PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 272, 16 November 1910, Page 8

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

The business session of the Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand -was continued in St. Andrews Hall last night. Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Moderator, presided over a- good attendance of delegates. EXTENDING THE CHURCH. T'ho Church Extension and Home II isfiion Committee reported that the pressing need was still men and money for the work. There, were no less than fight stations for whicth an agent could not be found. Positions for at least Ihirly men could be found if of the right stamp, .and there wan reasonable hope that there would Tie before long a sensible addition from the Home Land. The yrar began with a. credit balance of £551; it ended with a. balance of £032—a result all the more satisfactory in face'-of the fact that this year £1,420 had been pai-d in grants to stations, as egnhvat £1,242 last j'ear. The sum donated ac augmentation decreased from £372 to ,C3(iO. Towards the travelling and removal expenses of agents, the sum of CSS was paid, as α-gaiiret £56 last year. A contribution of £20 was made in the salary of the student who, acting undor the direction of the Youth Committee, toured as a colporteur in tbe north and west of the South Lsla-nd. For t-olportiage in IVestland, a further frsant of £15 was matte. The total inninir of the Committee was £2,009 (exclusive of credit balance), of which conpregations contributed £1,315 (increase,. i£l7o). the Southern Committee £350 (increase £125); contribution, of the Laymen's Home Mission Union, £40", donations yielded £343 (increase, :£IS4). TJhe donor of the gift of £150 reported to last Assembly repeated his "timely benefaction, and in. response to appeals o. number of other good friends of the Ghureh had helped tfie Commititee. An .appointment of an agent was recommended ac leading to the amalgamation of Home Mission committees and funds, increase of the minimum ministerial stipend in the North, much needed guidance to Home Mission stations and ajrents, and ra.pid extension of ibhe operations of the Church. "To continue as we are," addi?d the report, "is to continue a system of muddling and 'blundering, ■*vith no clear conception, of what is required, with no proper supervision of the agents, -with no effective method of si:pppjil to the sympathy and succour of the Church."

The adoption of >bhe report was moved i by Dr. Gibb, who, in addition, proposed the appointment of Rev. P. B. Fraser (T>nuedin) to the .position of agent. Rev. J. Kilpatrick (Green Island) seconded, and after considerable discussion, the motion was carried. The salary of thp agent was fixed at £300 a year, 'A.'loo house allowance and expenses for first year not to exceed £ 100, the appointment to be for a period of five years. Jlr. Fraser "thanked the Assembly for ahe compliment paid him, but dntiiniß'ted that he was unable to say ■without consideration whether he would accept or reject the appomtinent. SOXTSTERIAL STIPEND. Overtures were presented by the IWcllington and Christchuxoh Presbyteries, nsking the- Assembly to take into consideration the moitter of the small mikrimum stipend paid to ministers in charges from the Wnitaki to the North ( Cape, and to devise a scheme for relief. 'It was pointed out that while there had /during the last 12 years been a steady rise in ibhe cost of living, the minimum stipend had remained, at £175 a year, ■which was not considered to be an adeiq mate maintenance. Rev. Robt. Wood moved: "That in future the minimum stipend be £200 ci.nd manse, to inchidle the grant from (the Church Extension Fund." After discussion, the matter was referred to the Church Extension Committee. CHURCH HYMNT BOOK.

On resuming this morning, the Assembly entered upon a discussion of the most suitable hymn book to be adopted throughout the Church, the argument being between the "New Church Praise" and the "Church Hymnary," both of •which are in use in different congregations. Remits were read from the various Presbyteries in New Zealand pronouncing in favour of one or the other publication.

XVr. Gibb moved in accordance with the notice given to the effect that the Assembly deeJaTe in favour of one hymn book, and it be the "Uew Church Praise" as the best compilation, but its introduction be deferred to a convenient time, though it be adopted at once in new congregations and mission stations. In the course of a vigorous speech. Dr. Gibb pointed out the need for the uniform adoption of one recognised hymn book in the interests of the solidarity of the Church and in the interests of economy. He declared the "Hymnary" to be distinctly inferior to the "New Church Praise" in respect to the hymns, the •words they contained, and the music to which they were set, and in general arrangement. The "New Church Praise" contained an infinitely better selection, the tunes -were a long way ahead, and the harmonies weTe not out of the reach of the average choir or ■worshipper. In the "Hymnary" there were five different beginnings and endings, the contents were in consequence puzzling to find, simply making it a perfect abomination. Rev. J. M. Simpson (Auckland) Seconded. •

Rev. A. Mallar ( Auckland) moved an amendment in favour of the "Hymnary" as the recognised hymn book, but granting congregations the liberty to use the "New Church Praise" if they choose. Ho made a strong appeal in support of the retention of the "Hymnary." Rrv. R. Inglis (Kandallah) seconded. Rev. I. Jolly claimed that the Hymnary had not given general eatisf.actio<n where adapted in Australia and New Zealand, and that dt was not equal in selection- or merit to the New Church Praise.

Rev. P. B. Fraser moved a< further amendment that decision on the matter bo delayed till next session, and in the meantime *he opinions of Presbyteries, erosions, and choir leaders be obtained. Rpv. J. Cumm-mg (Invercargill) secended.

In the course of discussion, some Bpeakere argued tha-t the Hymtiary appealed to the -wider Presbyterian element, while others that the tunes were too classical and not suitable for country stations. At the same time, there ZT i% gEneral CoTOUlrratc of the proV?v£.%* eX P reseion «* opinion. Mx. Frasert amendment was carried