deal of laughter, urged the introduction of uniform services in the Church.

The Eev. David Bruce having thanked their entertainers for their hospitality, the assemblage dispersed.