THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Issue 4025, 20 January 1876, Page 2

THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

i Yesterday’s Sederunt. ( The Sustentatiou Fund Committee brought down a long report, in which it was stated that the dividend for the year just closed (L 219 18s (itl) was higher than it had been for the last twelve years. Twenty-five congregations showed an increase on last yeads contributi ns and six a decrease. On the motion of Mr D. bORBXE, the report was adopted. The Kev. Mr Bruce resumed the debate on the Kev. Mr St bo’s motion re Church union. I stron ly urging union as a means 'or strength cuing the Church throughout tie C deny. The Bev, Air Fraser, also in favor of union, con (radiated (he impression that it would can -e disunion in the norther r Church.—The Kev. Mr Bannerjian contended that such disunion would be caused. A General Assembly, as would then bo formed, would be really nothing else than a mere sham. He would move That, whoroas the proposals contained in the Union Committee’s repoi t imply breaking up of the United Church in the North into three distinct Churches, each exercising supreme legislative and judicial functions, and the erection of a General Assembly such as is wholly unknown to the constitution of the Presbyterian Church, and would, if earned into effect, virtually hinder the exercise of discipline and right Church government in the several Churches formed from the presently united Church in the IJNorth, the proposals‘be not adopted and in lieu thereof the fo lowin be adopted and sent down to Presbyteries, viz. : —(1.) That each of the Churches shall recognise the status of the ministers, elders, deacons, probationers, and members of the other as if they were their own ; and that vacant congregations of ,the one Church shall be at liberty to obtain a supply of ministers or probationers from the other. (2.) That in reference to students, some arrangements shall be adopted by which, in the meantime, attendance at the theological seminary of the one Church shall be accepted by the other, while both Churches shall aim at an ultimate assimilation in regard to the standards and other methods of theological education. (3.) That each of the Churches shall conduct its own missionary operations, but aim at combined efforts in regard to the same missionary enterprises, so far as that may be found practicable. (4.) That a certain number of coiTespondiug members, not to exceed per cent of the congregations of the Church to which they are commissioned, shall be appointed by the Supremo Courts of each Church to attend the meetings of the other, with right to deliberate but not to vote. IT at, at times to be agreed upon (say tiiennially), a council of both Churches shall meet to deli berate on their common interests, and without exercising legislative or judicial functions, to aid and advise in questions of difficulty and importance that ma> affect their interests, and that the council shall consist of a relative proportion of the const!tuout members of each Synod to bo chosen by the Synods respectively.Mr Beqo seconded this amendment. —Dr Copland considered that many advantagewould result from the proposed union, and if they could thereby assist the work of Church extension in the North they should do so. He moved —

That the basis of the proposed union between this Church and the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand sent down from the Synod to the Presbyteries lust year, and now reported on, be approved and adopted, and that the Union Committee be instructed to arrange preliminaries with the commissioners from the Northern Church, with the view of having the union of the two Churches consummated at the next meeting of the Synod.

Dr. Stuart seconded Dr. Copland’s amendment. He said he was a citizm of the Colony ami wished to be a member of a Church i mbracmg the whole of the \ -oluny. here hau iuit-n too much Provincialism in Church and Slate.

The Her. Mr Rtlbt moved—+i.wn. proposed uniox between this Church and the Presbyterian Churoh of New Zealand bs sent down to the Kirk Sessions, and that no further steps be taken until the returns from the Kirk Sessions be received*

After a long discussion, Dr Copland withdrew his amendment in favor of that of the Rev. Mr Ryley but th.3 latter gentleman said he was willing that his should be amended, so it might reach the Sessions throiuh the 1 rtsbyfcerrrs, d The Rev Mr Sutherland moved as a further amendment :

u nSf. ?°“!r rall y approve of the basis of ar-s£ss!a'^

W^?r 8e 2 mded hy the Rev - Mr Ross.— Iho Rev, Mr Bannebman having replied, Mr Kyley a amendment was put against Mr Sutherland s and lost by 25 to 14, Mr Sutherland’s was then put against Mr Btnnerman’s, and carried by 31 to 3.