PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 12965, 9 November 1906, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

TO-DAY'S BUSINESS. The Assembly met again at ten this morning, the .Moderator {the Rev. (*. B. Munro) presid.ng. The Rev. J. Comrie was appointed junior clerk pro tern., in the absence of the Rev. D. Borrie, who is iud.spised—the Rev. Air Gumming to assist Mr Comrie. The Revs. J. Chisholm and J. Collie were appointed to draw up a minute o’ tliaiJoi to the Rev. A. Cameron for his work in conned ion with the Thyolog.cul Hali Committee. The Rev. J. J. Cairncy moved the. adoption of the Sabbath Schools Examinations report, which stated, inter alia, that there was again an increac in the number of cntrants for examination this year. Though that increase was not so large us that of last year, it was encouraging to know that there was a steadily-growing interest in this branch of the Church work. The number of essays this year was tho largest on record, and was not far short of the total number received during tho preceding three years. Every Presbytery in New Zealand was represented except that of Duustan. 'The Committee dcs.red to place on record their appreciation of the faithful work done by llie Sabbath school teachers throughout the Church. In tho course of the discussion that followed on Mr Cairney’s motion, it was urged that the importance of Sunday school work demanded greater attention than, had been given to it in the past. It wa.s resolved that the report be received, and that Assembly express gratitude at the growing interest in the examination scheme. It was also resolved, after further discussion—(l) thud ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ replace ’The Men of the Covenant’ us (he subject of the essay • 12) that the Committee arrange every ve-or tor a two years’ course in tho Shorter Catechism ; and (3) that tho question of the day and month of tho examination bo referred to the Committee for reconsideration and report. Tho report on the training of homo missionaries rcriorted that as tho result of in quirv tho Committee had ascertained that six missionaries—viz.. Messrs J. P. Bathgate, R. M‘Dowa.ll. jun., D. Webster, E. Adams, F. Roller, and A. H. M’Kenzie—• wore affected bv the resolutions of Assemble (regarding trainin'-' that appeared to infict an injustice en agents in the Northern Church who had entered on their course prior to the union. If the regulation that extra-mural course must be comnlcted by 1903 wore insisted on, Messrs F. Rule and J. IT. M’Kenzio would be excluded from benefit, and the Committee recommended that their time should be extended to 1909.

The Rev. G. B. Injrlis, in the absence of the convener (Rev. Dr Erwin), moved that the ronort be received ; that Assembly narco that in the case of Messrs J. A. M'Kcnzio and F. Rule the time for completing extra-mural studies be extended to November, 1909: declare Messrs G. Bishon. ,T. A. M'Kenzio, I. Thomas,. F. Rule, and J. Lopdell missionaries in full standing, and instruct dorks of Presbyteries to su-- 1 ” the convener with a list of all home missionaries within their boundaries, and in the case of any who are not pursuing the course of studies prescribed by the Assemble, express an opinion as to whether there is any special reason why such missionary or missionaries should be exempt. The motion, was carded alter discussion.

j Mr -las. M'Korrow moved the adoption lof the Church propertv report, which ■ stated, inter alia that nearly the whole of the endowment funds were now invested in public securities for long periods. Sympathetic reference was made to the death of the late Mr Keith Rr.msay, and there was a long; list of the bequests made to the Church by the laic Mr Donald. Manson, of Kdrnkillie, Palmerston North.' The report was adopted. The report of the Committee on the New Century Fund was also adopted on the motion of Mr J. G. W. Aitkcn., j The Assembly meet again this evening.