PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12606, 17 November 1926, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

GENERAL ASSEMBLY’S WORK REPORTS ON MANY ACTIVITIES SABBATH OBSERVANCE At the meeting of the Presbyterian Assembly yesterday the supply and appointments committee reported that six settlements had been made, and that six aid-receiving charges had risen to the self-sustaining level. Reference was made to the serious state of matters in Otago Central, where the Presbytery has lust half its ministers. A report on the auslentation fund was given by the Rev. J. Prjngle, ot Dunedin. He said that the equal dividend lias been raised to £2BO. Congregations in Otago and Southland have contributed £960, and in the rest of the church £760 was given, A petition from the Presbytery of Auckland, asking the church to raise a semi-jubilee fund of £250,000, was introduced by the Rev. J. L. Harvey Mather, and was referred to the finance committee. The Presbytery in Auckland also forwarded an overture guaranteeing the advances whereby small churches and new districts might he helped. The matter was referred ip the finance committee. A report on the insurance fund was given by Mr A- D. Thomson (WelUngtqjß. Insurances amounting to £714,417 are distributed over 381 churches, 214 manses, and 193 schoolrooms, etc- The amount to the credit of the. fund is £10,479, Scholarships of £SO to the Theological College aiid £35 to the colleges are to be granted. The amount of £4OO was transferred t& the beneficiary fund. THEOLOGICAL COLLEGES The committee on the ICnox College Council recommended that the positions of master of the college and professor of practical training be separated, and the Synod of Otago and Southland be asked to appoint Professor Hewitson professor in the year 1928. The question of the method of practical training and teaching the English Bible was remitted to the Theological College committee. The Row, R. Inglia (Wellington) presented a report on immigrants, in which he told of work done in meeting those arriving in. New Zealand from overseas. Steamers coming +0 Wellington and Auckland are met by committees of ministers and elders. Proposals were made to improve matters, and were remitted to the presbyteries. In the afternoon the Rev, G. H, Jupp submitted the publications report, dealing chiefly with the “Outlook.” Various departments of the ohurch’s aotivities have been. given place in its columns. Free conies are given to lighthouses, hospitals, eto. The circulation of the paper is good a? far north as Christchurch, out above that it tapers off. In the evening several matters engaged attention. The assembly clerk reported that the church hvmnary liad beep completed so far as hymns are concerned, and music was now being preparedA report was given of the meeting of. the Preshvterian Alliance at Cardiff Inst i .-gar. It consisted of representa-. tive.s of Presbyterian churches from averv rrmtilient.i" ' . i> ifliTnid The Rev. D, J. Shaw (Hastings) presented the chaplains’ report, which shoke of tho work in the enmns. and of the eo-operation of the V.M.C.A-, .whose institutes are of great value. The than'-s of the assembly were given to Mr Shaw far his sorvieeß os convener during the past seven years. LEAGUE of nations The Rev. J. A. Allan (Wellington) gave a report on the league of Nations Union, whjcli referred to tho progress made by the League in proclaiming and spreading the principles of pekoe apd goodwill among nations. Gratification was at the entry of Germany into the Teague, and mention was made of the humanitarian work the League alone can perform. The Rev. H. G. Gilbert (Hamilton) reported Sabbath observance. He condemned the action of the Government running excursion trains on Sundiiv, ftnd cnlled upon members to carefully guard the sanctity of the T ord’s Dnv; The assembly also expressed disapproval of training in military camps on Sundays. The assembly also protested, against the art unions at present being conducted.