HOLY DAYS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3110, 14 June 1917, Page 4

HOLY DAYS

THEHt OBSERVANCE BX PRESBYTERIANS QUESTIONED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, June 13. At a mooting of the Christchurch. Presbytery to-day the Rev. 3. Dickson moved: '"'That in the matter of holy days the law and practice of tho Church hitherto observed be strictly, adhered to, all semblance of .sympathy with them being avoided, and increased, rather than diminished, emphasis be placed on the observance of the lord's Day." The mover condemned the observance of holy days apart from tho Sabbath. There had come into evidence a Christianised heath, enism, in which the Christianity was little more than veneer, and vestments, holy water,' and suchlike wore as grotesque as the Holy Grail of tradition, tho vagaries of tho Dervishes, and tho tapu of the Maoris. He condemned tho celebration of Christmas Day and Good Friday as empty observances, as Christ was crucified on a Thursday. We were send-; mg soldiers to releaso tho slaves of Europe, but were doing nothing to release the slaves of New Zealand. The motion was seconded by tho Rev. C. Murray. Dr. Envin said that if Mr. Dickson wished to stand by the Book of Common Order in regard to holy days, he must logically follow it in other things. • After.discussion, in which the movers attitude found no favour, the motion was lost. , , Mr. Dickson protested, and asked leave to appeal to the General Assembly. The Rev. J. Patterson said he was the person aimed at, and asked the Presbyterv to instruct Mr. Dickson to proceed aga'insfc him. Dr. Erwin said he and Mr. Patterson had presided at celebrations of the Lord's Supper on Good Friday, and therewas no doubt thev were the persons aimed

Ultimately, Mr. Patterson withdrew his plea, and a> committee was set up to go into the question of whether Mr. Dickson had any right of appeal.