PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1924, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

CHURCH API’OIXTMENTS

HALMF.USTOX X., Nov. 1-1. Members of the l’re.sbyteriaii-Geh-eral Assembly took notice this morning when, the l!ev. C. Herron (St. David’s Auckland) presented the report of the Supply and Apiiointnients Committee as follows: — The |i,st year of the new committee had not been an easy one. II had taken the Presbyteries and interim moderators time to realise the changed mode of procedure. The greatest dillieiilty had lain in the fact that there was no definitely recognised minimum stipend for charges north of the Vaitaki. Unless tll Assembly was prepared to name a minimum over the whole chill( >, l( work of the eommiltee could not _ be carried out effectively. At present there was no means of preventing a congregation from offering it lower stipend without asking aid from the Augmentation Fund in order to retain the right of call. The committee had decided not to attempt to function south of the \\ attaki until the Assembly had given some ruling on the question. In Otago ami Southland the e(|uai devidend stood at £’27-'i. As a congregation in this area, raising £’27o. would he aid-receiving, and therefore deprived of the right ol call, while it congregation in the northern section of the church, ofletiug £•’7:). might he classed its sell-support-ing and ret;iin the right, it was ohvously unfair for the eonimitlee without further direction ol act in the southern section. The committee was of apinion that it would he hotter if it were empowered, alter consulting the I’rcshvtery concerned, to make the appointment in terms ol Regulation I. the appointment to bo confirmed by the Assembly. The present arrangement did not tend to attract a man to leave a regular charge for an appointment under the committee, as he had no surety of tenure beyond the next meeting of the Assembly. The activities of tin* committee had been somewhat hampered in that it bad no funds at its disposal to help to pay removal expenses when attempting to secure a suitable minister lor a struggling charge. Notwithstanding the difficulties, some progress had been made. Three ministers seeking new spheres had been helped to that end. and three temporary appointments had been made to aid receiving charges. Several charges previously receiving aid had retained their privilege of the right of call by putting forth a little extra effort and becoming self-sustain-

ing. 111 the interests of the sell-respect of the .Ministry. Mr Herron besought the Assembly not to give countenance to a system of preaching competitions for Idling vacancies. Assembly would ho told that continuance of the committee's present powers was a violation of Presbyterian principles. The glory of their’ church government was that it. was not siillieiently rigid to crush the life of the church. It could he adapted to new eircuinstanees. No oip* would accuse John Knox ot violating Presbyterian principles. vet in his day the’church had a number of superintendents who made the appoint incuts of ministers. The value practice was followed hv the Home Missions Committee, and there was no difliculty there. Air Herron maintained that grants from the Sustontation Fund ought to he looked upon as a temporary tiling until a charge got on to its leet. The result of the got ting up of the committee had been that during the year several charges, which had been resting upon the funds of the church lor Years, in order to avoid coming under his eommiltee. hud made the necessary v I fort and become self-sustaining, i The Lev. A. H. Kilrov (It ieearton). I and the Kev. T. 11. Hosevear (Papaloc- ! Lee) were heard in support of overtures j from the ('lll isli'hurch and Auckland 1 presbyteries, limiting the functions of , t lie commit tee.

It was agreed to .-end the suggested altered regulations, together with the overtures, down to the Unifying Committee to report to the next Assembly. Tin* following recommeinlatioiis were adopted: To appoint Itev. .1. D. McFnrhuie to Olorohanga for three years. I'ev. K. Bishop to llowick for four years, and Itev. A. F. Sutherland to Hau.'it ikei for three M ars.