PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1554, 17 February 1887, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, Fehi«aryl4

In the Assembly o-chvy have of nbsencn fof the remainder of :he season wuh granted to the Revs. Messrs Riddle, Gurus, and ffilnulie, and to Messrs Johnson, Or, Anderson, and Billings With reference to the application of the Rev, T. Adatos for admission to the Church, the Committee on Bills and husin’Ss recommended the Auckland Presbytery should be authorised to employ that gentleman until the next Assembly, and if their report is then satisfactory in all matters, he may be admitted to (he status of minist' r eligible for call. In reference to the licensing of the Rev. Mr Adamson, of Nelson, the action of the Nelson Presbytery in licensing him was approved, (hough the proceedings were somewhat irregular. The Assembly then took into consideration the report upon the widows' and orphans' fund, and ultimately f he recommendations of the Committee were adopted, and on the motion of the Rev. W. Gillies were remitted to the Presbytery for consideration, with a view to their general adoption at the next Assembly. The report upon the aged and infirm ministers’ fund was read and considered, in connection with communications from the Christchurch, Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Wanganui and Timaru Presbyteries, and was relegated to a Committee with iustructious to report at a future sederunt. After the adjournment, the Rev. J. Dickson, M.A., was associated to the Assembly, and welcomed accordingly. The Maori Mission report sl owed that the work was of a hopeful nature, and that the abstinence principle w is making satisfactory progress amongst the Maoris, Mr Calder gave notice of motion: “That a loyal and dutiful add ess be presented to her Majesty the Q teen, offering the respectful congratulations of the Assembly on the approaching jubilee of Her Majesty’s benign and bi nelicent reign.” It was resolved that henceforward, when applications are m ide by ministers or licentiates of other Cuurches to be received into the Church, these applications snail be accompanied by medical certificates. Mr Douglas moved that the Prssbytery of Weal land be appointed a Committee to take such practical steps as may be expedient to give effect to the question of providing a Chinese missionary on the West Const. Mr Paterson read a report on Church extension, which showed that last year there had been a considerable advance. There wore more churches, more grants to funds, and more accessions to the working staff, which enabled them to occupy several new districts and form new charges. This year/egret was expressed that the same progress had not been made. Hope was expressed that some encouragement might be given in the way of founding scholarships or of congregations giving bonuses to assist young men in prosecuting their studies, and that more encouragement should be given to young men of talent and piety. New charges or stations were formed at St, Peter’s, Auckland, Woodville, Opunake, Petone, and Brunnerton. Regret was expressed that instead of a supplement to ministers’ stipends, whose salaries are under £250 per year, the lowness of the funds necessitated a reduction in them, and it was feared that this will be the case again. This year there was an increase to the funds from own churches, but a considerable diminution in grants from Home Churches. Mr J. McKerrow read a report of Church properties. A considerable number of returns have yet to be received before it will be possible to make a complete statement as to the values and condition of the church property. The statement of the trust funds invested on freehold se-. curity was as followsWidows’ and Orphans' Fund, £3320 ; Aged and Infirm Ministers’ Fund, £IOBO ; Somerville Scholarship Fund, £1000; Foreign Missions, £700; Awateya and Nelson Sustentation Fund, £3OO ; total, £6380. The Auckland sub-Oommittee reported having arranged for the further investment of £2OOO, to be completed in March next. The reports were adopted. February 16. Od Tuesday the Rev. Mr Treadwell reported that the Committee on the mode of the election of Moderator recommended that the mode hitheito in operation be adhered to. A resolution was carried that the Assembly place on record the loss sustained by the death of the Rev. .fames Bruce, pf Opehunga. The Sab? bath School Examination Committee reported that the woqld correr-; pond with the Presbyteries with a yiew to arranging general examinations oyer over the whole Church, and report to next Assembly, A grant of £3O a year from thp Aged and Infirm Ministers’ Fund, to the Rev. J. Duncan, of Foxton, for Ihe remainder of his life was grrntad. A congratulatory address to the Queen was submitted to the Assembly and agreed to. A dispute between the Avon? , dale (Auckland), congregation and tjfieir pastor was referred back to the Auckland Presbytery to deal with. The offer of the editor of the Presbyterian, to give half the space in that journal to the Northern Ohurph was aepepted, A reao-. lotion, wiu| npyed thgl this renew its testimony in favor of Biblereading in schools, and that the Committee on education be directed to cooperate with kindred Committees of other Churches in urging upon the Legislates the mnendmept °f th® Education Act, to include Bible reading in all public schools. The Treasurer’s report was read, and it was agreed that the next Assembly be held at Christchurch on the second Tuesday qf February, 1888. The usual votes qf thanks were carried, and the Assembly closed.