PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1925, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS QUESTION, iiv.'iia.wiit.u’ii—mat muss association.] DUNEDIN. Nov. 12. The Presbyterian Assembly continues its sessions this morning and evening. On the rccoumiciida t ion of the Finance Commit lee it was decided tel take out a policy of £10.(110 protecting the whole Church against common law claims by voluntary workers and worshippers.

Rev. .1. Patterson, on behalf ol the Bihlu-iii-Schools Committee, reported that there was an its-ured majority m the newly-eleetcd lloii-e favouring .Mr Dill's Religion.-. I n>t it iiliou in Schools Rill, which would probably come into law at an early date. The Assembly resolved to re-estab-lish the previous Committee on Sabbath observance, and to set iqi a new Presbytery to lie known as the North Anckland Presbytery.

Rev. \V. Connie, Church Treasurer lor the past 2') years, who lias been failing in health, was appointed to eotitinuu in office at a salary ol i£4('X) with a house allowance of £lllO and six months leave ol absence.

The report for the Theological t'onlege was presented at the evening session hy the Rev. Hector .Mel.can who stressed the grave shortage of men for the .Ministry. His committee was authorised to make a spei ial appeal for Clo.ooo for scholarship funds in connection with the jubilee ol the College next year. The Home Alission report was presented by, the Rev. I). I). Scott, and in view of the grave shortage of Ministers and of growing needs ol the Church, the Home .Mission Committee was charged with the duty of adequately and continuously presenting the claims of the Ministry upon the von tit of the Church. It was estimated that thirteen men annually were required to keep up the strength ol the Ministry, ami onlv eight were coming lorward. The matter of securing suitable settlers for sparsely populated areas was referred to an Immigration Committee to negotiate with the Home churches with a view of nominating onlv selected immigrants. The Governor-General will attorn, the session of the Assembly al H a.m. to-morrow. Duriii ,r the discussion hy the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church this morning, on the «'ommittce’s report on immigration, Roe Angiis said that many immigrants had no church connect urns. 1 lim ’ seemed a lack of co-ordination between the Home and New Zealand churches The time would come when they must anpoint a paid agent. Rev E. ■ | e!l | stated that it looked as it tlio imih.iiion Army was the Stale church, as its officers were the only church repies - tnfives allowed on board befme st<minors reached the wharves. A deliu'lance was adopted urging "" ' ! . churches to notify the arrival of thin members.