PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5218, 12 December 1877, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The Assembly met at 11 a.m. yesterday, the Very Rev. the Moderator in the chair. The minutes of yesterday’s proceedings were read and confirmed. A telegram from Christchurch was read by the Clerk, asking the permission of the Assembly for a meeting of the Presbytery of Christchurch on Friday.—-After discussion, it was agreed to grant the Assembly permission as requested. ' , ' The Rev. Mr. She'hrifps submitted the report of the committee on statistics and finance. It appeared : from the report , that four years ago the number of charges was forty-two, while this year it was’ sixty-four, being an increase of twenty-two charges in the course of four years, or 50 per cent The Eev. Mr. Paterson moved the adoption of the report, with the thanks of the Assembly to the committee, and especially the convener. The Church was very much indebted to the excellent convener, who had so much to do with the scheme, and who did it so admirably. This was seconded by the Eev. R. J. Allswobth, and agreed to. The report of the College Committee was submitted by the Eev. Mr. Ross, in the absence of both the conveners.

The Assembly agreed to consider the report with that on the training and employment of, student evangelists, which was given by the Rev. W. Sherriffs. , The curriculum of studies proposed by the committee was read, with 'a list of works on which students should ’be examined. Mr. SAereiffs proposed that this should be adopted as an interim arrangement, as there were parties in the Church to whom it might be applied at once. The Eev. Mr., Fraser seconded the adoption of the scheme. He believed there was much wisdom in the principle of this plan. It was adapted to our present exceptional circumstances in an admirable degree. The Rev. Mr. Treadwell, while agreeing that it might in the meantime be adopted and used as an interim scheme, moved that the report be sent down for the consideration of the Presbyteries, to be reported on at next Assembly. . . i ' - - . This proposal having been added to the motion, it was unanimously agreed to. After discussion of the whole subject of sudies to be prescribed for those preparing for the ministry, the Rev. Mr. Treadwell moved, and the Rev. Mr; Fraser seconded, and it was agreed to, that it be remitted to the College Committee to consider the whole question of our students and their studies, and especially the question ; whether the curriculum fixed in 1874 for ordinary students be not,Jin the circumstances of the Church, too high, and if it be, to consider also wherein it might be modified, and to report.

The Clerk then read the overture in scholarships from the Kirk Session at Marlborough. ; The Rev. Mr. Sherripfs spoke on the subject. He thought that there could not beany difference of, opinion in this matter. It may not be necessary at once to take active steps in this direction further than the appointment of a special committee to consider what steps should be taken to carry this out. He moved accordingly. The Bev. Mr. Ross seconded the motion, and spoke in support of it. It might be used with considerable advantage in raising a native ministry for our Church. The Bev. Mr. Bruce also spoke in favor of the proposal. He expressed the hope that the committee would not allow the work to lie on. the pages of the minute-book, but would really set to work, and especially try to raise a fund to which the scheme might be immediately entered upon. It was suggested that the clerk of Assembly be requested to keep this subject in view in the course of his labors throughout the country. The report of the comniittee on Assembly papers was read by the Bov. Mr. SomervilleThe papers the committee propose to be read should be:—l. Our Church—its necessities, and how to meet them. 2. Confessions their authority and use, 3. The Gospel ministry—its place, and its power. 4. Materialism its more recent aspects These papers are allotted as follows: —The first to Rev. Jaa. Hill, Lyttelton ; the second to Rev. R. Somerville, of Whau ; the third to Rev, Robert Eraser, of Waipukurau ; and the fourth to Rev. James Treadwell, of Wanganui. The papers to occupy. not more than half an hour in delivery. It was: moved by the Rev. Mr. Paterson, and seconded by the Rev. Mr.,Ross, that the report be adopted, which was agreed to. ' - ' The Assembly next considered the state of religion and morals, when the Rev. Mr. McKee spoke on the subject, and urged the importance of preaching on some Sabbath on the duty of Sabbath observance. '

