PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1924, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

YKSTKRDAY\S SESSfON.

PALMERSTON N., Nov, i 7. i At the Presbyterian Assembly two local addresses were presented for confirmation, 'l’lie first was a farewell address to Viscount Jcllieucj and the second ail address of welcome to 1 1 is .successor in the A’ice-Begid office, Sir Charles Fergitsson.

The address to lie presented to the retiring Governor-General reads;—On the occasion of your demission of office we, the representative ministers and elders of the Presbyterian Church. convened in General Assembly at Palmerston North, join with our followcitizens in the Dominion in savin" farewell to you, to Viscountess .Tcllicoc and family. We desire to assure your Excel',bincy tlilitl your personal and family life amongst us won the respect and affection of the people, and your official life and work have deepened our attachment to the (Motherland and strengthened our loyalty to the Throne, which you have so worthily represented. And wo trust that iy the blessing of God. the future liohP for you many further years of distinguished service to the Empire and of happy family life. Your name wili always he followed hv us. and those we represent, with interest find sincere good wishes.

| The second address to the new Gov-ernor-General leads:—We. the representative ministers and elders <>f the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, convened in General A'-seinbly at Palmerston North, humbly present to you as the representative of the King. renewed assurances of our loyalty to the Throne, and person of King George, m whose life and services to his people the Empire owes an incalculable debt. We offer to you personally, ns Gover-nor-General of the Dominion, and to her Excellency and all tlio members of your family a. very cordial welcome to New Zealand, and assure your Excellency that our knowledge of your past distinguished services to the Empire makes us .look forward with great confidence to your term of office here. As Presbyterians also we welcome you as an elder of the Church in Scotland, which we often respect fully iefer to as the Mother Church. We irusl that her Excellency will find great happiness in reviving memories of her girlhood in our country, and that further residence here will strengthen the bonds between iis. I Both the addresses were read by Biofessor Pewit,son, convenor ol the Public Questions Committee, lie moved that they he adopted, and that the 1 f|iiestion of their presentation be left to the Moderator to arrange.

TJiis was unanimously agreed to. the whole Assembly rising and singing the National Anlhein.

I 'Plie next Assembly will meet a! Dunedin in 102".

After Mr Walter Gow’s report or, the Otago Snslenatp-n Fund had been adopted, the Bcv. W. J. Coinrie (General Treasurer) brought down a report from the Sustciiatioii Fund Special Committee, together with amended regulations. Several ministers had at ready spoken rtf the inadequacy of the minimum stipcml of £’_'7o l.oforc the special report was presented, but although expressed in dear and mi - mistakable language, their protests Became mere whispers compared with the vigorous charge of the business head of the Church.

| The .Speaker said that both north and .-opt'i sti|cinls wore absolutely unworthy. The Bresh.vterian Church used lo lie in the forefront ill the laynient of its ministers, hut now il had drop; ed into third or fourth pl.-re. The ( hiireh iliil not seem to realise the position. Minihtei.s were paid £2OO-£23J lliirtv live years ago. Compared with the present day. a minister was then AO per cent, better oil on £2OO than on to-day's stipend. It was well that the.se things sl'onhl he said in the pro seme of elder-. W hile ministers were not free from care in respect of financial matters, the position would contillin' one of great difii: idty for the Church. It had been paid a hundred years before that a seaiiilahms stipend made *a seaiul.alolls ministry. While finance worried ministers, and they were kept closely (unsiileriiig pounds, shillings ami pence, they hail no heal t to plead for foieien or home missions. The report was adapted with' the amended regulations, and a committee was appointed to administer the fund. The principal amendments were to raise il)) to or towards £271 stipends of ministers receiving less from cha:ges and out of surplus, if any. to make a further division raising fill stipends up to £3OO. Every congregation was enjoined to contribute according to its ability.