PRESBYTERIAN CHAPLAINCIES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 228, 19 June 1908, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN CHAPLAINCIES.

— -Q ' " The following correspondence, tho outcome of a resolution- of the- laßt Presbyterian General Assembly,' concerning tho appointment of chaplains at Now Zealand ports, is published in this woek's "Outlook":— Wellington, . • . . . ' May 26, 1908. _ Rev. Sir,—With reference to the application of the Presbyterian Church of the Dominion of New Zealand for the appointment of certain clergymen as chaplains to .the British fleet, I nave tho honour, to acquaint you that I brought'tho matter under the notice of His Majesty's Principal, Secretary of State for the Colonies, through His'.Excellency the Governor,' who statedi that His Majesty's Government much appreciated tho anxiety ,of the Assembly to; minister to .tho spiritual needs of tho Presbyterian sailors on His Majesty's fleet-, while • in-..New - Zealand" waters, but the: Lords Commissioners of. tlio Admiralty regret that it wo.uld not. be in accordance with the' established' practico to. ' make svich appointments as are described, andsuggest that tho General Assembly • should nominate periodically cortain clergymen. at New' Zealand ports for s the pastoral oversight of Presbyterians serving on board His Majesty's Bhips. Their nomination should bo notified through tho Governor to tho Secretary of Stato, a lid the Lords Commissioners of tho Admiralty. would thon givo instructions to thp Admiral in command to socuro, that the clergymen should be afforded every facility by tho.officers commanding to minister to the mon .belonging to the Presbyterian ■ Church. It is also added that this' is .tho system at present followed by tho Wesloyans in New Zealand.—l havo tho honour to bo, sir, . ■ Your obedient servant, J. G. WARD. Jbe Moderator, General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. 58 Walker Street, 'Dunedin, ' '.'.'l I'. .Juno .9, 1908. Tho Right Hon. Sir Joseph G. Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G., Prime Minister, Wellington. Sir, —I tn'ank you for your favour of 26tb ■nit., received by me on 2nd inst., relativo to the application by the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand to the Admiralty, in connection with chaplaincies at porta visited by His Majesty's ships. I havo the honour to state that tho suggestion by tho Lords-Commissioners o£ the Admiralty will bo duly submitted to tho next General Assembly of"" tho Presbyterian Church. I may. say that the "suggestion is quito in accordanco with the request of the General Assdmbly of 190G, as follows:— ' That tho Assembly approach tho Admiralty, asking that ono Presbyterian ' minister, resident at each port visited ' by His Majesty's ships, may have access as honorary chaplain, or otherwise, to those connected with the Presbyterian Church. (Proceedings, ' 1906, minuto 119.) I am sure tho General Assembly will record its thanks to the Admiralty, and will duly follow tho course advised, —I have tho honour to bo, sir, Yours faithfully, ALEX. DON, Moderator.