GENERAL ASSEMBLY, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1567, 26 February 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Tuesday, February 25. The Assembly met at 11 o’clock, and was opened with devotional exercises. ORDER OP BUSINESS. The report of the committee on the business to be transacted during the session was brought up by the hev. Mr Hill, and agreed to. The Rev, Mr Bruce brought forward an overture passed by the Presbytery of Auckland on the subject of the filling up of vacancies. He could mention one or two charges in the colonj in which the interests of the Church were in great peril. It was the customary practice at home to ascertain the views of the congregation as to who was best able to fulfil the ministrations of the parish. He would therefore propose that this Assembly take this matter into i* s serious consideration, and see if nothing practicable can be done with a view of remedying the evils which existed through the difficulties experienced in filling up vacancies at the present time. Cases had come under his notice where it would be desirable that persons doing work for the Church should have a change, while yet they saw no way how it could be accompliahed, although it was well known that it would be highly desirable in the interest of the church.

The Rev Charles Fraser was inclined to sup port the resoluti »n, though he could not see how the proposed committee would be able to r« move the difficulties which were now complained of._ It would require to be a committee appointed by the Assembly, the presbyteries, and the congregations, and not a committee named solely by the congregation themselves. He cordially agreed with the spirit of the overture, but there were two distinct limitations that he saw standing in the way. He would submit that the matter should be sent down to Kirk Se. sions to consider. In that way he would be glad to support the motion. He wouli suggest the following resolution in lieu of that proposed—“ That the spirit and purpose of the overture be approved, ana that an act be framt d providing that in the case of vacant congregations a committee, consisting of, say, four members elected by the congregation two members elected by the Presbytery of the bounds, and one member named from year to year by the Assembly, shall have power to apply to the Presbytery for moderation in a culi to a minister for such congregations. Further, that such act, before being finally passed, shall be sent down to Presbyteries and kirk sessions for their approval.” The Rev. D. Bruce said if the motion were passed, it would have tae effect of obviating the difficulty referred io by the Moderator in his admirable address of the previous evening. The Rev. W. Douglas did not see the need of legislation in this question of filling up vacancies.

Mr Robert Fraser seconded the motion of the Rev. Mr Bruce, and said ever since he had belonged to tee Church he felt it extremely desirable that some such legislation should exist. He was satisfied the arrangement, if carried out, would work very beneficially in the interests of their Church. If the act was carried it would come into force as soon as there was a vacancy.

The Rev. J. Hill was very jealous of anything savoring of patronage, and he was certain if the thing proposed were done that the people would regard it as an infringement of their rights He thought it would be very much better to let the matter remain as it was.

In replying to the various speakers, the Rev. Mr Bruce thought there was a great deal of confusion in the minds of the members of the A-sembly. He would suggest that a committee of the House be appointed to report to a future meeting of the sederunt. The Rev. J. Paterson seconded the suggestion of the Rev. D. Bruce. Congregations had at present the power to appoint committees to look out for a suitable minister. If the act was passed, he believed that it would lead to greater evils than those which at present existed. The Rev. G. Barclay had great pleasure in supporting the motion for a committee. The Rev. C. j Eraser was quite agreeable to the appointment of a committee, to whom his own motion might be referred. The Kev. H. B. Burnett would also favor the appointment of a committee. The Rev. C. S. Ogg spoke against the motion of the Rev. Mr Fraser and in favor of that of the Rev. D. Bruce. The matter was then referred to a committee ; the committee to consist of the Moderator, the ex-Moderator, the Revs. C. Fraser, R. Fraser, C. S. Ogg, W. Gillies, J. Paterson, and D. Bru e, the ex Moderator convener. The Rev. J. Patterson moved that the question of exchanges be also taken np by the committee. Seconded by the Rev. F. M. Hauxwell, and agreed to. OVERTURE EE COLLECTIONS. An overture on the subject of special collections, passed by the Presbytery of Auckland, was read by the Rev. D. Bruce, who, in speaking to the overture, said he had found in going through the country there was a very general opposition to some of the schemes of the Church on the subject of collections. An act should be passed to disabuse the minds of the people on the subject that the clergy and the office-bearers could do what they liked with the collections. The Rev. J. EJmslie seconded the motion. The Rev. C. Fraser thought it should go forth as a declaratory act carrying out the principles which they had already recognised. After a few words from the Revs. J. Hill, B. Fraser, and G. Morice, Tne Rev. D. Bruce moved that the overture be remitted to a committee, consisting of the Moderator and the Revs. C. Fraser, R, Fraser, J. Elmslie. MeNiccol, G. Morice, G. Lindsay; the Rev. J. Elmslie to be the convener to report to a future sederunt. Ihe Rev. J. Paterson seconded the motion, which was spoken to by the Revs. W. Sheriff G. Barclay, H.B. Burnett, E Fraser, and W. Gillies, the latter suggesting that the same committee be the committee to arrange for the collections during the ensuing year. The motion of the Rev. D. Bruce was then agreed to I he Rev. Mr Gillies then put his suggestion in the form of a motion. It was seconded by the Rev. G. Lindsay and agreed to. REGULATIONS OP CONGREGATIONAL AFFAIRS. An overture sent down from the Auckland Presbytery on this subject was read and moved by the Rev. D. Bruce, asking the Assembly to legislate on the subject. It was due to their office-bearers that there should be positive enactment, in order to avoid the suspicions which were now liable to fall upon them in certain respects. There should be a certain day in the financial year on which the congregations should meet to discuss the questions of the Church in open court as it were. It should be made very express, tbat the que-tion of collection formed a purpose of their worship. The Rev, W. Douglas concurred in same of the suggestions contained in the overture, though not with all of them. He did not agree with the election of the office bearers by public meetings, but rather by voting papers. The Rev. C. S. Ogg thou, ht the Presbytery of Auckland were altogether too heavy on the Assembly in their overtures. That under discussion ho thought was qnro unnecessary, and he would move that it be dismissed. The Rev, J Paterson was not prepared to second the motion, and agreed with many of the sugge- ions contained in the overture. With regard to the appoi tment of office bearers it should be done by schedule, as well as by open meeting he Rev. W. Sheriff would suggest that this overture should a so bo referred to the committee last appointed.

