by Henry VIII or Elizabeth. It was merely regulated. It existed before that time. The regulation of the Church in England by Law, and all that is meant by State authority in directing its affairs, is now found to be inoperative in a Colony like New Zealand. We must needs regulate ourselves.
This is our actual position: we do regulate ourselves. But if ever there occurs any need of, say, a revision of the Prayerbook, there are the terms of our Constitution in the way. If, then, we proceed in General Synod, with all due deliberation, to bring our Constitution into accordance with the facts of our position, we should not be doing what the Free Kirk did. We should but assert in express terms our necessary liberty of action, with all its responsibility, when occasion arises to use it.
But to avoid all possible risk to Trust property, there should be no difficulty in obtaining an enabling Act of our Legislature to sanction, so far, our alteration in the terms of what may be called our Articles of Association.
I use this expression on purpose. The Church in New Zealand has never been established by Law. Like any other religious body, it is a voluntary association of persons, associated for the purpose of maintaining and giving effect to its religious faith and practice. The State has no hold on any such body, except in the matter of its use of trust funds. Should any misuse of them be alleged, then Cæsar's authority steps in. But in all matters spiritual the State has no say. Should it seem fit to any such body to revise or amend its standards of doctrine, it is surely within its own province and right to do so. If this were denied, then the Church in New Zealand, designated
