PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 7449, 18 February 1888, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

A report was presented on statistics for ISSG, the reason being that the census was issued m April 1887, and by moans of it the Presbyterians could’ form a better judgment of the adequacy of their church work than they could m the intervening year. In 1880 there were 102 churches, 100 other preaching places, 89 ministers in full charge, IB without charges. The attendance was reported as 19,000; communicants, 7,.'D0 ; Sabbath scholars, 10,81/ ; teachers, 1,120; Bible classes, 1,701, Hie money contributed for all purposes was L1E,145; for schemes of the church, T/Jn9; for ordinary congregational purposes, E2n,125 , for paying off debts and other outside purposes, LO,OOO. The report complained of the large proportion of non-churchgoers among tho Presbyteiians. The report was adopted with a recommendation to presbyteries to overtake the non-churchgoing population. The Rev. Mr Doull read the report of the Maori Committee, who stated that the work is very encouraging, anti the Maoris ready to converse regarding spiritual things. Jhe Committee had not been able to secure a third a rrent, as the contribution last year had only been Ls(i 13s 7d. The report expressed thanks to the sister cliurcli in Otago for a grant of Lot) last year. Tho Rev. Mr Davidson, moderator ot the Otago Synod, and the Rev. Mr Inglia addressed the Assembly. From the foreign mission report it appeared that the work of the missionaries on tho Few Hebrides is being prosecuted with great zeal and success. The Natives arc generally filendly and anxious to iiear about the Gospel. Ihe total amount contributed last year by all cmgregations was L 450, a larger sum than ever before. The report expressed great regret that the Rev. C. Murray, missionary on the Island of Arnbrim, had felt it his duty to sever Ins connection with the New Tlebiides mission, Tho Rev. Mr Murray, who was present, gave an account of his work on Ambrim. _ Tho Rev. ■William Gillies moved the adoption of the report, aud proposed that Mr and Mrs Watt be granted leave of absence for twelve months on full salary. This was agreed to.