The Rev. Mr. Leaser referred to the amount of Sabbath desecration, and especially to the practice of travelling some few miles Trom home, in order to be qualified as travellers, to indulge in the public-house. He thought they must do something in addition to the preaching of a sermon on Sabbath observance. They ought to have some address bn the, subject printed for circulation among their Sabbath* schools. ' The Rev. Mr., Treadwell believed that the way to cure this evil was by carrying the Gospel to the homes of the people, and that this was to be done by Evangelistic effort—a house-to-house visitation—and that they should just keep pegging, away until they succeeded. Mr. MoAedle referred to how much good might be done in remote districts by the efforts of laymen, and if ministers impressed this duty on their elders and congregations a great deal might be achieved in this direction. The Rev. Mr. Ross felt that the time of the Assembly did not allow members to ente» into the discussion of this subject as they might be inclined to do. How much might be* done on a Sabbath afternoon in visiting the houses of non-ehurch goers, and inducing them to attend public worship in the evening. He thought something useful might be said on this subject in the pastoral address which the Assembly had resolved to issue. Hr. McLean also referred to the amount of Sabbath desecration, even at the wharf, where steamers and ■ vessels belonging to Christian men are occupied in loading and unloading on this day. He thought this evil was quite as great in town as in the country. It was agreed to instruct the committee appointed for the purpose of the pastoral address should make a special reference to the Sabbath observance.

The Rev. Mr. Bruce referred, in connection with this subject, to the expected visit to this colony of the Rev. Dr. Sommerville. He did not know what were the principles by which Sommerville arranged his course, but he felt sure that with that gentleman’s object they all had the fullest sympathy. The Rev. Mr. Somerville, of Whan, stated that intelligence had been received from DrSommerville that he expected to be in Auckland early in January, and he thought the Assembly should express its gratification at the prospect of this visit.—Agreed. The Rev. Mr. Hill read the report on education as follows :

“ As is known to the members of the Assembly, there was introduced by the House of Representatives (luring its last session an Education Bill in which provision was made for repeating the Lord’s Prayer, and reading a portion of the Scriptures at the opening of the school every day. Prom the conversation on the subject of education which took place at the meeting of the Assembly in Auckland, your committee was satisfied that that proposal in regard to the religious was in accordance with the opinion of the majority of the ministers of our Church, and therefore it did not deem it necessary to commence an agitation on the subject in the Church. The opinion that such an agitation was not needed was confirmed by the fact that in several important centres the ministers of the Church were taking part at meetings in favor of the Bill, and that it was the general impression that in regard to that provision the Bill was certain to pass. On the Bill being considered in committee, however, this clause was struck out, and the Bill was moulded according to a purely : secular system. On the Bill being discussed in the Upper House, a clause was inserted in favor of giving aid to schools, irrespective of the nature of the religious instruction imparted. This attempt, at the eleventh hour, to introduce denominationalism into the educational system, of New Zealand your committee viewed with regret and concern. Had there been time, the committee would have suggested to the members of the Church a movement against such a proposal—a suggestion which the committee are sensible would have met with a hearty response ; but this was impossible. Nor, as it turned out in the end, was it needed. On account of the, proposal being declared an appropriation, and therefore not within the power of the Upper House, the clause was struck out. As this Church from first to last has given no uncertain sound in its disapproval of denominationalism in a great system of education, your committee are satisfied that the defeat of this attempt to secure it will give universal satisfaction to the Church, Looking, then, at the fact that a purely secular system of education is now law in New Zealand, the committee deem it not out of place to say that the Church must seek to realise more fully than ever the necessity of having, as a Church, complete machinery for the religious training of the young, and of carrying it it on earnestly and,, zealously. _ Whatever diversity of opinion may prevail regard to the duty of Governments, on one thing we are all agreed : that Bible knowledge is an essential element in the training of the young, and that this.is one of the most important parts of the work of the Christian Church in spreading the Gospel of Christ; and your committee believe that the exclusion' of this element from the system which has now become law should bring the Church to feel more strongly than ever its responsibility in this matter,- —to perfect the means already in operation, or to adopt others, and carry them on with a zeal and energy worthy of the greatness of the object to be attained. Of course the Sabbath school must continue to be the great sphere in which the Church must put forth her efforts. But there are clauses in the Education Bill which may be turned to good account, to which your committee would direct the attention of the Assembly. It is provided that committees have power to grant the use of school buildings after school hours. The purposes for which this may be done are not defined ; but most certain it, is that the imparting of religious instruction to the young, without interference with any, will be recognised by all committees in New' Zealand as a purpose most proper for which school buildings may be given. And although ministers may not be liable on account of their other duties to avail themselves of this opportunity, many may be in a position to do so without much inconvenience. In this way the object of imparting religious instruction to the young may be more effectively accomplished than would have been had the clause for the reading of the Bible been retained in the Bill; for although the Bible is always able to speak for itself, and may without comment reach the heart and produce a saving change there, yet the necessity of a system of explaining and catechising on religious doctrine is universally acknowledged. In concluding, your committee express the conviction that by the earnest and persevering employment of all possible means for the religious training of the young, the Church will not only perform her solemn duty in the matter, but will follow the best course of removing all arguments for the introduction of a denominational element into the educational system of New Zealand at any future period.”

