NO SOCIAL LIFE

Evening Star, Issue 19784, 7 February 1928, Page 7

NO SOCIAL LIFE

2N DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY . MORE FUNCTIONS SUGGESTED In the life of the Dunedin Presbytery there is a striking absence of sociability, according to the immediate past Moderator, the Rev. David Campbell, of West Taieri, and at to-day’s meeting ho urged that appropriate social functions should bo held on special occasions. The Presbytery agreed with his suggestion. The Rev. David Campbell said he had been struck with the absence of social life in the Dunedin Presbytery. From his experience in the Presbyteries of Oamaru, Mataura, and Wanganui he felt that something was lacking in the Dunedin body. This was particularly noticeable to those who lived in the outside districts, as those in the centres had opportunity of meeting from time to time. To explain his reasons Mr Campbell said that they had felt honored when the Rev. Hector Mac Lean had accepted a professorship at Ormond Theological College, Melbourne, yet no social gathering in the name of the Presbytery had been held to recognise the honor and wish him God-speed. There were also occasions when ministers celebrated the jubilee of their ordinations, yet, no functions were arranged by Presbytery. They should meet socially and enjoy each others’ fellowship on every possible occasion.

The Rev. M. Dutton said he was always in favor of the social side. However, he had celebrated his jubilee unnoticed; which, however, was perhaps better, as it gave him an opportunity of cherishing his youthful illusions.

The Clerk (Rev. John Kilpatrick) said that he was the only member of Presbytery to see Professor H. MacLean off to Australia. Mr Campbell was Moderator at that time, yet ho had made no suggestion that a farewell social could be given. Mr Kilpatrick said a similar proposal had been discussed, but as two-thirds of the members were away from Dunedin it. was considered that no social would be preferable to a poor event. The Moderator (Dr Herrington) said they were all at one in thinking that the social side of Presbytery could be attended to more. In a short time the eightieth anniversary of the arrival of the first Presbyterians in Dunedin would be celebrated, and that would be a fitting jubilee for a social function organised by the Presbytery. “Me should endeavor to create and foster more of that spirit of sociability among members,’’ Dr Herrington stated. The suggestion was unanimously adopted, and Presbytery decided to refer the question of celebrating the anniversary of the arrival of the first Presbyterians to the Public Questions Committee.