PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5214, 7 December 1877, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Hew Zealand met, as announced, in St. John’s Church, Willis-street, last evening at 7.30. There was a numerous attendance, notwithstanding the boisterous state of the weather. The opening sermon was preached by the retiring Moderator, the Rev. James Paterson, who chose for his text John vii. 46. v. “Hover man spake like this man.” The rev. gentleman delivered a most eloquent discourse, which was listened to with the utmost attention throughout, the speaker dwelling upon the life and uttei’anoes of Christ, and setting him forth as a unique pattern and example to those whose office it was to preach the unsearchable riches of the Gospel. In dealing with this subject the preacher alluded to both the matter and manner of the Saviour’s teaching, as being so simple as to be understood by a child, and yet so profound as to engage the deepest thought of the most mature aud cultivated mind. He dwelt upon some of the characteristics of Christ’s teaching, on its clearness and simplicity, aud on its adaptibiiity to every class and condition of men. He referred also to its transparent sincerity and truthfulness, its opposition to the mere conventionalisms of the day, and to the perfect harmony and consistency that existed between the teaching of Christ and his character and life. He also touched on the subject matter of Christ's teaching, its bearing on the inner life of the soul, and of the soul’s relationship to God and destiny for eternity, and concluded by showing that the sum and substance of Christ’s teaching was himself, as the source of divine -light aud life to men. The ordinance of the Holy Communion was then celebrated, the members of the Assembly and Christian friends present sitting down together at the table of their common Lord. The scene was a very solemn and impressive one. Thereafter the Senior Clerk (the Rev. David Bruce) read the roll, aud the Moderator by prayer constituted the Assembly. He then said—Rather :.nd Brethren, —I have now to resign into your hands the honorable office to which you called me when you elected me Moderator of this venerable Assembly. In doing so I have to thank you for much kindness aud indulgence shown to me during my tenure of office. While lam deeply sensible of many imperfections aud shortcomings, I am also sensible of having tried to do my duty to the best of my ability, and your kindness has always been ready to excuse any deficiency. I cannot vacate this chair without making reference to the dispensation of God’s providence in, removing from amongst us by death my predecessor in this chair. I refer to the death of the Rev. Mr. McGowan, of Lyttelton. When we met at this time last year, in Auckland, he was then laid aside from duty, and his place had to be supplied by the ex-Mode-rator (J.W. McKinney) in preaching the opening sermon and constituting the Assembly. After a few mouths of severe suffering, borne with great patience aud Christian resignation, he was called to his rest. He had reached a ripe age, though but a few mouths before his last illness one would have thought that he had many years still of active service before him, he seemed so hale and vigorous. But the Divine Master had ordered otherwise. For many years he had labored faithfully in the ministry, both in Scotland and here in the colony, aud his work was done, and he has now entered into his rest, his reward, “ Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.” It now only devolves upon me, according to established usage, to nominate my successor, and for you to elect him if it be your pleasure to do so. I have pleasure in proposing for your election a gentleman who is well known in this Church, and especially in the Southern portion of it, as an able, earnest, faithful minister, and who is in every way worthy the highest honor we can confer upon him. I refer to the Rev. George Barclay, of Geraldine. Mr. Barclay has long and faithfully served in the ministry of the Church, and from his ability, knowledge, and experience, I am quite sure he "will do credit to_ himself and give ample satisfaction to you in maintaining the dignity and discharging the duties pertaining to this chair. I have much pleasure in nominating the Rev. George Barclay as my successor in the; honorable office of Moderator of this Assembly. The nomination of the Rev. George Barclay was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Ogg in complimentary terms, and unanimously agreed to. Mr. Barclay was introduced to the Assembly by Messrs. Bruce and Doull, and was welcomed by the retiring Moderator, in giving him the right hand of fellowship, said_: Mr. Barclay, I have much pleasure in intimating to you that by the unanimous voice of tliis Assembly you are called to occupy this Moderator’s chair. I cordially welcome you to it, aud trust that by God’s goodness you may have much satisfaction and enjoyment iu discharging the duties pertaining to it. Mr. Barclay then took the chair, and delivered an able and eloquent address. After thanking the Assembly for the honor conferred upon him, he announced as the subject of his address, the attitude which on various sides the Presbyterian Church iu this country and elsewhere should assume, the bearing which in various contacts aud relations she ought to maintain, the positions she ought to take up, the testimony utter, the services render, aud the truth defend. The address was a lengthy and a learned one, and it is impossible on account of the late hour at winch it was delivered to give even an outline of it. After appointing the usual business committees, and transacting other matters of routine, the Assembly adjourned, to meet this forenoon at 11 o’clock iu the Provincial Hall, the use of which the Rev. Mr. Paterson announced had been kindly granted for the accommodation of the Assembly by the Government.