PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 131, 27 February 1919, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

CONCLUDING SITTINGS. Br Telcftrath—Press Assocf&tlon. Christchurch, February 26. At the Presbyterian General Assembly to-day the Statistics Committee reported that there were 138,558 persons under paetoral care in the eighteen Presbyteries •in the Dominion, an increase of GSO during the year. The stipends of ministers and home missionaries represented £79,717, an increase during the year of iCI7«. The following motions were carried:— "The Assembly expresses its appreciation of the arrangement for co-operation with other churches in social service work, and commends to the various committees the desirableness of extending such co-operation. t It recommends our collego boards to give earnest and sympathetic consideration to the feasibility of similar 00-operatiqn, and instructs the Theological Committee to consider the question of co-operation, and if deemed Advisable to confer with the authorities of other churches." '

"That the Assembly heartily reciprocates the kindly greetings of the Baptist Union, but regrets that in tho face of existing circumstances the Assembly is unable to consider the question of union with other religious communities than those already named in this connection, and hopes at eomo future day tho way may open into a union of all evangelical denominations."

The following telegram was read from the Rev. A. T. Thomson, ngent of tbe British and Foreign Bible Society:— "Could not the Assembly commend the Government decision not to restore Sunday trains?" It was moved that the Assembly rejoiced to support the Government in its solicitude for the welfare of tho railway' Employees, and its desire to confirm to the people the blessings of the Day of Rest. The motion was carried unanimously.

The. AVanganui and Dunedin Presbyteries submitted an overture asking the Assembly strongly to recommend that sessions should be urged to discontinue the use of fermented wine at the Communion service. It was decided to recommend sessions to use unfermentod wine.

Lieutenant-Colonel Co3Sgrove, Chief Commander of the Dominion Scouts, wrote bringing under the notice of tho Assembly the value, of the Boy Scout movement as an adjunct to church work. The Assembly decided to bring the movement under the notice of ministers, Sab'bath school superintendents and leaders of Bible classes.

A lengthy letter was Tead from the National Peace Council on the subject of the treatment of conscientious objectors. The clerk (the Rev. G. H. Mackenzie), in moving that the letter be received, said: "The man who would not fight for this country would not fight for any country, and I don't see why he should want to stay in this country." It was decided to 'receive the letter. After r.donting an address expressing the Assembly's loyalty, the proceedings of the Assembly finally closed.