PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 149, 19 November 1914, Page 8

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

CHURCH STATISTICS. By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. The Presbyterian General Assembly opened to-night, when the Rev. A. Grant, Dannevirke, was elected Moderator for the ensuing year. He delivered an address on "Sabbath Observance."

The treasurer's statement, which was adopted, showed, that congregational contributions reached' the large total of £23,6,10, as compared with '£ 15,933 last year, the increase being largely due to contributions through the "Every Member" campaign for canton sites and building fund. The expenditure of all tlie mission funds during recent years had exceeded ordinary income, and generous giving, together with careful management, were necessary if a .retrenchment was to be avoided. One hundred and fifty ministers and home missionaries had been insured against sickness and accident, and five had received compensation amounting to £lO2 10s. The report on the general and financial statistics showed a decrease in attendance at public worship over ' the whole church to the net extent of 1320. This decrease was in striking contrast to last year's increase of considerably over 2000. The total membership showed a net gain of 1161, and now stood at 41,080, the highest yet recorded. The debt on the church property had risen by £17,371 to £98,000, involving an annual payment of £SOOO in interest. There was an increase of £12,888 in the revenue, the gross total of which was £157,226, much the largest in the church's history. The report was adopted.