PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD

Evening Star, Issue 15138, 20 March 1913, Page 9

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD

The following business was transacted yesterday afternoon:— / —Knox College.The Bov. Mr Cameron moved—- “ That an interim Act bo framed iii these terms: That with a view to supplementing the college revenue, so that it may be used for the maintenance of Knox College, this Synod resolve to instruct the Board of Property to transfer from the Ecclesiastical Fund the sum of £250 per. annum for five years to the college account towards the payment of the salary of the professor of ■theology in Knox College.’ The Rev. Mr Clarke moved as an amendment—“ That, in the opinion of this Synod, this matter ho met through the Assembly’s Expenses Fund, and that congregations be assessed to meet the deficiency of the collections.” The amendment was supported by 23 votes ami the motion by 12, and the amendment, being put as the substantive motion, was lost by 18 to 11. It was resolved by a majority to allow Air Kilpatrick to bring up another motion, and he accordingly moved—‘‘That the necessary steps he taken to instruct the Church Board of Propei'ty to pay £2so—namely, that an interim Act . he passed to authorise the said board to pay from the Ecclesiastical Fund the sum of £250 for the payment of Professor Dickie’s salary for one year* so that the college revenue may bo increased by that sum for the maintenance of Knox College.” The Bev. Air Kinmont seconded the motion, which was carried bv 20 votes to 14. The Bev. Air Finlayson moved—- “ The Synod, having considered the request of the General Assembly for cooperation in tlie present difficulty regarding the collection for Knox College, and having found that half of the congregations within the bounds failed to make the appointed collection last year, direct the Presbyteries to take steps to secure, that all the congregations shall have the opportunity of contributing to the collection; further, the Synod cordially recommend those to whom God has given the means to aid the endowment fund of Knox College.” Last year, said Air Finlayson, out of 96 congregations within the bounds of Otago and Southland, 49 failed to make the collection. He believed the proportion of congregations in the North who had also failed to make the collection was proportionate]v large. The Rev. AI. Steven seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. —Finance Committee.— The following applications for grants were approved ;—For new churches : Anderson’s Bay, Clifden, and Invercargill (Knox Church). For enlargement of churches; Opoho, Limestone Plains, and Alataura. Permission was given to the North Invercargill congregation to sell their church site and to buy a. more convenient one. Applications from Beaumont and Clydevalo for glebes were approved. The .Riverton congregation asked for leave to sell four sections and the old manse, arid to build a new manse in brick or concrete on the remaining land.—Agreed to. A grant was approved for Chalmers Church.. The Factor's accounts were laid on the table and received. The Bev. Air Sutherland (convener) stated that since the accounts were closed the sum of £1,200 had been transferred from the Ecclesiastical Fund to the fund from which church grants were paid. ‘Hie following Church Erection and Finance Committee were appointed:— Ecvs. Sutherland (convener), Chisholm, Gumming, Evans, Nichol, Adams, >L. Aliller, and Alessrs D. Barron and AV. L. Craig. —St. Margaret’s College.— On the motion of the Bev. G. H. Balfour it was resolved—“ That the -Synod, having the consent of their Theological Committee, authorise the Church Board of Property to accept £2OO in part payment of the purchase money for sections 17 and 18, block 30, -Dunedin '(theological manse), and to leave the balance of purchase money or mortgage.” Air AA. S. Fitzgerald (convener of the College Committee) made a statement as to the successful work of the college, both educationally and financially. It was unanimously agreed to thank Air Fitzgerald lor his excellent services in connection with the college. EVENING SESSION. —Sunday School Work.— A conference was held in the evening to consider the subject ‘ The Sunday School in Its True Relation to the Church.’ The Moderator (Bev. R. Fairmaid) presided. There was a ■moderate attendance of members of Synod, and only a small number of .Sunday school workers, but the discussion was interesting and helpful, those who spoke being the Aloderator, the Rev. J. S. Ponder, Bev. J. Chisholm, Bev. P. C. Durward, Bev. Gray Dixml, Rev. J. Collie, and Mr John Beid. It \yas resolved—“ That the Synod tender their heartiest thanks to the or i/ener and the various brethren who have addressed them, and regret that other attractions , have kept so many from enjoying the lessons of the beautiful and helpful topics touched upon by the speakers.” —General.— . T l,p Committee on the State of Religion ’’were reappointed (Bev. Mr Ponder, convener). On the motion of the Rev. Air Clarke, seconded by the Rev. AV. Gray Dixon, if was resolved—“ That this Synod most heartily approve of the proposal of the Bible in State Schools Leiigii'., and most earnestly commend tnis matter to the prayers and active interest ot all our office-bearers and people, and implore tho divine Head ■ 4 ihe Church that Ho may abundantly blocs the movement until it Leiov.acd with success.” The members of the Assembly’s Committee on the Theological College were appointed the Synod’s Committee cn the same matter. A \ote of thanks was accorded the 1 res?, for reports of the Synod’s mcetT tie Synod adjourned until the Tues■l i,v or lore Easter next year.