THE PRESBYTERY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 560, 15 July 1909, Page 9

THE PRESBYTERY.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS DISCUSSED. THE EXISTING, "WAR, CRAZE." Important questions wero' discussed at a largely-attended mooting of tho Wellington Presbytory held on Tuesday. . Tho Rev. Dr. Gibb (Moderator) vacated •' the chair in order to move certain motions. The chair was taken moanwhilo by tho Rev. James Paterson. ■' ' Greetings to Synod. The R«v. Dr. Gibb moved:'' "That' the Presbytery of Wellington would tender to tho, Synod of, the Anglican Church now in ' session in this city fraternal greetings, express Uieir sincere interest in and sympathy with all tho efforts mado by the Angßcan Church to promote the glory of God and tho highest interests of man in this community, and pray that tho blessing of tho Most High may re-it upon aN the . 'deliberations and doings of tho Synod. The Rev. J. Kennedy Elliott seconded tho motion, which was adopted unanimously. '" ■ ' Calvin Quater-centenary. ' -J Dr. Gibb next moved: "The Presbytery of -Wellington desire to unite with tho great fraternity ef Presbyterian Churohcs throughout tho w«rld in' commemorating the four hundredth anniversary of the birth of Calvin. Tn«y"-r«ogniM in him a man to whom the Presbyterian Church owes much of what , is formative in ite theology and distinctive in its p»licy. The'times have changed, tho atmosphere of to-day differs greatly from that of Europe in the sixteenth century, and tho Church is no longer' so -sura that logic will satisfactorily solve 'all theological problems; or unite in an intelligiblo synthesis the sovereignty'of God and tho'freedom of the human will But. tho Presbytery thankfully affirm then: conviotion that tho theology and the ecclesiastical polity of Calvin , 'wero the supromo desideratum of the churches of tho western' reformation at a ', momentous epoch of their history. Without tho'inspiration of Calvin's conception of tho ' . Divino sovereignty and of the ono increasing purpose of God in human history;_ without his'guidance'and counsel freely given as ■ they fought their long and bitter fight with superstition and cruel wrong, they could not have witnessed their good confession nor stood firm.in the ovil day. They rendered a v service to the cause of free religion,, freeing ,it in the lands now 'called Protestant from tho corruptions of a Church which had ' become a salt that has lost ite savour; they rendered a no less signal service to the cause of 'political enfranchisement of ,tho people, delivering them from the yoke and bondage* of tyrannical Icings and rulers. Tho Presbytery blesses God for the man who put tho iron into .their' blood and strengthened them for their weighty task, whoso successful accomplishmeht has secured for us tho < liberty, which is now our inalieaable possesrio"- . ' , « T The motion was seconded by the Rev. J. Kennedy Elliott, and carried unanimously. With regard to the great blot on Calvin's - - life, kis responsibility for the burning of ■ Servetus, it was stated that a monument 1 expressing regret for that ict had lately been erected by the follewers of Calvin mGeneva. • >' ! To Avald War. ' i Tho following motion, ,, slightly modified 1 ' from & resolution passed'by the Nelson Pres- - bytory, my moved .by Dr. Gibb: "That in view of i tho danger'of a collision between the British and German Empires, with all its 1 calamitous consequences to civilisation, commerce, and religion, this Presbytery is of opinion that 'while it is our duty and privilege as a people to do our very utmost to preserve our interests by land and, sea, and defend at all hazards tho great hentago I which Providence has entrusted to us in the interests of",the world, it behoves us, to maintain a calm, Unvindictive, and Christian spirit; and it would earnestly call upon , / all its members and adheronts to be much in prayer that we and our'brethren of, the Ger,man Empire may continue to enjoy the in- . estimable blessings of peace, and to refrain 'on our part fr6m any word or deed cal- ' culated to embitter the between ' two nations" so closely allied in race, ednca'tionj' and religion,- and whoso reigning 'fami- - lies are bo nearly related, by blood: • 'This 'Presbytery is' l furthor of opinion that this Church, in conjunction with other branches of the great Presbyterian family scattered , throughout the British dominions, should '• at the earliest possible,,'moment, ."make r'e- . presentations on the' above lines' to tho National Ifvangelican Kirk/ithe Free Kirks, the'ißeformed .Kirks, ami,the Old Lutheran ' Kirk of Germany,-all of''whom" are so akin in doctrine, government,'and worship. ' inviting them to join.'cwith' us in united , prayer and earnest effort that a warlike spirit, on both sides may be' restrained, a 1 good understanding and- fellowship between i" the' two Christian nations promoted, the rising ,cost of armaments,, which is. such a blot on civilisation, diminished,, and that l 'they, with us, may enjoy the approbation of " ' '-Eim who said: 'Blessed, are the ; peace-, makers, for they shall be called tho children of God.' The; Presbytery expresses tho .desire that the subject fvill receive the con- ' sideration of the supreme court, with a view to an acceptable and harmonious finding at tho next General Assembly in Christehurch, in tho interests of peace and the Kingdom of God." The mover said that they were not peace-at-any-prico men.-; it must bo peace with honour. They recognised that they had a heritage which' they must defend, but that was - quite another thing from the war craz&Hhat eeemed to have taken possession of the Empire to-day, and the magnifying of, and glorying in, mere material strength and prosperity. The Rov. J. Kennedy Elliott seconded the ~ motion. ' ' Navy League Criticised. Tho Rev. R. Inglis (Khandallah) supported the motion. Ho read with strong disappro-' , val a letter from a Waikato settlor to the ( ' Wellington secretary 'of the Navy League, which had been quoted with apparent ap- • proval' by the\ secretary in tire newspapers. The letter concluded: "Wishing tho league ' every success, and if the worst comes to tho • worst, I hone to see the day when Germany ' will get an "infernal thrashing,',' If that was the spirit which tho Navy Leaguo was fostering it was a rpprchensiblo and un-Chris-tian spirit, and the league was doing a very doubtful servico to the Empire. . Tie Rev. W. J. Comrie asked if tho motion was to be understood as in any nay as , a counterblast to the N*vy League? If that were the case ho could not support it. He did rot tfcink it was intended as a reflection on the league, or as an indication that tho Piesbytery ,was opposed to the means that wero being taken for the defence of their natjon. Dr. Gibb: 1 made it most clear that" nothing of the kind was intended. It was pointed out that the Navy League could not bo held responsible for the expresI sions of all its supporters.' Mr. Inglis: "They should not be enddrsed by tho secretary., Tho motion was adopted unanimously. Aids to Worship. ' \ The Rov, R. Inglis (Khandallah), convener of a speeinl committee, reported that after considering a' number of books suitable as aids m the conduct of public' worship, tho comnntteo had unanimously decided tq rei commend the following:—(l)'A now directory lor thfe public worship of God, founded 'on tho Book e f Common Order'and the Westminster Director*, prepared and issned by the Public Woiship Vssociatien of tho Frco Chinch of Scotland. (2) A Book of ChuTch Services for use by laymen in the absence of a minister, a most excellent book and well adapted to colonial requirements, iisned on tho Authority of the Presbyterian Church of Australia (State of New South Wales). (3) A book of "Prajers for Social and Family Worship," is>™cd byf the General Assembly of tho Ohuidi of Scotland, for use in tho homo and as a stimulus to family worship. Hi moving the adoption of the report, Mr. Inglis spoke at effme l«ngth on tho merits i 'of the books reoonwended. Tho committeo had exceeded their commission in making the last l ccommondatten, but thev had dono so in view of tho importance of the matter. The Rev. A. T. Thompson (litsterton) seconded the motion.' The Rov. J. Kennedy Elliott said it should , be clearly understood that tho use of these books would bo purely optional, and that the

