PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19163, 21 November 1927, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. The Presbyterian General Assembly continued its business on Saturday morning, the Moderator, the Rev. James Aitken, presiding over a large att-endnnce. The report of the Board of Education which was presented by the Rev. \V. R. Hutchison (Rangiora), stated that the General Assembly of 1926 transferred tw a Christcihurch committee the oversight of the colleges of the Church. The aim of the Board of PZducation had been to establish friendly relations with each of the College Boards of Governors, and to further their interests in every possible way. A proposal to hold a conference of College Board representatives and College principals was found to be impracticable at present. Questions remitted to the Board from the colleges were being carefully considered, e.g., .superannuation for teachers, exemption from taxation. Bible instruction. The Board regarded the matter of suitable provision for Bible instruction as most important in Church schools, and was suggesting a graded Bible reader for daily use, and a Young People's Text Book for a weekly Bible Class. The Board noted with much interest that the colleges were seeking to preserve the traditions and to fulfil the aim of the Church of its fathers in providing a sound education based on Biblical instruction. One report said: ''The aim of the College is to give an education permeated with Christian influences," and another remarks: "Unsparing effort is made to inspire the girls with high ideals of character and service''; while a third declares: "Our endeavour is to develop a full Christian manhood." Hie Board believes that the Church has good reason to be proud of her colleges. Although established only within the last 15 years, they were growing in influence for good in the young life of the nation year by year. The Board earnestly asked for the sympathetic interest of the people of the Church towards their own colleges. The Board had pleasure in presenting reports from the following colleges: St. C'uthbert's, lona, Solway, Scots, Queen Margaret's. St. Andrew's, Columba, and John McGlashan. In some cases the reports were abridged owing to the need for economy in space It would be noted with satisfaction that each of the colleges for boys reported an increase in the numbers of boarders. The Board's attention had been drawn to the alleged seeking of. new pupils by a college in territory adjacent to a sister college. Should such be the case the Board would strongly deprecate any such action by any college." The report was adopted. Finance. The report of the Su&tentation Fund Committee and the treasurer's statement were adopted. The Rev. 1,. Hunt (Auckland) suggested that a stewardship campaign should be instituted during the coming year. He was satisfied that the collection of money should be the work of the laymen and not of the Minister. The Rev. W. J. Comrie said that he would look into the question. The motion was carried. The Rev. R. D. McEwan (Mataura) moved that the' Assembly be recommended to include a comprehensive insurance scheme for ministers' motorcars in the insurance scheme. Insurance. ' The Fire Insurance Fund report, | which was adopted, stated . that at August 18th,' 1927, insurances were in force amounting to £765,813, an increase of £51,386 for the year. There had been no'fire loss during'the year, but the settlement of the loss on the organ at St. David's Church, Auckland, was completed by a payment of £245 12s, .of which £196 9s 7d was covered by insurance, the net loss to the fund being £49 2s sd. The New Century Fund report, which was adopted, stated that loans had been granted to Blackball (£150), Silverstream (£200), Fitzroy (£100), Westown (£100), Putaruru (£200), Arundel (£150), and Carew (£200). Total, £llOO. Grants had been made to Collingwood (£l4), Fitzroy (£10) Vogeltown (£10), and Westown (£10). Total, £44. A loan of £IOO had been granted to Wadestown from money advanced by the Fire Insurance Fund. The report was adopted. The Rev. J). C. Herron was appointed as delegate to the Church of Scotland Assembly, at Edinburgh, in May.