PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1927, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 10. A sermon by the retiring Moderator of the .General Assembly of tlie Presbyterian Church (Rev. O. H. Afc-Neur) anil an address by the newly elected Aloderator (Rev. James Aitkon, AT.A., of Gisborne) were features of the proceedings at the opening of the General Assembly last evening. The church was well tilled with representatives from all parts of the Dominion of whom the roll number was 291. Rev. Aitkon said: “An ignorant preacher will make ignorant statements, an untrained mind will confuse the fundamental issues and effect on the world about our doors and produce a false impression of what Christianity really is, and to hide (Jurist from men’s eyes. There is an immenso amount of misapprehension abroad to-day, and the churc-li is not free from blame in the matter. She has been far too ready to assume that any preaching is better than no preaching. A tremendous responsibility rests upon tlie church to set Christ before the world as lie really is, and for the discharge of that duty she simply must have a competent anil qualified ministry. This problem cries out for study and consideration.” Evolution and religion were touchen by the Aloderator of tlie Presbyterian General Assembly, Rev. James Aitken in bis opening address. He said: “A thorough-going evolutionary philosophy is inconsistent with matoiiulism and is friendly to a belief in God.” The atomic theory of Darwin’s “Origin of Species,” and doctrine of evolution were dealt with in the address which pointed out the effect of growth of biological scientific on former conception of a universe like “a vast machine revolving through the ages, blind, aidless anil incapable of real change.” The speaker stated that the universe was in truth a vast community of organisms, with a life history and life purpose. The matter was more and more being conceived in terms of the spirit. The Aloderator urged the church to bring herself to breathe a humbler spirit and even to learn from science, a more profound faith in the truth itself and in its progressive revelation the church must cease to regard herself as possessed of the last word in revelation.