The Daily News WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1901. PRESBYTERIAN UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 255, 30 October 1901, Page 2

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1901. PRESBYTERIAN UNION.

A short time back we remarked that the present year promised to be a memorable one in the history of several of the churches, Msntion was made o f the great federation of several churches in Australia, where the churches of the various States in the Federation have united; also of the coming jubilee of the Baptist Church of New Zealand which will be celebrated next month at Nelson. To-day at Dunedin, the great Presbyterian centre of New Zealand, an event will take place of the greatest interest—an event which many of the Fathers of the Church have longed for, worked foi, and prayed for. We refer to the union of the Free Presbyterian Church of New Zsaland with the Free Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland. It is a matter of history that the settlement of Otago was by Presbyterians from Scotland, just as Canterbury was by Anglicans from England. The Presbyterian Church established in OSago in 1847 has always been a prosperous church, and was fortunately richly endowed by the promoters of the settlement. In the northern portion of the colony the Presbyterian Church has mainly bean supported by the voluntary contributions of its members. After some years an effort was made to unite the various branches of Presbyterianism into one united church and with the exception of the Presbytery of Otago and Southland this was successful. Tne first meeting of delegates constituting the first general assembly of the Presbyterian Chutch of New Zealand W3s held in Auckland in Novembar 1862, but the church did not receive legislative sanction till the 21st September, 1878, when tin Act was passed which stated that the " Presbyterian Church now existing within the provinces aforesaid shall henceforth be known as The Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.'" This did not include the Presbyterian Churches in Otago and Southland which, although represented at the aforesaid Auckland Assembly, bad remained an independent body. The reasons for this it is not necessary ♦o go into here. It is sufficient to know that the difficulties which have hitherto kept the two churches apart have at last been removed, and to-day will witness the union consummated. All over the colony the greatest interest is being taken in the proceedings, and Taranaki is represented by six members of its Presbytery, while representatives of the Sco'ch, English, American and Australian Presbyterian Churches are expected to be present. Altogether it promises to be quite an historic gathering in the annuls of Presbyterianism. The Synod of Otago and the Northern Assembly will hold their l<st session as s?parate bidies early this (Wednesday) evening. The Synod will meet in the First Church, and the General Assembly in the Knox Churoh. In both Synod and Assembly the Union Committees will submit tfceir final reports, and then the Uniting Act will be adopted. The Synod will then proceed to the Agricultural Hall where it will be joined by the Assembly, both bodies being formally constituted by its Moderator for the last time. The Rev. Wm. Will then proposes the adoption of the Uniting •4ct by tjie two Church Courts now sitting side by side. The motion will be adopted by the brethren ruing and holding up the right hand. Tht-n the old familiar Psalm beginning, " {{ahold how good a thing it is, and how becoming well, together such as brethren are in unity to dwell," will be sung, and after this the United Assembly will ba Constituted by prayer. The Rev. James Gibb. of Dunedin, is to be duly installed as the first Moderator, and will give the usual address. The proceedings during the remainder of the session promise to be of an interesting character. The influence of the Presbyterian Church is shown by the fact that the latest returns to hand give the number of Presbyterians in the colony at over 170,000, whilst in churches and other buildings an enormous sum of money is sunk. As a means of increasing the power of thjs church in promoting the moral wellb.eing of the colony, everyone will rejoice at the IJnion to be consummated to-diy.