Tho Moderator would not cere to see the proposed change take place unless very good reasons were shown ror it.

f' fter the Revs. J Hill, H. B. Bnrnctt. ,T. Paterson, .1, Klmalie, C. Fraser, D. lirnce, N. McGregor, W. sheriff, and W. Gillies had addressed tiie Assembly, The Eev. J. Paterson moved—“ That the overture should he referred to the committee which was still in existence on the subject, drawing up rules and regulations,’' which committee was still in existence.

Finally the overture, with modifications, was ado at (I. The assembly then adjourned until half-past seven o’clock. NOTICES OF MOTION On resuming in the evening a number of ) notices of mot.on were given for the next day. POKENO. The Rev. D. Bruce brought forward the question of the site for a church and manse at Pokeno. Tin Government had promised to give a Crown grant for the site, hut had now refused to do ao, through certain political interests being brought to near. The word of the Government was supposed to be as good as the Bank, though it did not now appear to be so. Thee ngregatirnin question wished to secure the sympathy of the i hurch, and at the same time to be placed in a position to obtain another site. He would sugge~t that a collection should he mods in the various churches to enable the Pokeno people to get over the financial difficulties as well as to show the sympathy of t e Church generally. The Rev. Charles Fraser wi-hed to know whether the sympathy should be confined to a simple giant, or whether action should be taken in making any application to the Government. The Rev. D. Brace did not think it would do any good to apply to the Government. Other steps might be taken. The Rev. G. Barclay would like to hear the special financial position of the congregation in question in reference to this s.te, _ . The Rev. D. Bruce said the special difficulty was that the land in question could not now bt bought for several times the amount which would have secured it at the time in question. A matter of .£SO to .£IOO would be a great thing for a small and struggling congregation. The Hev. J. Elmslie failed to see the peculiarity of the case. Tbe Rev. John Paterson moved —“That we express our sympathy with the congregation of Pokeno, and recommend them to the hearty liberality of the Church in Auckland.” The Rev. D. Bruce said that they were sure to have. , The Rev. G. Morice thought they ought to memorialise the Government on the subject. The Rev. C. Fraser moved a resolution to this effect, according the sympathy of the General Assembly to the people of Pokeno, and asking the Moderator to make representations to the Government to obtain suitable redress. The Rev. G. Morice seconded the motion. The Rev: J. Paterson thought the matter ought to be referred to a committee., He would oppose the motion of representations being m rie to the Government in this off-hand way. After some discussion it was resolved that the whole of the papers in connection with the matter should he read. The House then went into committee. On the House resuming, it was reported that a motion had been passed appointing the vtoderatof, and the Revs. Messrs Paterson and Ogg to be a deputation to wait upon the Government on the subject HINDRANCES TO THE GOSPEL.

The Rev. J, Hill read a very interesting paper on this subject, which was listened to most attentively by a very considerable attendance, ■lUiong them neing many ladies. THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY, ITS PLACE AND POWER. The Rev, R. Fraser read a very long and exhaustive paper on this subject. The Rev. J. Paterson thought both papers had admirably treated of the subjects dealt with by th"ra, and he would move that the Assembly record and express their thanks to the readers. The Eev. G. Morice seconded the motion, which was agreed to unanimously. The thanks were formally accorded Messrs Hill and Fraser by the Moderator. The fc'ederunt then adjourned until eleven o’clock this morning.