PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 128, 24 February 1919, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

REV. J. A. ASHER APPOINTED MODERATOR. - By Telegraph—Press Association Christchurch, February 23. At the Presbyterian General Assembly to-day it was intimated that twelve presbyteries had nominated the Rev. J. A. Asher as Moderator for the ensuing year, and six presbyteries had nominated the Rev. Professor Hewitson. Professor Hewitson wrote intimating that he desired leave to retire from the election. Leave was granted. , The Rev W. J. Conine, in a review of the career of the Rev. J. A. Asher, said that for twenty years lie had been the Bishop of the Presbyterian Church in the Ikwk'e's Bay district. He haa stepped into tho shoes of that great and good man, Dr. Sidey, who held Mr. Asher in tho highest esteem.. No man was bettor fitted to propel ly fill the position of Moderator of the Church in New ZeaThe Moderator theu announced that the Rev. J. A. Asher had been unanimously designated Moderator-elect of the ' General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, and offered his 'congratulations to Mr. Asher on his election. , , .'.,,,.,' Replying, Mr. Asher said that he appreciated very highly the generosity of the Assembly in nominating him Moderator. For the sake of tho congregations of the churches he had been associated with he greatly rejoiced m the honour they had conferred on him. Though a native of New Zealand he had never associated himself, with the cry of New Zealand for the New Zealanders. Nevertheless he thought it was fitting at times that a New Zealander should be elevated to the position. The Home Missions report, presented by Dr Gibb, explained that the number of workers proposed (20 ministers and 20 home missionaries) would no more than fill the existing vacancies, even shouldi all the ministers and agents now on active service return. The deliverance of the Assembly on tho recommendation was that the scheme should be adopted and the Home Committee instructed to take the necessary stepß to give effect to it. Dr Gibb strongly urged thet the committee be empowered to appoint a minister or other person to act as Home Mission secretary. Dr. .Gibb asked, that the Assembly express thankfulness that a beginning had been made with the special fund, and instruct that a first place should be given this year to the effort to raise .£20,000, and the hope that Mr W H. Rose might see his way to undertake the collecting of the amount. Dr. Gibb said that about .£BOOO was in hand. _____■'