PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2454, 16 February 1882, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wbdnbsday, Febettaey 15.

The Moderator took the chair at 11 o’clock.

The members engaged in devotional exercises during the first hour, and afterword* transacted some routine business.

At the evening sedernnt the Assembly wa* principally occupied in the consideration of a case referred from the Presbytery of Wellington.

An overture was read from the Presbytery of Auckland affirming the desirability of the duties of those who held office in the Church being more clearly defined, and the practice of the several branches of the Church being made more uniform in this respect. The overture not being supported was allowed to lapse. The clerk read returns received from several Presbyteries on the question of Student Evangelists being allowed, under certain restrictions, to celebrate marriage and administer baptism. The question was referred to the Presbyteries at last session of the Assembly. The clerk said that the Presbyteries of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Timaru might be said, from their returns, to disapprove of the proposal, the Presbyteries of Hawke’s Bay and Nelson to approve, and the opinion of the Presbytery of Westland could hardly be classed one way or the other. The Key. Mr Fraser moved—” That the resolution of last Assembly authorisingstudent Evangelists under certain condition* to dispense the sacrament of baptism be repealed.” The Eev. Mr Treadwell seconded the resolution. It was gratifying to find that the majority of the Presbyteries were opposed to students performing the duties in question. The Eov. D. Sidey moved, as an amendment—“ That the legislation of last session on this subject be sustained.” The resolution of the Eev. Mr Fraser showed a tendency towards Sacerdotalism. The Eev. Mr Ogg seconded the amendment. They had committed to their student* the more important work of preaching the Word of God, and why object to their administering baptism in remote districts. The hour of ten o’clock having arrived, th®debate was interrupted, and the Assembly adjourned until this morning at ten o’clock. Thxjesday, Fbbbyaby 16. The Moderator took h:s seat at 10 a.m. The Eev. C. S. Hogg, of Wellington, continued the debate on the Eev. 0. Fraser’® motion. It was finally agreed that all legislation anent giving power to students to baptize hr fallen from, and that in future every case must be brought before the Assembly and dealt with on its merits. A committee was appointed to draw np rules giving clearer expression to the mind of the Church, in regard to the mode of receiving ministers and congregations from other than Presbyterian churches, consisting of Eevs. J. Mackio, J. Hill, W. Gillies, J. Elmelie, and J. Paterson. The Assembly considered the adoption of ■ Barrier Act, when it was agreed that the Barrier Act be not adopted, but that the Assembly in the meantime act in all important cases on the general principle of the Act.

The Assembly adjourned at 2 p.m. till ten o’clock on Friday morning.