PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2199, 14 March 1881, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

[PBEfIB ASSOCIATION TBLB9BAM.] WELLINGTON, March 12.

The Presbyterian Assembly met ®f? ain to-day, and agreed to rescind the Students Evangelistic Act and the Students Evangelic Amendment Act, but, in consideration of the absolute necessity of rendering the labors or students engaged in preaching the Word in remote districts effective in building up congregations, the Assembly resolved to authorise permission to be given to celebrate marriage and administer baptism under the following regulations 1. That permission be given by the Presbytery of bounds in such cases when the district in which the student is laboring is wide, and the neighboring ordained minister cannot undertake the duty of celebrating marriage and administering baptism within the district under the charge of the student. 2 That permission to administer baptism shall continue only during the pleasure of the Presbytery, and shall in all oases cease when the student removes from the district in respect of whioh permission was granted. 3. That the student perform this part of his work, as all other parts of his work, under the supervision and control of the minister under whose charge ho has been placed. Notices of motion anent recent legislation and also one concerning the standing of certain students were handed in. The Assembly went into committee on the Church agency question, and on resuming, the following resolutions wore reported :—l. “ That with a view of meeting the present circumstances of the Church, and of providing for the necessities of the Church, the agency committee recommend the Rev. David Bruce to work up a third congregation in the South-east District of Wellington.” 2. 11 That the Assembly be prepared to accept the guarantee of ton or more members or adherents of the Church for a stipend of £250 a-year for three years to Mr Bruce on working up the third congregation.” The Assembly then adjourned until Monday.