PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 280, 24 November 1915, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

TO-DAY'S SESSION. YOUTH OF THE CHURCH. The Assembly resumed at 9 a.m. today when the Youth of the Church Committee report was considered. Recommendations were adopted, expressing thankfulness for the fine spirit of sacrifice displayed by the young men of New Zealand in offering themselves so readily to fight for the cause of freedom, truth, and righteousness, and for the devoted service and heroism which they have shown in battle; also that special vigilance be exercised in watching over young lads from 15 years of age upwards, who will soon be leaving the Sunday schools, to help them under the influence of the Church, and that a register of the young men of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand be organised. Another resolution was passed thanking "MJjr. R. Blair, Sunday school agent, Messrs. J. Mackenzie and Frank R. Wilkinson, Bible class travelling secretaries, and the Rev. J. Aitken. The three first-named were appointed for a further term of twelve months, also, "that in view of the number of our young men at the front, one of our youth of the church agents be appointed to assist the chaplain at the front, and that his expenses be paid by the Youth of the Church Committee." This motion was adopted subject to the addition "that the committee be authorised to send an agent out. WOMAN WORKERS' FUND. The Special Committee on Beneficiary Funds reported that a fund for women missionaries and deaconesses was a question of exceptional difficulty, mainly because there was so very little data available on which to base proposals for such a fund. The Assembly adopted a number of provisional regulations for the foundation of such a fund, which were ordered to be sent down to presbyteries, deacons' courts, and committees of to consider and report. HOME MISSIONS. The Assembly resumed the considera-i tion of the Home Missions Committee's! report. Extension of service in their usual charges was granted for a fourth year to the following home mission I agents:—Messrs. R. D. McEwan, Tuataperc; G. H. Jlalph, Apiti; W. DunlOp.l Waitara; R. B. Hill, Stewart Island; P.! Milne, Ratanai; and E. Gardiner, South Invercargill. I Dr. Gibb made a stirring appeal to' Presbyteries for special efforts to raise their amounts contributed to the Home Mission Fu'n't' "He pointed out that for' 1915 th«re was a decrease in the contributions ■ from eight aresoyteries,- which j was, however, compensated for "by six' presbyteries which increased their contributions. The total for 1914 was I £3,726 0/9, and for 1915 reached £4,257 5/7. f Dr. Gibb moved: "That, if need be, , the capital funds be taxed the, same • amount as last year for home missions," , which was agreed to. It was also agreed, on the motion of : Dr. Gibb, that all students seeking posi- • tions during the summer months shall apply to the Home Mission Committee. • ORDAINED HOME MISSION AGENTS. Dr. Gibb referred to the powers of ordained home mission agents. He argued that when transferred from one , station to another the presbytery of the district to which the home "mission agent went should have power to state ! i whether or not he should have the power to perform marriage services and, administer the two sacraments. A motion to that effect was adopted. CHAPLAINS' WORK. Chaplain Major Shirer submitted the report of the chaplains- work. It stated that 14 chaplains had expressed j willingness to go on active service abroad. Resident camp chaplains are: Rev. W. J. Shaw, M.A., at Trentham; Rev. R. Watson, at Tauhcrcnikau. At the latter place a large marquee was provided by the committee. In this camp co-operation with other Churches andthe V.M.C.A. hnd been arranged. ■ Chaplain-Major Shirer said money was 'badly needed for the chaplains' work. He wa 6 glad to be able to state that Mr. Ryburn had just received a cheque for £50 for the Chaplains' Fund from ail Auckland elder. (Applause.) Mr. Shirer appealed to ministers of churches ,to sec that their congregations helped this Dominion Fund for the soldiers. Rev. J. H. Mackenzie seconded the adoption of the report. He said the war was a time of marvellous opportunity for the Church to get in contact with the young men. Rev Ryburn said Mr. A. J. Entrican was the elder who handed him the cheque for £50. The report was adopted, and Mr.' \ J. Entrican was thanked for his donation of £50.