THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9339, 13 February 1896, Page 3

THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

(press association TE£ZC]tA&r»} *#vary 12. The Presby&eriaa "Assembly resumed this moruiug. ' :i

The Rev. Mr Stubbs, who brought a commission from the Free Church of Sootland, was associated with the Assembly.

The Rev. R. Wood (Wellington) brought up the report of the Committee on the state of religion and morals, which, after dealing with Church attendance and Suuday school statistics, said that family worship and the congregdttioual prayer meetings must again be reported ou iv the eomore terms of former years as nob having generally taken root in t'ue Church. Sabbath breaking had been attended by an appalling sacrifice of life amongst those seeking pleasure iv shooting and boating. The vice of impurity was stiil with us. The police here and there had enforced the criminal code, and crushed houses of ill-fame, aud good had resulted. But what was wanted was a revival of puritanism. Gratification was expressed that Parliament had thrown out the Bank of New Estates Company lottery scheme. The Committee suggested 1. " That there should be reference in their preaching to set forth the nature of infant baptism, and the duty of parents who take upon themselves the vows in baptism in relation to the Church and to their ohildren." 2. " That the Assembly authoritatively declares that church lotteries are inexpedient, and should be discountenanced at sales of work." 3. "That this Committee be instructed to take Btep3 to get Mr W. Hutchison's Bill 'Restraint ou Incitement to Betting' introduced into Parliament next session, and to draw up a petition to Parliament in favour of the same ; further that Preabyteries be enjoined in co-operation with other churches to get this petition signed and pres6ated to both Houses of Parliament, and in other ways they see fit to oppose the clamant evil of gambling." The Rev. D. Gordon (Marton) iv moving the adoption of the report, regretted the lore of pleasure on the part of youog people, and denounced lotteries at church bazaars as being really gambling, as also did the Bey. C. Murray (Marton), who seconded the motion. The Wanganui Presbytery -forwarded an overture, suggesting that the Assembly should take steps to discountenauco the holding of lotteries by congregations. The Rev. J. Paterson (Wellington) proposed that the Assembly should adopt the recommendation of the Committee as to lotteries. He was exceedingly sorry to find that there wao so mucii gambling on racecourses. In St. John's Church no lotteries were held, because it was considered they were not expsdicnt. The IW. C. S. Ogg (Wellington), iv seconding the motion, said that in the present state of the law it was.impossible to get certain without going in for lotteries ; and some ine.ubors of the church, who were against church lotteries, went in for land lotteries, aud also got their families to go in for them. Nothiugr that was done in connection with church baziars increased the vice of gambling. The Rev. J. Treadwell (Wanjjanui) moved as an amendment— "That this Assembly having heard and considered the overture, do distinctly declare that they disapprove in toto of the use of lotteries for raising money in aid of Church objects, and emphatically direct the office bearers of connot; to c nploy such means." The Rev. R. Erwin (Chriatehurch) seconded the amendment, which was carried by a large majority. The further consideration of the report on the jjtatftQf.jreligjpjßL and morals was deferred. ;

The Eeva. T. Walla, D. McDouf»all,jj J. Millar Smith, J. Griffiths, A. McLean and H. A. Lewis applied to lie admitted to the ministry, and a Committee was set up to enquire into the applications. < The Assembly adjourned at 1.30 p.m. until 7 p.m. In the evening, the Church Extension Committee reported that 56' charges and preaching stations had received grants from the fund. Increased interest iv this important fund had been proved by increased contribution. The total income this year was £739, and the balance from last year £316, making £1055; the xotaiexpenditure was £757. The report was adopted. j A recommendation to raise funds chase sites for Church purposes where new distriots were being opened , up for settlement was considered. , .

The report of the Sabbath Schools' Teachers' Examination Committee, submitted by the Rev. McKenzie, of Nelson, was adopted. The examination will be held on October 27th.

The Rev. A. Cameron and the Rev. D. Hutton were received as deputies from the Synod of Otago and Southland, and were welcomed by the Moderator in the name of the Assembly.