PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5219, 13 December 1877, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The Assembly met as appointed at 10 a.m., the Very Bev. the Moderator in the chair. The minutes of the previous day’s proceedings were read and confirmed. The Bev. Mr. Boss moved,—That steps be taken by every Presbytery to obtain a plot of ground sufficient for a church and manse in every township within the bounds.—This was seconded by the Bev. Mr. - Somerville, and agreed to. It was resolved, on the motion of the Bev. Mr. Treadwell, that the minute-books of all the Presbyteries of the Church be brought up to each General Assembly to be examined and certified.

The report of the Church Extension Committee was submitted by the Bev. D. Bruce. The report gave a full and interesting account of the operations of the Church in this department. No less than fifteen ministers have been obtained from the Home Churches during the year, and yet there is ample room for double the number. The report stated that the Established Church of Scotland had rendered liberal pecuniary assistance to this scheme. It expressed the hope that the colonial committees of the other Churches would follow this good example, and it concluded by stating that “it is in this department of service the Master is specially inviting the Church to put forth her strength.” The Bev. Mr.' Boss spoke on the importance of taking an early opportunity of occupying new and rapidly increasing centres of population. The Bev. Mr. Og& urged on the Assembly the desirableness of having the vacancy at Waihauga supplied without delay. It was moved by the Bev. Mr. Paiersoh, — That this able and interesting report be adopted, and that the thanks of the Assembly be given to the committee, and especially to the convener. He referred to the great service which for many years had been rendered to the Church iu this departmeut by the convener, the Bev. D. Bruce. He alluded to the arrival of Messrs. Bodgers and Grant from Scotland, and the acceptance with which they are meeting in their work. The Bev. Mr. Treadwell seconded the adoption of the report. After a desultory discussion of some of the regulations of the committee, the report, with its recommendations, was agreed to. The Ber. Mr. Eraser, of Waipukurau, gave an account of the religious necessities of the coast and bush settlements, and the Assembly agreed to render assistance to these districts. The Bev. Mr. Bruce read a report of his labors for a portion of the year as agentgeneral of the Church. The Bev. Mr. Somerville gave the financial statement of the committee charged with this scheme.

A motion approving of the report, and expressing the heartiest satisfaction with the

laboia of the agent of the Church, was made by the Rev. Mr. Treadwell, and seconded by the Rev. Mr. Paterson, and agreed to. A committee was also appointed with whom Mr. Bruce might confer. The report on the model trust deed in course of preparation was read by the Rev. Mr. Paterson, which was adopted. The Rev. Mr. Sheuuiffs felt that the attention of the Church should be called to the deed adopted by the Church in Otago. He felt quite convinced the Otago one was far superior to anything the Church possessed on the subject. The business of the Assembly having now closed, a vote of thanks to the friends in Wellington for their kindness to the members of Assembly was moved and heartily agreed to. A vote of thanks was moved, seconded, and agreed to, for the use of the Provincial Council Hall and Chambers so kindly given by the Government to the Assembly. A vote of thanks was also passed to the Press in Wellington for the reports it has given of the Assembly’s proceedings, and to the Revs. Messrs. Allsworth, Doull, Ross, and Somerville for the assistance they had rendered in connection with these Press reports. It was moved and agreed to, in accordance with a previous finding of the Assembly, that the next General A serably of this Church be held in Christchurch in March, 1879, on a day to be fixed by the Moderator. The minutes of this sederunt were then read by the Clerk and confirmed. The Very Rev. the Moderator delivered his closing address. He reviewed the proceedings of the Assembly now closed, congratulating the house on the peace, harmony, and good feeling which had pervaded the As-. sembly. He pointed out that it is important, if our legislation is good, that it be carried out throughout the Church; and made special reference to the sustentation fund in this connection. He hoped they might return to their homes full of new zeal. He prayed that a rich blessing from on high might descend and rest on them all.

Those present having sung the latter half of the 122nd Psalm, the benediction was pronounced, and the Assembly was dissolved.