PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 274, 12 November 1908, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. By 'lelegrapb,—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. At a meeting of the General Assembly to-day the report of the State of Religion committee was presented. Statistics were quoted to show the proportion of non-cliurcligocrs. The proportion of

men attending Sunday services was:— Auckland 02.4 per cent; Taranaki 3D.2; Waiigaiiui 41.1; Hawko's Bay 48,1; Wellington 41.5; Nelson 33; Westland 37.2; Chrislehurch 3U.11; Timaru 34.5; Oamaru 41.0; Dunedin 43.0; Clutha 44.7; Mataura 41.5; Southland 40.8. Three unplaced congregations gave a percentage of 40.3. The returns from several Presbyteries were incomplete, notably Wellington and Nelson. The average for the Dominion worked out at 41.5 per cent. The average for the Dominion of persons connected with the various

church organisations stood at 37.7. The ratio of male communicants to females was—Auckland 39.5; Taranaki 30.4; ffanganui 30.2; Hawke's Bay 43.7; Wellington 35.3; Nelson 30.0; Weslland 30.8; Christcluirch 37.0; Timaru 38.5; Oaiuaru 31.5; Dunedin 30.2; Clutlia 38.0; Mataura 40.7; Southland 38.1. The total average for the church was 30.0 per cent. I The Rev, F. Dunlop, iu submitting th •

report, said that although many children attended Sunday school with comparative regularity, some of them wen forming the habit of nou-ehurch-going. He urged that parents should be impressed with the fact that it was their duty to send their children to church, j The Hev. J. I'atlorson (Waipukurau) said the situation was extremely serious and called for action. Rev. C. Murray (Cliristchurch) thought a committee should bo appointed to inquire into the social life of the people and see how far socialistic- doctrines were influencing the people and urging ministers, sessions, church-workers and parents to keep the spiritual aim doniiua it in the work of the church. This was agreed to,