THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3628, 27 February 1883, Page 3

THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Auckland. This day

At the meeting of the Presbyterian Assemble yesterday it was resolved that the Assembly go into conmiittee in order to consider the memorial from the Rev. C. Fra.scr, of Christchurch, announcing his Ai'ithdrawal from the Church in consequence of the action of the Presbytery, and appealing against the same, and praying to be readmitted to communion. After full consideration of the matter the following decision ivas come to :—" Whereas Mr C. Frascr has been accused of sins and misdemeanors which, being proved against him, unlit him for holding the position of a minister of the gospel iv this or any other church ; and whereas Mr Eraser has refused to answer charges made against him in proper form by the Presbytery of Christchurch, to which he owes submission, and has stated that he has Avithdraivn from the jurisdiction of the said Presbytery, and from his connection ivith the Presbyterian Church of NewZealand ; and whereas, by the system of procedure adopted in this Church, and in all Presbyterian Churches, a minister or office-bearer of the Church Avho refuses to defend himself from grave charges made against his moral character in the proper quarter is held as confessing his guilt ; and the General Assembly, having "found that the proceedings of the Christchurch Presbytery in the case have been regular, refuse to grant the prayer of the petitioner, declare the deposition pronounced by the Presbytery of Christchurch on Mr C. Frascr to be valid : and declare, further, Mr C. Frascr a fugitive from discipline, and no longer a minister of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand." . r itli reference to the Deceased AA r ife's Sister Act the Rev. AY. Gillies moved that the celebration of such marriages be left to the individual conscience of ministers and members. The Rev. D. Bruce seconded the motion. Rev. J. Macky moved, as an amendment, that it is not desirable to take any action in the matter. Dr. M'Lcod seconded the amendment. After a long discussion the question was put, when eight voted for the amendment and 25 for the motion. The Rev. M'Kenzie Fra.scr entered his dissent to the decision, and said that after this he would consider whether it ivas expedient he should retain his connection with the Church. The Rev. J. Macky said he agreed with what Mr Frascr had said. He also entered his dissent. The Rev. R. M'Kinnev coincided.