Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1877 edition. Excerpt: ... PREFACE. The facts contained in the following History have been drawn from the records of the Presbyterian Churches in the home country, from the records of the Presbyterian Churches in the Australian Colonies, from the information of intelligent gentlemen acquainted with the early history of Australia Felix, and from the personal observation of the writer, extending over a period of twenty-two years during which he was a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. In handling the questions of the disruption of the Synod of Australia, and the union of the Presbyterian Churches in Victoria, the writer has given the arguments of the various speakers as nearly as possible in their own words; and he has in some cases reiterated these arguments, in order that the subjects might be the better apprehended by the majority of his readers. The negotiations for the union of the Presbyterian Churches in Victoria extended over a period of five years, and it was found impossible to adjust the distinctive principles of the Churches in any satisfactory manner. At length it was resolved to leave these distinctive principles as open questions, especially as they were inapplicable to the circumstances of the colony, and to establish the United Church on the fundamental principles of Presbyterianism, on which all the Churches were agreed. The writer has to tender his acknowledgments to J. Winter Jones, Esq., Principal Librarian of the British Museum, for facilities in consulting the newspapers of Sydney and Melbourne, filed in the valuable library of that institution; to Charles Finch, Esq., Principal Secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, for extracts kindly furnished to him from the records of that important Society; to Alexande
