PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1916, Page 9

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ANNUAL ASSEMBLY. By relegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, November 28. At the Presbyterian General Assembly this afternoon the subject of union was proceeded with. Rev. J. E. Mackenzie moved—''Tlmt before entering upon any action as to union with other churches, it be referred to the Finance Committee to consider and report to the next Assembly, after talcing legal advice on the subject. 'Professor Dickie, in seconding the motion, said he believed there was not the slightest desire on the part of the people for union with other churches. The motion was debated keenly, and finally the "previous question" was carried, and the Assembly thus shelved the matter. The Assembly then considered the recommendations of the Church Committee. The Australasian trade lesson course was adopted for use in Sunday schools after 11)17.

The report of the Chaplains Committee spoke of the united institute at Featherston, representing the Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Congregational and Church nf Christ churches and the Y.M.C.A. The Presbyterian Church hai, now 12 chaplains with the Expeditionary Forces, two on hospital ships and two in permanent .'amps. Fund? are continually needed for various branches of work. A letter was read from the Congregational Union conveying greetings, and expressing concern at the waste and overlapping in Christian work on the part of the churches, and suggesting that steps should be taken for a. conference of free churches on the subject. The Assembly regretted the present state of opinion on the subject, but felt that no good result would follow from such a conference.

Attention was directed to tlie lourth centenary of the Reformation, ivliicli falls on October 31, 1917, and a suggestion was made that it should be fittingly celebrated. .Rev. A. T. Thompson introduced an overture dealing with the subject of military service on the part of ministers and home missionaries liable tc serve. He moved that a. committee be set up in each Presbytery of men above military age to deal with the matter. An impressive intercessory service was held from 8 to S> o'clock, and the address was given by the Jlcv. S. I'. Hunter.