THE PRESBYTERY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1177, 12 July 1911, Page 4

THE PRESBYTERY.

PRAISE BOOK OF THE CHURCH, THE MARRIAGE LAW. The Wellington Presbytery met at St. John's Churcii yesterday morning, the Rev. L. Thompson, M.A., presiding. Tho Rev. G. H. .Tupp, the organising secretary, of the Youth of tho Church Committee, was associated with tho Presbytery.' Tho committee appointed to consider the question of the book of church praise reported that ono session recommended the--Old Church Praise, six sessions and fight organists favoured New Chnrch Trahc, and three sessions and two organists tho Church Hyrnnary. Dr. Gibb moved and the Kev. A. 1. lhomp-son-seconded: That tho Presbytery appravo of Church Praise as the 1 raiso book of the Church. Inasmuch, however, as a number of congregations aro now using the Hymnary, tho Presbytery doe* not' surest that tho Assembly should enjoin, these to adopt Church Praise, but that it should bo introduced at such timo as may bo convenient for tnem. The Kev. B. Inglis moved as an amendment, and tho Kev. J. K. Elliott seconded: "That this Presbytery is of opinion that in tho interests of Christian unity and liberty, it is undesirable to interfere with the present freedom of congregations in their uso of any of the; Books of Praise which liavo been authorised by the General Assembly.' After discussion the motion was carried. The Orphanage. Dr. Gibb presented the report of the Orphanage and Social Service Association. It was agreed that the Presbytery expresses its sincere thankfulness _at i'he prosperity which has attended this philanthropic movement, rejoices to learn the prospects of tho orphanage soon having a homo of its own, is so hopeful, approves tho plans submitted of the proposed structure; reappoints tho committee with the additional name of Mr. G. A. Troup; anew commends tho orphanago and the works of the social service agent to the liberality of tho people of the Church. Ne Temere Docree. Dr. Gibb gave notice of motion of the following Roman Catholic Nd Teraere Decree:— . ~ the No Tomere Decree of the Roman Catholic Church demands for the validation of a marriage between Roman Catholic and non-Roman Catholic subjects of this Dominion, the presence of a Roman .Catholic priest, and in the absence of a priest declares this marriage null and void. - ; "And whereas -tho-- decree' thereby unwarrantly interferes with the proper liberty of certain subject's of this Dominion who are declared incapable of contracting a valid marriage without the presence of a Roman Catholic priest. "And whereas tho decree exalts tho variable regulations of a particular ecclesiastical discipline to a level with tho unchangeable moral laws of God in de- ', te.rmining what marriages aro valid. ' "And whereas this decree is contrary to'public policy and inimical to domestic peace and social welfare (a) in that it subjects non-Roman' Catholic parties to marriage contracts sanctioned by civil law, and against which no Divine lawis or can bo alleged, along with' their Roman Catholic partners to the marriages, 'tp : the'".'scandalous importation'.of concubinage so that : - their -children' aro not:hbrn in.tiino.wedlock; and (b) that.it incites Roman Catholic partners in euch marriage , to" repudiate the obligations resting, on lawfully married persons." .■..'.' ...

"It is hereby overtured to the. verier-, able the General Assembly meeting' 'in' Dnncdiii in November next, jto take tho premises into flue consideration, and to issue a manifesto-setting forth the mind of this Church regarding this intolerable invasion of the civil and religious rights of the people! and to take such-(further steps', if possible, in co-operation -with other churches, as shall expose the machinationsnbf the Papacy,'. and • put tho people on their guard against the subtle encroachment, of the Roman Church on tho liberties of the nation."