RELIGIOUS WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 244, 12 October 1918, Page 14

RELIGIOUS WORLD.

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES. The Bishop of Adelaide spoke at the South Australian Synod approving the abolition of pew rente, so that the feeling of class distinction iwithin the church might he swept away. The Rev. G. Heigiway was welcomed to the charge of the Congregational Church at Palmerston North by the Mayor, as well as ministers of other denominations, also by a representative of tile No-License League. TTie Rev. C. Napier Milne, of the British Wesleyan Conference, is expected to arrive in New Zealand at an early date, with a view of joining the New Zealand Conference. Mr. Milne has filled Borne very important appointments. "FCis most recent appointment was at St John's Church, Glasgow, one of the leading circuits in Scotland.

- The Rev. Hnkaraia Paliewa, who was ■made honorary Canon of the Cathedral last Wednesday is the first Maori to receive that dignity. He was educated at Te Aute College, and completed his theological career at Gisborne. At present he is in charge of Te Kaha and Opotahi parishes.

Laymen are allowed to preach in the parish church of Wooburn. Bucks. At the close of evensong the vicar (the Rev. H. Neieon) leaves the pulpit and takes a place as a member of tho congregation, thus giving laymen the opportunity to deliver addressee on religious subjects. The services are already proving popular.

The number of volumes circulated" by the British and Foreign Bible Society last year was 9,357,000. This is 429.000 moro than in thp year prior to the outbreak of war. This world-wide, service for Christian misekins has been carried on practically unchecked, notwithstanding the fact that the costs of paper, printing, and binding have greatly increased since 1914.

At a Mansion House weekly pnryar meeting, the Rev. John McNeil said: "I have no objection to hymns, but if you push mc hard, give mc a song—Scots for preference. When I want to spread my wings and rise above this chaos I can get nothing better than the Psalms of David." Sir Arthur Yapp, who presided, told how an Australian soldier who was ■wonnded near Paesehendacle solaced himself as he lay upon a stretcher by singing "Lead, Kindly Light," although his voice was almost drowned by the roar of the guns.

The Southland PresbvteTy has confirmed the call tendered by St. Andrew's Church, Christehureh, to the Rev. R. M. Rvburn, of the First Church, Invercargill. Mr. Ryburn was born at Pan mure, and wae educated at the local school, also Newmarket, City East, and entered the Grammar School on a Junior Scholarship. Later he took a Senior Scholarship and the Somerville Theological Bursary. He took the MJI. degree with Honours in Mathematics. In 1916 he was Moderator of the General AseemWy of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.

The Bishop's message in the "Ohnrcb. Gazette" for October refers to the extent of the diooeee under his charge, and the need for an extra £5000 per annum if the work required is to be properly done. It ie pointed out that sum rwould enable 28 stipends to be augmented 'by £50 per annum, secure 12 additional ckrgy at £250 per annum each, and spend £600 per annum on extension work. The message emphasises file fact that the purchasing power of the sovereign has sunk to 13/. In the diocese seven clergymen received £300 or over, thirteen £250 up to £300, thirty-three between £200 and £250 and seventeen less than £200 per annnm. The total amount paid in stipends during the financial year was £10,222. Aβ the area of the diocese is 17,300 square milea, this does not average £1 per square mile. At the present time there are one hundred eettiemenie without Anglican

- Father Edmund McAuliffe, wno was attached to SL Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedra], Sydney, and went away with the Australian forces to the GaDipoli rTHnpaign and hat) subsequently done oervice as chaplain in England and France, returned to Australia recently with the nenk of majojr and the decoration of the Order of the British Empire. It is just four years since ho received his commission. Speaking at a welcome gathering Father McAuliffe said: "While I cannot hold up our Australian soldiers as models of discipline, I can honeetly and unreservedly praise them as fearless fighters. The American soldiers I saw in England while they were on their way to France were as fine a body of men as you would wieh to see. The Canadians I also admire very much. From the standpoint of physique and discipline, fie New Zealanders, I may add, would be haTd to beat anywhere. The New Zealanders are more careful about their appearance than our free and easy boys. The average Australian soldier thinks of nothing but the fighting side of war, and hie best qualities are brought out when he is facing the enemy and under heavy ehell fixe. 3^