PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8097, 13 February 1892, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(PEES 3 ASSOCIATION TELEGKAM).

AUCKLAND, February 12.

At thei Presbyterian General Assembly,

The reports of the Maori and Chinese missions were adopted, and it was decided to separate the funds in future, making annual collections for the Maori mission, but opening a special account for Chinese missions, so that all moneys specially given may be devoted thereto. The remainder of the sitting was devoted to hearing able addresses from Professor Dunlop, deputy from Otago, on ".The Work and Influence of the Christian Church,'' and Dr Lamb on •'The New Hebrides Mission."

The annual report of the Foreign Mission Committee stated that the fund was in a better financial position than last year, and -was now in credit £1600. The collections amounted to £459. The Rev. Scott West moved the adoption of the report, bat the Rev. Mr Sidey moved as an amendment—" That prior to the adoption of the foreign mission report the whole question of finance be referred to a special Committee, consisting of the ministers and elders from the various Presbyteries."

The amendment was carried.

r The Rev. James Doul said since his Committee's report on Sabbath schools had been furnished he had received a greater number of schedules, viz., ,'seventy-one, than had been in the hands of : the Convener at any previous Assembly. yThese seyenty-one returns were with regard to 148 schools, with a roll number of 10,778,; and an average attendance of 8157. The. teachers in these schools numbered 460 males and 691 females. There had been raised, according to forty-seven returns, £22814 asd for mission purposes, and according to fifty-two returns £872 13s 9d for library and other purposes. One very pleasing feature which the schedule gave evidence of was the increasing attention given to the young in the ordinary services on the Sabbath Day. ; Rev. Mr Treadwell moved the adoption of the following minute, which was the one the Committee specially appointed for the pur- ■ pose had prepared:—" That this Assembly having heard, along with all the rest of the Christian Church, of the lamented death of the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, of London, resolve to place on record an expression of the feeling evoked by the event. That feeling is one of very sincere gratitude and very real sorrow. The Assembly recognise that in the removal of Mr Spurgeon a minister of Christ has passed away who belonged not to a section of the Church but the Church universal... They look back with the utmost thankfulness on his now closed life, its •Bundaht labours, its unlimited devotion, and the increase it has given to the Lord's! cause in all the different parts of the world, and in common with all parts of the Church evangelical they feel themselves stricken ■with great loaa. They would wish to offer? their most sympathetic condolences to the* bereaved widow and sons of Mr Spurgeon and to the great congregation to which he for many years belonged as pastor." The motion was agreed to. ; : A conversazione was held in St. John's, Ball to'iiight, the Moderator,, Dr. Elinslie, presiding, which', was largely attended.