WORK OF YOUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 279, 24 November 1928, Page 18

WORK OF YOUTH.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONTINUES. BIBLE CLASS MOVEMENT. St. David's Church was crowded last night, young pcoplo being very prominent, when the Presbyterian General Assembly resumed, to consider the report of tho Youth Committee, which was presented by the Rev. A. B. Kilroy, of Oamaru. Professor Hcwitson, Moderator, presided. The report showed that there were 5500 workers jn tho cause, and distinct progress had been made during the year. Twenty new Sunday schools had received help for six months free from

the Youth Office. Tho book room had given freo grants of Sunday school material to the. value of £20. Steady progress had been maintained in the home schools by correspondence. Altogether 116 homes were receiving literature from the Youth Office, and some 40 or 50 boys and girls were carrying on the correspondence course. The Maori

missionaries had been assisted with literature freo of cost. The training course for Sunday school teachers and Bible class leaders had made ' steady advance, and the number of students had increased greatly.

In regard to tho presbyteries, reports indicated that tho various plans of the Youtli Committee had received attention, new plans had been initiated, and activities generally had been most satisfactory. Successful meetings of Sunday school teachers and Bible "class meinbers had been held. An ever-increasing enthusiasm in the well-being of the cTiildrcn was manifest. Readjustments had been made in the scheme of working with Melbourne, and there was now smooth running after certain changes of organisation. The year had been successful as far as the Bible class union was concerned. Tho roll number was just over 3500, and the Church membership was 1105. The number joining the teaching staffs was 134. Teachers and Scholars. Statistical tables were presented showing that tho number of teachers had increased from 4374 to 4393, and the number of scholars decreased from 40,417 to 40,022. Junior Bible class members showed an increase of 200, and seniors had decreased by 82, the total standing at 13,216, and Sunday school teachers to tho number of 773 had boon supplied by the Bible classes.

The Moderator presented gold and silver medals won in Assembly examinations to the successful candidates or their representatives.

A review of the history of the Bible class movement was given by the travelling secretary, Mr. A. C. Whitelaw. Harmful influences threatened the youtli of the Dominion and the Bible class movement did much to counteract them. A vast Held was yet untouched, and a great work had yet to be carried out.

The Rev. Mr. Kilroy moved a dcliveranco_ expressing the Assembly's deep gratitude to Sunday school teachers and Bible class leaders for their service, and to the workers in the interests of the youtli of the Church. This was seconded by the Rev. T. W. Armour (Christchurch) and carried, both speakers testifying to tire self-sacrific-ing character of tho work being done. Appointments for representing the Assembly on the Religious Educational Council were made as follow:—Revs. J. A. Allan, W. Bower Black, J. Miller, R. M. Rybum and Messrs. W. H. Rose, and T. W. R. Hitt. On this council tho Church _ of England, Presbyterian, Methodist, and other Churches work together to help the young people. Sustentation Fund. Tho Sustentation Fund Committee reported that "the equal dividend lias been maintained at £295, but an advance to tho objective of £300 may be made if the report on finance to the present Assembly justifies the forward step." The grants in aid would have to be limited to a maximum of £05. If any congregation felt it was being over-assessed, reconsideration would be given an application through the presbytery concerned. Tho number of congregations that had received aid was 73, ,and the amount disbursed £2008, Tho report was presented by the Rev. John Pringlo (Dunedin).

Mr. John Mann, who is to work in the Maori mission field, was ordained as a minister of the Church. The ceremony was impressive.

An appreciative minute was adopted | of the work of the Rev. J. A. Asher, convener of tho Maori Mission Committee for the past eight years, The veteran Maori missionary, the Rev. .7. E. Ward, presented Mr.' Asher, on behalf of the staff, with a number of gifts, including a beautifully carved symbolic Maori walking stick.