THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 119, 15 November 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

FOURTH DAY. EVENING SESSION. The Assembly resumed at 7 p.m. yesterday, when the Rev. Andrew Cameron (Dunedin) presented the report of THE COLLEGE COMMITTEE, As prepared by Dr. Watt, who said it gave him pleasure to report to the committee that the session just closed has, in some important respects, been a notable one. The number of students in attendance had been larger than in any previous session. What is even more important, a noticeably warm religious I spirit pervaded the entire body of the students. So much was this the case that he felt assured the result would be manifest in their future labours. The church had also reason to congratulate itself on the high average ability and culture of its students. In the list of students who were in attendance, six are graduates, and of these fi-'e' are first and second-class honours men, all of whom distinguished themselves in their university course. He had been more than satisfied with the ability, diligence, and general tone of those attending the classes. The quality of the papers produced in the four written examinations, 'held in the course of the session was a gratifying proof that the students as a whole had given themselves heartily, and with good effect, to their studies. Some of the papers were of a very h;gh order of excellence. After specifying the names of the winners of bursaries, etc., Mr. Cameron acknowledged three gifts — viz., £310 from a member of Knox Church, who sought anonymity ; £1000 from Mrs James Clark, to be known as the "/ James Clark Scholarship," in memory of her respected husband, long time Minister of the Palmerston South Church ; and another of £50 from the Knox Church in continuance of their Elders' Bursary for another term of two years. The following recommendation was received with applause : — " Your committee thinks the time has fully come when Dr. Watt's services to the church should be acknowledged by his being placed in the position of professor without the charge of a congregation. With un wearing patience and faithfulness, Dr. Watt has carried the double burden, from part of which he should now be relieved. In order to secure this the committee asks the Assembly to express its opinion that it is desirable for the fuller equipment of the Hall- that Dr. Watt should be released from the pa&toral charge of Green Island, and set apart to the work of his professorship, ■ and that the committee be empowered to ask the Synod to vote an adequate salary to Dr. Watt as professor." These recommendations were agreed to on the voices, -it being promised that Mr. Mawson, who had pa&sed all his -course of study, including the Chinese language, should have an opportunity of addressing the Assembly when the report of Foreign Missions was under discussion. A suggestion was made that Mr. Mawson should be ordained during the session of Assembly, but the Foreign Missions Committee had previously decided that this function could not take place till the Otago Synod sat and just prior to his leaving for the Chinese fission field. The same committee's report also stated that the necessity for the erection of a new college has been long fell, and anew emphasised by the over-crowded state of the lecture room this year. To the erection of a college worthy of the church, the committee thinks the whole church should now set it&elf. Such a building should bo first for' tho Theological Hall, and then should provide accommodation for students attending the university in all the faculties. Such a residential college, under proper supervision, would be of inestimable value, not only to our students for the ministry, but also for those studying for other professions. The great gift of £10,000 by a friend of the church for the erection of fciich a college may well stir the whole church to united effort, so as to secure the speedy erection of a noble lesidential college. A site of ten acres, conveniently situated to the university, is in the possession of the Synod, and should be available for the purpose of a college. Tke committee recommended the Assembly to invite the Synod to take all necessary bteps in conjunction witli a. committee of Assembly to secure the site mentioned, and the speedy election of a residential college on the same.

In urging this recommendation, Mr. Cameron pointed out that bis desire was to see the residential coHege made a home for students of every profession, whose companionship would tend to elevate each other, and the> friendships formed in college and university would do much to assist the ministry, as well as to elevate the tone of the whole of the 'students. Mi". Cameron was about to put a resolution dealing with the subject, when the Rev. J. Gibb said he desired to move quite a, different one to Mr. Cameron's, but which would embody all that gentleman desired. He then read the motion, as follows : " The Assembly desires to record its appreciation of the services rendered to the cause of theological study by the convener of the committee, the. Rev. Andrew Cameron, his- manifold efforts to promote the interests of the Theological Hall by securing an adequate supply of scholarships for deserving men, and to create a, fund for building a residential coHege for the students of the church are deserving of the highest praise. To the donors of scholarships, and especially to the gentleman who has donated the magnificent sum of £10,000 towards the erection of the college, the Assembly tenders its warmest thanks. Of all that has been done and is under contemplation, Mr. Cameron is the mainspring. The Assembly expresses its confident expectation that, aided by the generosity of the people, his efforts will presently result in the institution of such a number of scholarships as will be adequate to our needs, and in the structure which will be worthy of the denomination, and of the great cause to which it will be dedicated — the education of the future ministers of the church. The Assembly asks the Synod of Otago and Southland, in conjunction with the Assembly's Committee, to secure the site in question, and forthwith to take all needful steps towards enlisting the sympathies of the people of the church in this great undertaking, and so to obtain the funds needful for its completion. In the event of these being forthcoming, the Assembly empowers the committee to proceed with the work." The Rev. A. M. Finlayson seconded ttie motion, which was carried with applause. SCHOLARSHIPS., The Rev. Dr. Sidey presented the report on the scholarships, and the committee was thanked and their report was adopted. "THE OUTLOOK." The Rev. " J. Gibb submitted the report on the publication of the Outlook committee, which highly complimented the acting-editor, Mr. A. H. Grinling, on the manner in which he had done his work. It expressed its thanks to the Rev. Dr. Waddell for his valuable services by his able editorship of the Outlook during a period of crrer seven years. Tke Assembly adopted the Rev. Ji Gibb's deliverance on this report, which embodied the appointment of Mr. Grinling as editor for three months, for leave to appoint a permanent editor, and that the editor's salary for the future be £100. Mr. Gibb* said "he thought it most likely that Mr. Grinling would be permanently appointed, but he declined to pledge himself or the committee on that point. The Assembly adjourned at 10.25 p.m. till 10 a.m. to-day.