movement for their adoption had como entirely from a section of the clergy. Ho described sticli uids to worship as the cripplo s crutch, air-bladders of the weak swimmer, suppoits that ncro not necessary to the normal person. ' ' Tho Rov. Dr. Gibb said the idea was that tKo books would have great suggestive value. Ho did not suppose- they would bo actually read to congregations. Ho was against set prayers, though he thought a sctform could bo used with advantage for tbo intercessory prayer. At the sanio time ho found that Knox and Calvin weio strong on road prayers. Tho motion was adopted. Other MattQrs.

The Rev. A. Thomson was relieved of the Moderatorslup of the Upper Hutt, the Rev. M'Caw, newly appointed to Lower Hutt, becoming his successor. It was reported that tho Maryborough chargo had been declared vacant, and the congregation had appointed a Selection Committeo to find a now minister. Tho Rev. W. Shirer reported that tho Sunday School examinations had been held, and that there had been an large entrance. It was a pity, however, that those examinations and those of the Sunday School Union were hold practically at tho same time. Dr. Gibb reported that the orphanage at Brooklyn was progressing satisfactorily. At the Governor's desire, tho date of tho formal opening had been altered to Friday, July 23, at 3.30 p.m. It was hoped that the Mayor and Minister for ♦Education would bo present, in addition to his Excellency. Suggestions wero made by Dr. Gibb for increasing the social intercourse of ministers, by arranging for them to lunch together and spend a social hour after tho meetings of tho Presbytery. . Tho Rov. J. Gibson Smith asked if if would bo possible to combine this suggestion with the idea of a New Zealand Club, which seemed a first-class proposal. The Revs. J. Kennedy Elliott and R. Inglis were asked to consider tho matter and ronort what could bo done. The "Rev. W. J. Comrio gavo notice to move at the next meeting of the Presbytery: "That an overturo be sent to the General Assembly calling attention to the desirability of a guarantee being given to the Fire T"j3uranco Fund from the Jubilee and New,. Century Funds." . .