PRESBYTERIAN BOOK OF ORDER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9167, 10 June 1908, Page 8

PRESBYTERIAN BOOK OF ORDER.

an important amendment,

Per Press Association. Wellington, June 0. The Wellington Presbytery this morning considered a remit from the General Assembly that the Book of Order bo amended by deleting the word “baptised” before “non--communicant members. ’ ’ v ‘The effect of this would bo that members of the congregations of Presbyterian churches who had not been baptised would be put on the roll of noucomraauicating members. TJ ie Rev. W. Douglas (Kilbiruie) said lie knew of a family of six in his congregation who had not been baptised. Their parents had lived for some years in the back blocks and the children had now grown np and did not like to be baptised. They would' naturally come in as adherents to "il ' Church. He did not know whe-ber the church would derive much support from the admission to the non-commnnicants roll of unhaptised persons, if they dropiied in a penny or a threepenny piece. Mr Ralph (Pahiatua) asked if the baptised desiring admission had to bo baptised in the Presbyterian Church or any church? The Clerk of Session (Rev. W. Shirer): Any clmrch. As for the ’support of the church, I fearsome of our full members drop a threepenny bit into the plate. Rev. W. Marshall (Hutt) moved, “That the word “baptised” in paragraph 18, sec 1., chap. 11. of the Book of Order bo deleted.” This made the paragraph to read to the effect that persons above 18 years ot age who unite statedly in the worship of the congregation, and contribute to its support by applying to the session, may be received as noncommunicant members. This was carried.