TARANAKI PRESBYTERY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 33, 9 June 1915, Page 7

TARANAKI PRESBYTERY.

| The Taranaki Presbytery mot at Hawera on June 3 and 1, when Mr Short' presided. Apologies for absence were received from Rev. Mr Mc l Ivor and Mr Mac Diarmid. A commission in favour of Mr Butler, of Normanby, was received and sustained.

! Bible Class llally.—-The Presbytery passed a resolution expressing gratification at the progress of Bible Class 'work in the Dominion, and especially in Taranaki, and made special reference to the fact that many bible class members had joined the expeditionary forces. Later on, the Presbytery tendered its thanks to the minister and congregation of Hawera for their generous welcome and hospitality to the '2OO delegates, and commended Mr J. M. MeKenzie, L.L.8., B.C. Travelling Secretary, to the various char-

ges. Mr Pattison reported on the excellent character of the Home Missionaries' sermons. Visitation of Waverley.— An excellent report was given by the visitation committee of the spiritual and financial condition of this important charge of which Mr Mclvor is the 'minister. Good progress work was being done by every department of the Church. Special mention was made of the fact that a new S.S. Hall (£842) and new |Manse (£641) had been cleared of all ibut £26 in three years. As chap-lain-Captain, Mr Mclvor had efficient[ly represented the Church in the re'e'ent Territorial camp. A suitable finding was adopted, and Mr Ireland [was asked to read it to the Waverley congregation. In connection with the camp report by the Chaplain, a resolution was passed thanking Mr .Mclvor and his congregation for 'their work and generosity, and arranging that the various charges through the bounds should !take up a collection to go to a marquee fund. The Presbytery had decided at a former meeting that it was neeces!sary to procure one for its own use. I The marquees were well patronised |by Territorials in their leisure hours. j Evangelistic—lt was agreed that [Mr Howes be asked to make enquiries [about securing the services of a suitable evangelist. An application by Mr Wan, of Opunakej to be received as a Home 'Mission agent was referred to Messrs i Howes and Welsh to report in August.

Another application from a Baptist minister was referred back to the applicant as it was not clear whether he wished to be received as a minister or

a missionary. j Mr Welsh was appointed correspondence member of the Assembly's Sabbath Observance Committee with in'stiucLions to work up the Lord's Day [Alliance. ' Normanby.—Mr Shore read extract j minute from this congregation asking to be declared a Home Mission Stajtion. —Request granted. Mokoia-Whakamara.—After a long I discussion, it was agreed to detach this from Normanby and place it under care of Hawera session, Mr Butlor to have permission to conduct his week night service as long as he pleased. Mr McKenzie, B.C. Travelling Secretary, was cordially welcomed by : the moderator, Mr Shore, and briefly [addressed the Presbytery. | Student Volunteers.—lt was agreed ,to urge upon the Foreign Mission .Committee the advisability of going 1 forward and work to do all in the Presbytery's" power to support it. Since an increase in Is per member over the total membership of 41,080, would give an increase- of €2054, it I was agreed to suggest to the F.M. Committee the desirability of circularising Church members;. Sympathy.-The Presbytery passed a, motion expressing sincere sympathy with members of congregations whose relatives had been wounded, are missling, or have died at the Front. j A special message was sent to Rev. F Rule, a former member of the Presbytery, whose son had recently died of wounds. Patriotic Temperance Crusade.—lt was agreed to ask ministers and missionaries to set apart the second Sabbath in July for the purpose of advocating the desirable measure, which 'the Presbytery heartily commended. Ministers' Mode of Conveyance.— During a discussion, one minister remarked that it was time congregations recognised that this ought not 'to be a burden upon the minister or inissionary, but a part of the working expenses of the Church. In any other calling, allowance would ho made in some way for these travelling expenses. It was a mistake for a congregation to think it was doing well when it paid a minister £2OO or £250, as the case might be, and allow him to carry all the hurden of providing ami maintaining a horse and gig ,Oi: motor, to do the necessary travelling. The Presbytery meet again on August sth.