PREVALENT VICES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 448, 22 February 1890, Page 4

PREVALENT VICES.

REPORT TO THE PRESBYTERIA ASSEMBLY. Wei.linc.tox, Feb. 17 At the Presbyterian Assembly the repoi on the state of religion and morals was introduced by the Rev. D. «J. Steele (Auck land), and was of an exhaustive charactei It was deplored that with many agencies at work there should still be such an amount of godlessness and vice. In the various reports of the Presbyteries, there had been little or no reference to the spread of infidelity, and judging from this the Committee believed that such was not on the increase. The great difficulty was not so much with infidelity as with indifference in regard to spiritual things among those who would be deeply offended if classed as infidels or sceptics. Non-church-going appeared to exist chiefly in tho largest cities, although there was sufficient in the country districts to arouse the Church to deal with this- evil. fSabbath desecration appeared to be on the increase, and in large cities complaints were prevalent about tobacco, fruit, and confectionery shops being allowed to remain open during the whole of Sunday. Gambling had been spoken of as the vice of New Zealand, and, in fact, all Australian colonies, and the committee felt that more determined and united efforts must be taken to deal with it. It had become so widespread that it was to be found not only on the racecourse, but at all cricket and football matches, while the whole of the commercial and social life seemed saturated with the gambling spirit. The answer to the petition to Parliament on the subject was not very encouraging, but it was suggested that the Government should be again approached by the Moderator next session. On the question of the social evil the report went the length of saying that this vice was increasing to an alarming extent. Reference was made to the Rev. Mr Monro’s inquiry at Auckland, the outcome of which was a petition to Government to make all houses of ill-fame disorderly houses, to compel the police ta prevent solicitation on the streets, to establish reformatories for girls just commencing a life of vice, and to raise the age of consent from 14 to at least 16. The Committee considered that the time had come when the Assembly must do something practical in the matter. The Church should, if possible, co-operate with other denominations, so that united action might be taken in approaching the Government on the question. After a passing reference to the growth of larrikinism. the report concluded by making the following suggestions:—l. That Presbyteries be instructed to hold conferences on the state of religion and morals within their bounds, and report to the committee. 2. That ministers and preachers be enjoined to direct special attention to tho vice of gambling, Sabbath desecration, and social impurity. 3. That Presbyteriesbe requested to arrange for special mission services in as many of the congregations as possible. 4. That ministers and preachers be asked to deliver special sermons on family worship and the training of the young on any Sabbath during the month of August. 5. That an effort be made by each Presbytery to find out the numbers of lapsed Presbyterians within its bounds, and report to the Committee. During the discussion which took place on the report, the Rev. R. Erwin (Christchurch), referring to the Contagious Diseases Act, said that in Christchurch, where there were only 40 unfortunate women known to the police when the Act was in force ; at the present time, and since it had fallen into abeyance, there were 200 of this class of women known to the police. The Rev. Mr Treadwell characterised gambling as the chief vice of the young men of the colony, and the totalisator as a cause. It not only ruined th 3 person who invested in it, but robbed tradosmen of their just dues, which were frequently directed to the totalisator. He thought it was incumbent upon ministers and tha Church to raise their voices against the prevailing vices of the present day. The report was adopted. The Rev. J. Doull brought up a report on the Maori mission, which showed that through the influence of three missionaries blue ribbonism was increasing, and Hauhauism and Mormonism were decreasing. Theannualexpenditure in salaries amounted to £IBO.

At the Presbyterian General Assembly yesterday, the report upon the Aged and Infirm Ministers’ Fund was presented. The Committee stated that the regulation makingconnection with the f undcompulsory had been complied with byonly 22 ministers, while only 27 congregations had made their annual contributions. The total income for the year had been £279 14s 7d, and the expenditure £75 Is 7d, leaving a balance of £204 13s to be added to tho capital, which now stood at £2,006. It was decided that convener draw up a circular calling the attention of ministers and congregations co the regulations of the funds, and recommending compliance with the same. The report upon the widows’ and orphans’ fund stated that only three new contributors had joined the fund during the year, and there were only 21 contributors. In all, the income of the year had been £359 10s 6d, and the expenditure £134 Bs, and after carrying the difference to capital account, the latter stood at £4,794 3s 7d. The report of the Church Extension Committee was brought up. It suggested that endeavours be made to induce promising young men to educate themselves for the work of the ministry, and that large provisions be made in the way of scholarships. This must be done if, as a church, they were co keep pace with the progress of the colony.