Presbyterian Assembly.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1921, Page 3

Presbyterian Assembly.

|„y Tia.KCltAl'll—l‘Ell I'ltEBS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Nov 23. The Presbyterian General Assembly concluded to-night. The report of the Committee on t.lie relation of the Church to the Divoiee Law. as already published, was presented hy Rev Professor Cumming. He drew attention to the wide variety of views held on this difficult question. The Westminister Confession, he said, recognised that there might lie. two mi which divorce could ,e granted. One was for a supreme offence against the marriage relation. Th,, ether was for desertion. TTo said the latter was the ground referred to by St Paul in Ins first epistle to the Corinthians. Chap VTI. The opinion, however, was that the recent logtslaton had gone far beyond tho grounds contemplated in Dm 'Scripture. He did not think that it was possible to lay down detailed rules that would always apply to individual eases. ITe said a good deal might, be left lo individual Ministers and lo thp sessions. lie moved that the Assembly protest against the legislation, which lias ilia,’divorce possible as a sequel to lbn voluntary separation of husband rmwil'e. an’,l that it' demand that flic recent legislation he repealed. The motion was approved. The Anglican Synod forwarded another resolution, asking for the amendment of :i section of the Aiarriage Act | <)2O requiring that Ministers rc-rd the filet of divorce on a marriage register.

Professor Cumming said they wore simply asked to rccovd the fool of divorce and not. to express any opinion about it, and it was agreed to take no action in (lie matter. Tt was decided to take no action also with reference to section seven of the Marriage Act of 1920. Professor Cumming stated that the Assembly bad already pronounced judgment on the question. The Assembly resolved to meet at St Andrew's Chiireb, A nekland, at 111 a.m. oil Wednesday. November loth. 1922.