PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 280, 26 November 1928, Page 10

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

BOARD OF EDUCATION. COLLEGES IMPORTANT INSTITUTIONS. PRAISE FOR REV. DR. GIBB. Educational subjects occupied the attention of the General Assembly of the Presebyterian Church this morning. Professor Hewiteon (Moderator) presided. The Rev. W. R. Hutchison (Rangiora) submitted the Board of Education report. This stated that the colleges were fulfilling an important function in the life of the Church and the nation. The colleges were taking an honourable place among the secondary schools, in scholarship, athletics and character-building. There were encouraging signs that the wave of financial depression was passing, but the burden of debt of the college boards was still heavy. If the Church would raise a substantial endowment fund the colleges could "lengthen their cords and strengthen their stakes." There was an absence of superannuation provision for the teachers. They should look forward to the day when some of their talented young men and women would offer themselves for service in the Church schools in the same spirit that actuated missionaries in the Maori and foreign fields.

Service to Colleges. In seconding the report the Rev. W. Bower Black (Christchurch) said he could not see why the Church should not be able to give service in the Church colleges in the same spirit as the young men joined the ministry. Teachers should be fully equipped academically and from a Christian standpoint. Until the latter obtained the Church schools would be no higher than the public schools. He would have no hesitation in calling upon the young men to look to the Church colleges as a sphere where they might worthily serve the Master. Professor Hewitson said that the Minister of Education had said that there was a distinct place for the Church colleges in the educational system of the country. He paid a tribute to the Rev. Dr. Gibb for the work he had done for the Church and the colleges of the Church. (Applause.) He should carry wifh him <$ie goodwill and the gratitude of those he had endeavoured to serve. Special reference was also made by the Moderator to Miss Margaret Mollison, formerly matron of Knox College. The report was adopted, also a deliverance expressing appreciation of the work done by the colleges and conveying congratulations to the boards, principals and staffs on the results achieved and convevinT to Miss Mollison and the Rev. Dr. Gibb the thanks of the Assembly for devoted services to the colleges. Resolutions of Sympathy. Mention was made of the death by drowning of the son of the Rev. T. W. Armour, of Knox Church, Christchurch, and of the illness of the Reve. George Laehore (Whanearei), M. Miller (Hellensvillle), J. C. Paterson (Oatnaru), and others, and resolutions of sympathy were passed in each instance, heartening letters to be, bent from .the Assembly. (Proceeding.)