THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 267, 10 November 1937, Page 6

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The Presbyterian Church in New Zealand, like the Dominion itself, is approaching its centenary celebrations, and the thought of it will be often in the minds of the delegates to the General Assembly, which opens in Auckland to-night. Since its earliest days in New Zealand —and its intimate association with the colonisation of Otago need only be mentioned —the Church has been constantly vigorous in philanthropic and educational, as well as in religious, activities, and the extent, though not the depth, of its influence can be guuged by the very large and varied amount of administrative business which the General Assembly is called to consider. The quality of its influence is not to be measured, but it is continually felt. In - this age, when so much in the sphere of religions belief, as in other spheres, is constantly subjected to weakening influences, or is aggressively attacked, the task of any Christian Church is at leat»t as difficult as it has ever been in the past, and the spirit in which Christian leaders approach that task is of vital importance. The Presbyterian Church, traditionally, thinks hard and long upon its problems, and, its mind and conscience resolved, it does not yield. It has in |consequence been, and it remains, a strong and stabilising influence in the community. Aucklanders, in welcoming the General Assembly, will heartily wish it success in its deliberations, the progress of which will be followed with interest.