PRESBYTERIANISM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8743, 17 December 1913, Page 2

PRESBYTERIANISM.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New 'Zealand re-; snmed yesterday morning in St. Paul's' Church Christchurch, the Moderator, the Rev. W. McAra, presiding. Memorial Minutes. The Rev. J. Chisholm presented the memorial minutes in- connection withthe Rev. John Christie, and the Rev. J. M. Davidson. He moved the adop-i tion of the minutes, and the proposal was agreed to. Graded Lessons. A discussion on the subject of Westminster Graded Lessons was initiated by the Rev. A. Murray (Auckland). The matter was filially referred to the committee. "The Outlook." The Rev. J. Aifcken (Otago) presented the report of the Publications Committee. The report stated that the "Outlook" continued to show a credit balance. The committee urgently commended the "Outlook" to ministers and office-bearers and begged them to use their influence to the utmost to see that it reached every family in the church. Mr Aitken moved the following motion -:—" That the report,be adopted; that appreciation be : expressed of the services of the editor of the 'Outlook'; that the many contributors to its pages be thanked, especially' the conductors of the O.K P. page (Revs. A. Don and A. B. Todd and Mr James Parlane.") Mr .Fitzgerald (Dunedin) seconded the motion, which was carried. Applications. The Rev. A. Cameron brought up the report on applications, and it was decided to admit the following:—Revs. A. Armstrong, E. R. Harris, Morgan Richards, D: Hird, Neil 0. White, T. Halliday, and W. Butterworth. The Rev. F. A. Thompson was to take a two years', course. Home Missionaries. The Rev. J. Chisholm presented the report on the course of study for homo missionaries. He moved—"That the proposed course of study for home missionaries be remitted to a committee for further consideration, and that the committee be instructed to submit its amended course to Presbyteries with a view to report to next Assembly, the committee to.consist of the Theological College Committee and the senators of the College, along with the convener and superintendent of the Home Missionaries Committee and the. convener of the committee on the training of home missionaries." The motion was carried. Dr. Erwin presented the report of the committee on the training of home missionaries. He expressed dissatisfaction at the work of home missionary students, and said that some" more effective method for the pursuance of study would .have to be.considered.. He moved —"That the report be adopted; that, the committee be instructed to formulate and submit to next Assembly some more efficient scheme for the supervision of the studies of home missionaries ; that it declares Messrs F. J. Usher, J. Johnston, S. C. Maiden, W. W. S. Hannah, R. L. Fountain, and G. Crockett to have completed the course of studies for missionaries in full standing, and agrees to accept Mr Tennant, who was a missionary in full standing in the Church of Scotland as a missionary in the same status in this church." The motion was carried. Deaconess Ordained. The Moderator ordained Mis Alexander as a deaconess of the Presbyterian Church for the Maori mission. Home Missions. Dr. Gibb presented the report of the Home Mission Committee. He said that the feeling any man must have after reading the report was that the Church did not realise in any adequate fashion the need there was in connection with the great work. The crying necessity of the Presbyterian Church was for a sufficiently numerous and adequately-paid ministry In conclusion, the convener stated that the report in more than one of its features might well occasion anxiety. Surely the Assembly and all concerned would gird themselves for the great work with a new enthusiasm and zeal for the King's business. The people of New Zealand might not be clamouring for the Gospel, but they were ready to respond, and indeed eager to welcome the ministers and agents, and when they proved themselves worthy all needed support and encouragement would be assured. He moved the adoption of the report. The Rev. G. Balfour seconded the motion. The Rev. P. B. Fraser, home mission superintendent, gave an account of his visit to the various stations. The report .was adopted, and it was decided to instruct the committee to secure at least 10 "probationers from Scotland and Ireland. Mr Fraser submitted the list of proposed grants for 14 home mission stations, totalling £4300, which was approved. The Assembly adjourned until 10 o'clock this morning. ■