The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-12-21
The Free Church Commission
and Disestablishment

The Free Church Commission
and Establishment.
The Commission of the Assembly of the Free
Church of Scotland. which consists of the mem
bers of the last Assembly sitting In the interval
for the transaction of important business. has
taken an important step in reference to the
question OF disestablshment of the Church of
Scotland. In 1874 an act was passed which
abolished lay patronage in the Church of Scot
land, practice which had furnished the princi-
pal grievance of those who withdrew in 1843 to
found the Free Church and against which the
Free Church had never failed to bear testimony.
Many regarded lay patronage as the only OBJ
stacle to the return of the Free Church to the
State Church, and when it was abolished it was
expected that there would, at least in the High
lands be general movement out of the Free
Church into the old Kirk There was however
no break In the ranks of Free Churchmen. The
assertions have not been numerous enough to
create much alarm, though at one time DR.. Bese
was suspected OF an intention of leading out a
company For several reasons, which we do
not here stop to explain Principal Rainy has
deemed it wise to take new and holder ground
on the question of disestablishment Heretofore.
though the Free Church has spoken yearly on
the evils of a State Church. it has waged no
objection embraced the Church of England as
well as the Church of Scotland At private
conference, which was attended by a large
number of Free Churchmen, in Edinburgh be-
fore the meeting of the Commission, the general
opinion was favorable to taking step in adj
vance, though DR.. Begg stood up to oppose it.
When the Commission met, Principal RAINY
brought forward the matter in series of resoln
tions, which had been adopted by the Committee
on Church and State, and supported them The
resolutions were as follows:
l. That this Church has repeatedly and in
various forms protested against the wrong done y
through the maintenance by the state of the
existing ecclesiastical arrangements in Scotland
which wrong continues and increases
z. That the time has come when this cues
tons should be pressed home on the community
and IN Parliament, with view to an early and
decisive settlement.
3. That this committee resolve, without de-
lay, to press, IN the name of the Church. on
Her Majesty's Government the Importance and
urgency of this question:
Alter DIR. Rainy had concluded long address
n which he said little to the point, DR.. Adam
moved the following resolution:
;, The Commission, having heard the report of
the Committee on the Connection between
Church and State, resolve in accordance there
with, that the time has now come when the
questions of the maintenance of that connection.
as 1T exists In Scotland, must be taken up and
dealt with as one demanding an early and
decisive settlement"
1Io Sd'ui III support OF his motion, that for
me- years the Kirk, weakened by the dlsrup-
ton was, comparatively submissive in its
tone and action :" but in recent years there had
been great change in this respect The Kirk
had become antagonistic and aggressive. at
was a notorious fact that, in endeavoring 10
overtake the destitute population, the outcast
masses, the Free Church could scarcely initiate
any movement, however pure in intention and
however much required by the necessities of
the case, without being met by an opposition of
the most formidable and the most uniustifable
description. Besides, there was an influence
being exerted steadily throughout the country
oy landlords and others, which could have no
OBJECT but to weaken and in some cases almost
tn exinguish the Free Church in certain parts of
the country. 1t was notorious that attempts
were being made which seemed to have no other
design than to bring about the extinction of strup
Cling congregations of the Free Church" This
state OF things was not to be tolerated. Ifthere
was to be State Church in Scotland, the Kirk
was the least fitted to represent Presbyterianism
notice of motion in Parliament for dsestab-
lishment had already been given by member.
on his own responsibility, and the Government
would probably be induced to indicate its posi-
ton IN the discussion. The present was there
FORE favorable time for the proposed action.
DR.. Begg said in substance that he could not
yet see his way clear to demand dsestablish-
ment. When the vote was taken it was found
that l25 had voted for the resolution and 20
against it.
A correspondent of the Nonconformist says in
regard to the coming campaign
- That there will be stiff struggle is certain.
The Establishment is well aware that its dav of
trial its approaching and it is comprising heav-
en- and earth to make proselytes This. indeed
forms the gravamen of one Of the charges which
are now brought against it. All sorts of cam
wasting are resorted to-such as giving indis-
invitations to the communion table
and in the rural districts. where the voice If
public opinion is not heard, pressure of every
kind IS brought TO bear upon the members of
Nonconformist churches. The thing is becom
ing intolerable and must end either in the
absorption Of all the sects in one comprehensive
or in the separation of Church and
State. - Independent.
I'll D.. AIa..--