The Rev. J. Dodll moved the adoption of the report. He believed the duty of the Church was clear in watching over this 'measure in its legislative history. It was a matter for congratulation that the attempt to obtain a denominational system had not succeeded. He confessed that he did not like a secular system, and that if we could obtain to our satisfaction a measure of religious instruction in this Bill he would have preferred it. When, however, we had to choose between a denominational and a secular system, he thought that of the two evils the secular was the less. On this ground he had much pleasure in moving the adoption of the report. This was seconded by Mr. Fraser (elder), and agreed to. The report on Sabbath schools was given in by the Rev. Mr. Somerville, who also moved its adoption, which was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Ross, and agreed to. The report of the committee on statistics, &0., was read by the Rev. Mr. Somerville, and adopted. The Assembly then adjourned to meet again the evening. Shortly after three o’clock the members of the Assembly s > b down to an excellent dinner at the Empire Hotel. The Assembly met at 7 p.m., the Very Rev. the Moderator in the chair.

After some routine business, the subject of a suatentation fund was considered. Various returns from Presbyteries had been sent up in answer to a remit from last Assembly. They were read by the convener, the Eev. Mr.. Somerville, who also submitted the report of the committee on the subject, and concluded by moving that the house resolve itself into a committee to consider' the report. Tiiis was seconded,and agreed to. After the house had resumed, it was moved, seconded, and agreed to, that the report be adopted, and passed into a law of the Church. The Rev. Mr. Allswobth moved that the scheme be exempt for three years from the tax of per cent, to which the other schemes are liable. '

It was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Sherriffs, but was ultimately, with consent of the Assembly, withdrawn. The following is the report:—

“1. There shall be, a sustentation fund in connection with the Church, to which all the congregations will be required to contribute, and out of which a dividend will be paid, as hereinafter provided. “ 2. Each congregation shall have an organisation of collectors, whose duty it shall be to collect subscriptions to the sustentation fund by such periodical visitations of all the members and adherents as may be agreed upon. “3. There shall be a general sustentation fund committee, towhioh each Presbytery shall appoint two members—one clerical and one lay; and there shall shall be an executive committee, consisting of seven members appointed by the General Assembly, all of whom shall be residents in or near Wellington, and three at least of whom shall be ministers ; four to form a quorum. “4. The Church shall aim at a minimum dividend of £‘2so per annum, payable in quarterly instalments.

“5. Each congregation contributing £250 or under to the fund shall receive not less than the amount which has been paid in. 11 6. No congregation contributing less than £250 per annum to the fund shall be at liberty to supplement its ministers’ stipend. “ 7., No congregation contributing less than £2OO per annum shall bo admitted to the benefits of the fund unless by the authority of the General Assembly, and on the recommendation of the Presbytery of the bounds. “ 8. The Presbytery oftheboundsshall, under instructions from the executive of the sustentation fund committee, and in consultation with the office-bearers of each congregation, determine the least amount each oongregat:on shall be expected to contribute to the fund; and whatever sum any aid-receiving congregation gives less than the determined amount shall be deducted from the aid it would otherwise receive.

“9. Congregations which give a stipend of £250 or more, and which desire to pay their ministers in a direct form, may, by sending vouchers for the actual payment of a stipend of £250, receive credit with the fund for that amount of stipend, as well as for the contributions which they remit. “ 10. The general committee shall meet at least once every year, but the executive committee shall meet once every quarter to arrange for the distribution of the funds, or as often as the business requires.” It being now past lo o’clock, the Assembly adjourned, to meet next day at 10 a.m., when the proceedings of the Assembly will close.