SIXTH DAY'S SITTING.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 120, 17 November 1902, Page 6

SIXTH DAY'S SITTING.

The sixth day's pitting of the Assembly began at 10 o'clock this morning, the Moderator (Rev. James Paler&on) presiding. Messrs. Keith Ram&ay (Dunedin) and H. Kaye (Christuhurch) iveie appointed Church Property Trustees, vice Mesa-*. John Deans and James Smith (deceased). The report on church, records -was adopted. The Committee on Applications ±or Admission to the Ministry recommended the licensing of the following home inissioners and evangelists :— R. Gardner (ilawkes Bay), James M'Caw (Wellington), James Catherwood (Dunediu). J. G. Chappie (Eltham) to be licensed on completing his three-year course. The Revs, -ames Paltison, M. M'Boaald, and Peter Wilson 1 to be admitted as ministers. James Wilson (Queenstown) as a probationer. That the Rev. J. M\&rtb.ur, from Canada, and Rev. A. Laishley, from England, be admitted to the ministry after they luive served a year's probation. Tliese "recommendations were adopted. A deputation from tbe Wellington MinisteKs' Association.— consisting of Revs. W. C. Ofiver and B. L. Thomas — conveyed heant-y greetings to the Assembly, aad congratulations to the Rev. J. Paterson upon his attainment of the Moderatorship. Mr. Oliver referred to the coming together of the evangelical churches of the colony in unity, ai|d expressed the opinion that tho unity of the churches was not as far away as some people seemed to think. Mr. Thomas said the amalgamation of churches in the colony should work for good. The Rev. D. "J. Murray, President of the, Wesleyan Conference, also offered his congratulations. Ho said the Wesleyan Methodist Church -would give the Presbyterian CJisircii a hearty welcome — when ifc wan ready to be absorbed. (Laughter.) A vote of thanks to the deputation was moved by the Rev. Hugh Kelly, M.A. (Auckland). The motion declared that the Assembly rejoiced in the growing spirit of unity abroad among the churches. In seconding the motion, the Rev. J. Gibb (Dunedin) said the day was surely coming -when there would be a union of the -whole of the evangelical churches of the colony. After the Moderator had also replied, the motion was carried. The report of the Committee on the Home Mission Scheme — the discussion' upon which was interrupted by adjournment of Saturday's session — was further discussed, and finally adopted with amendments. Accepted home missioncrs are to be ordained as elders, and have power to perform the marriage ceremony, baptise, and dispense the Lord's supper. Under the new scheme qualilied students can begin their studies at once. It was decided to grant Mr. William Stewart, an ex-home missionary of Dunedin, a pension of £40 per annum. Thanks were given to the ex-Moderator and the Moderator for their respective addresses. The Assembly at 1 o'clock adjourned until 7 o'clock this evening. At 8 o'clock the Foreign Missions report is to be read, and several interesting addresses on missionary work are to follow the reading of the report.