PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8093, 15 February 1892, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION* TELEGRAM.)

AUCKLAND, February 13. At a meeting of the Presbyterian Assembly to-day, tbe Committee appointed to coneider the financial bearings of tbe Foreign Mission report before its adoption, reported that the matter h*d been carefully considered. They recommended thaV the Church should agree to the appointment of a third missionary, and urged upon the congregatioue anincrease of liberality in view of the moreaeed responsibility. The recommendations of the Committee were adopted with an additional clause, providing in tin event of the Rev. Mr Feirlie being unable U proceed to the islands that tho Committee after consulting with all parties, and being eatiefied that it would pot involve tin Church in any greater expenses, **• |fc (is deeirable in the interests of the mlealoß tc appoint lay missionaries, they be empowered to do so."

The report by the Temperance Com* mittee was read by the Rev. Mr Wood in the absence of the convener, the Rev. J. K. Elliott.

In the course of tho discussion that took place on tho subject, the llov, Mr Gordon expressed tho opinion that a man who drank in moderation was more dangeroui an example to the weaker brethren than one who was seen staggering along the street.

The Rev, Mr Ogg interrupting the speaker from the chair, urged him to be careful in the use of his language, an he wai attacking respected gentlemen. The Rev. Mr Gordon, continuing, said he knew what he was talking about. Hβ knew that young men when asked to join the Church had pointed to othere within the fold who were taking too much drink. It was timo the ministers, eldera and church members should take their etend upon temperance. The report was adopted. The report of the Church Property Board etated that the Trustees found muct difficulty in obtaining satisfactory securities, and for the present preferred to take batik interest for a proportion of the funds. • It was noted with satisfaction that there was a considerable increase from year to year in the provident funds of the Church.' Cfho report was adopted. ■ The Committee appointed to consider the desirability of appointing delegates to the Pan-Presbyterian Council at Toronto recommended that the Assembly grant permission to Dr. Elmslio, provided he eeea hie way to go. It was resolved on the motion of the Rev. Mr Gillies, " That thin Assembly expretsa its sympathy with the aims of the alliance of the reformed churohas, and its gratification at the result* already gained by its means, and appoint* the Moderator as our representative at the approaching meeting at the pan-Presbyterian Council, the necessary expense to be provided by private effort, and failing this, authorise the Moderator and clerk to grant admission to any- minister or elder of this church wh# may find it possible to go to thie oounciL"