PEESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2459, 22 February 1882, Page 3

PEESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Tubsday, Fbbbuaby 21. EVENING SITTING. The Assembly resumed at 7 o'clock. The report on Sabbath schools was read by tho Rev. A. Elake. It stated new schools had been slatted in several localities, that the number of. teachers and scholars had increased, but regretted that considerable laxity had been shown in some schools not furnishing returns. Great stress was laid on the work to ba done by this branch of the Church in providing religious instruction, owing to the practical exclusion of the Bible. The Bev. A. MoOallum then presented the report of the committee on intemperance, and after speaking to the subject, moved that the report be adopted, and that the desirability of forming temperance societies and bands of hope in connection with tho various congregations be impressed npon the minister!) and various office-bearers of the Church. After confirmatory remarks by several members of the Assembly, the resolution was agreed to. It was resolved, on the motion of tho Bev. W. McAra —“ That the members of the Presbytery of Christchurch be appointed a committee to watch over the vital matters comprehended under the term 'State of Religion,’ and that the convenor (Bev. J. Elmslie) ba authorised to issue a circular obtaining useful information for a report to next Assembly.” It was agreed, on the motion of the Bev. J. Shorriff —“ That the Revs, the Moderator, T. B. Cairns, and Mr A. Scott, older, be appointed a deputation to the next meeting of the Synod of Otago.” On the motion of the Bev. J. Sherriff, seconded by tho Bev. T. R. Cairns, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to tho Ministry for tho use of the Provincial Council Chamber for the meeting of the Assembly. A vote of thanks was likewise passed, on tho motion of the Bev. A. M. McCollum, seconded by Bev. W. West, to those members of the Church and ethers who had entertained the members of the Assembly during its meeting in Christchurch. A committee was appointed to arrange for printing the minutes of Assembly. The thanks of the Assembly were passed to the Press for repotting its proceedings. It was agreed that the next meeting of Assembly he held in Auckland on the third Tuesday in February, 1883. The Moderator then briily addressed the Assembly, after which he declared the Assembly dissolved, and pronounced tho benediction,