TARANAKI PRESBYTERY

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1915, Page 7

TARANAKI PRESBYTERY

I The two-monthly meeting was held iu the 'Hatfcra Prcdbytcrian Hall, with Rev. I J. 11. Shore in t'lie chair and a good ' muster of members. 1 An cider's commission from "Kaponga in f»vor of Mr. Kirgan was sustained, and his name added to the roll. The clerk reported that he had forwarded to the senior chaplain the name ol Itev. Welsh, who had offered his services as chaplain. Evangelist.—The clerk laid on the tabic.a communication from llr. J. Gumming, evangelist, at present laboring in Auckland Presbytery, and it was agreed that an endeavor be made to secure nis services for special meetings in Taranaki for a period of three months, com'mcueing on March 1, IUIG. Leave of Absence.—A request was received from Rev. T, If. Roseveare for leave of absence from his charge for another month. Leave was granted, and hearty wishes expressed for speedy recovery. Mr. MacDiarmid, on behalf of , Xew Plymouth session, thanked the Presbytery, and especially the clerk, for assistance in carrying on the work during the minister's absence. Rev. Mr. Pattison was appointed interim moderator of New Plymouth, and Rev. Mr. Lowtfry of Inglewood. Patea.—Rev. McTvor reported that the. church extension grant to Patea had been reduced from £2O to £lO per annum without notice either to the congregation of Presbytery. A protest was directed to be sent to the convenor of the Church. Extension Committee. Delegates to Auckland Assembly.—Rev. Messrs Shore, Howes, Pattison and Roseveare, with Mr. Lowcry as substitute, were appointed ministerial delegates, ami , jthp, sessions of.New Plymouth, Stratford, were each asked to appoint a representative eider. Messrs Howes and Bridge were appointed a sub committee to examine and report on congregational balance-sheets. Whangamomona.—Mr. Pattison intro-duced-Mr. A. TI. Norrie, the recentlyappointed home missionary at Whansamomona, and on. his behalf r. ' " ] tliat'ho be ordained as such. Mr. Konie had been declared a missionary in full standing (by the assemlbly and the request was granted, aijd Messrs Pattison, Lillev, Lowcry and Murray were appointed to carry out the ordination at Whangamomona on a suitable ('ate, IFati'iotisn Jiiv.l Gambling.—Kev. Mr. Lowery moved, Mr. Pattison seconded, and it was agreed—That the Taranaki PresJbytery, while recording its unwavering belief in the cause of the Allies and the desirability of supporting the Wounded Soldiers' or other funds, views with alarm the growing practice of holding raffles and art unions on their behalf! and would strongly urge our people to discountenance these and other forms of gambling in aid of suflh worthy objects; and, further, the Presbytery directs that a strong protest be* sent to the Minister of Interna! Affairs against the granting of raffling permits. Church Property.—lt was agreed to instruct the clerk to secure a return of nil lands (belonging to the church with-

n the 'bounds, oi ibuiHinga on same, of mortgages (if any), and to ascertain if transferred, to the Oliureh Board of Property of the (Prcsbytcmn Qhurcli o-f New Zealand. Dearth of Students.—tMr. Pattison, in reporting on this matter, stated that it was due in large measure to the low state of spiritual life iu our churches, to the lack of family piety, the absence of the family altar and of religious conversation, to the inadequate salaries too often paid to ministers, to the attraction offered by a mercantile and commercial life, and to the greater financial inducements of other professions, and to the .restlessness and perplexity due to radical criticism of the sacred Scriptures. It was agreed to recommend that the Assembly direct ministers and missionaries (o set before their young people the claims of the ministry as a life work; invite the Professors of Theology to undertake deputation work among the parishes and urge our people to give themselves to united prayer. The Presbytery adjourned till October 7.