PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1925, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[l,y THLBOKAPII PKK THHSS ASSOCIATION.]

DUNEDIN, November 17. j The I’reshvterian General Assembly accomplished a good deal of business this morning ,and ndjourncil to com- - plete its work this evening. The report of the Revised Church Hymnary Committee was presented, 'the committee had kept in touch with the Edinburgh Committee, which had been engaged in preparing a revised edition. e draft of the new book included a fine hymn by Rev. Dr Merrington, of First Church, Dunedin. The report of the Committee on Standing Committees was much the same as last year except that the l’reshyterv, Wanganui, with Rev. Paterson'as convenor, is the Temperance Committee, and the new Protestant , Principle Committee is the Presbytery, Ashburton, with Rev A. S. Morrison as convenor. Tlu* Assembly decided that the site of the new Maori Girls’ College should be at Marten. It was suggested that the name he the Maori equivalent of the surname of the Rev. David Gordon who first proposed a Maori Girls School. A surest ion by the I Coinmittec that Hebrew no longer he a compulsory subject in the ordinary cm - riculum was agreed to. and the Committee was instructed to draw up an alternative course, which should *‘xclude that subject for those who had been exempted by the Senate. Gratification was expressed at the prospect of the University of Now Zealand granting degrees in theology. A deliverance of an industrial order expressing sympathy with the legitimate aims ol Labour was adopted. Similar sympathy with the aims ot the League of Nations was expressed when the report on that subject was considered. It stated Dr Gibb had rendered noble service in the last lew Years of a very strenuous life to the furtherance of the League of Nations Union. Other speakers mentioned the ramifications of the League’s beneficent V activities. .V legal point was discussed ill the matter of whether a Minister Irom overseas exchanging pulpits lor a time with a New Zealand Presbyterian Minister, should be empowered to conduct marriages, and it was ultimately resolved that he should have that privilege. The Assembly resolved to take no action in the matter of the recognised translation of Scripture, which came up by overture. The Assembly concluded its annual conference to-night. Rev Tiplon moved that it be a recommendation to the New Zeaalnd Alliance that it work for local option on n provincial basis. This was carried unanimously. ( Rev J. W. Jack was appointed nudi- ' tor. Memorial minutes were read and formal votes of thanks and closing exercises ended the business of the Assembly.