PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD

Evening Star, Issue 22628, 21 April 1937, Page 16

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD

FINANCIAL YEAR REVIEWED MANY APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS The Presbyterian Synod resumed its annual session yesterday afternoon. MODERATOR-DESIGNATE. The Rev. H. T. Blair (Oamarn) and the Rev. R. I). M‘Ewau (Edendale) were nominated for office as Moderatordesignate, Mr M'Ewan being elected. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Mr J. Mi Dick submitted the report of the Finance Committee, which stated that the available surplus from the educational fund on December 31 last was £939 17s 2d. One-half of this was paid to the board of John M'Glashan College ami one-half to the board of Colmnba College. Consideration was also given to the overture from the Presbytery of Central Otago concerning the appointment of an inspector of church buildings. It was obvious that the expenses which would bo incurred would be considerable. There were 223 churches and 113 manses within the bounds. An inspection of these, whenever a quinquennial grant was due, would mean 67 inspections on an average per annum. An inspector of_ churches and manses had been appointed in 1923, but the office was discontinued after a few years. In most cases the inspector could only tell a congregation what was quite well known already, and could give no better advice than any local tradesman could have given on the spot. The largo number of applications for grants was mainly due to the fact that many congregations put off building operations on account of the lack of funds during the late depression. Little had been gained by the delay. Now, when funds may have improved, prices had so increased that the larger costs were as difficult to meet as the smaller costs would have been some years ago. The ecclesiastical fund and the manse reserve fund showed a temporary surplus because many congregations did not apply for assistance from them at the end of the usual quinquennial periods. In many cases replies were long overdue and would entail all the greatef expenditure. The committee recommended the Synod to amend the regulations so that the quinquennial grant in each case might be at the rate of £ for £ up to £SO. Increases in the number of claims and in the .amount of taxation had kept the committee from going further in the meantime in the direction of recommending increases in the grants for churches and manses. A discussion followed the presentation of the report, and it was then decided that the Synod should take no steps in the meantime as regards the appointment of a building inspector. Any expenses in connection with the inspections of church buildings may bo included in the total costs, each congregation to pay its proportion, in terms of the relevant regulations. The proposed amendment of the regulations governing the quinqhennial grant was approved. GRANTS. Grants were approved as follows ; Green Island, £95; Caversham, £500; Waitati, up to £500; Waikouaiti, £ for £ up to £25; Ravensbourne, £ for £ up to £25; Brighton, £25 and balante of cost of repairs to manse; Kaka Point, £120; Papatowai, £25; AVaikaia, £25, plus ordinary grant; AVaikiwi, £25, plus ordinary grant; Middlemarch, £4OO (new manse); Waipiata, £450 (new manse) ; Oturehua, £200; Omakau, £SOO (new manse); Pembroke, £450 (new manse); Lowburn, £l5O (new church); Hawea Flat, £ for £ up to £6OO (new church); Alexandra, £SO; Naseby, £25. A special grant of £3OO in addition to the ordinary grant for a new church at Miller’s Flat was declined.

It was decided to make a special grant of up to £SOO for a new manse or reconstruction of the old one at Roxburgh, subject to approval of an architect’s report by the Finance Committee.

Ordinary grants in terms of regulations were made as follow for church maintenance: —Dunedin Presbytery: Deborah Bay,, Maori Hill, North Taieri, Wakari, Opoho (new church). Clutha Presbytery: Hillend, Lovell’s Flat, Rae’s Junction, Clydevale, Milburn, Pueruai. Oamaru Presbytery; Ardgowan, Hampden, Totara, Weston, Windsor. An application from Totara for enlargement of the vestry was declined. Presbytery of Southland; Athol, Browns, Five Rivers, Heddon Bush, South Hillend, Kennington, Otautau, Pine Bush, Riverton, Stewart Island, Thornbury, Waikiwi, Woodlands, Nightcaps (enlargement of manse). An application from Winton for a grant for enlargement of the manse was declined. Presbytery of Mataura: Crookston, Dunrobin, Heriot, Knapdale, Otama, Wendon Valley. Central Otago Presbytery: Lauder, Miller’s Flat, Lowburn. GENERAL. The Special Arrangements Committee was thanked and discharged. It was decided that the duties performed by it should be undertaken by an enlarged Bills and Business Committee. It was decided to convey the congratulations of synod to the Presbytery of Central Otago, and Mr W. J. Bennett on the success attending the publication of the Rev. A. Don’s book, ‘ Memories of the Golden Road.’ THEOLOGICAL HALL. The Rev. G. L. Taylor presented the report of the Theological Hall Committee. It stated that there were 36 men in the hall. Sixteen would finish this year, of whom probably only 13 would be available for charges after licensing. To supply the requirements of the church an average of about 15 men was required for each year. There were about 40 at the various universities, and that would scarcely average 10 a year entering the hall. “It is clear that wo are needing more students,” continued the report. “ However, the quality must not be lowered in order to increase the quantity. The present standard must bo .maintained, and ministers should be on the look-out for likely men. “ Through the generous benefaction of Miss M'Cready, of Roslyn, £I,OOO will bo received to establish a new scholarship. “ This will be the last regular Synod at which Professor John Collie will be present before his retirement from tho Chair of New Testament studies. The Theological Hall Committee deeply regrets tho approach of tho day when Professor Collie will no longer have a share in moulding the spiritual and mental outlook of tho students. To a rare degree ho has combined intellectual equipment and insight with spiritual devotion, and could not have failed to have left his impress on the lives of those who have been fortunate enough to attend his classes. The committee hopes that he might long be spared in health and strength, and that the evening of bis life might give him many opportunities of serving the dmrcli ho has loved and served so faithfully.”

The Rev. S. C. Francis queried the wisdom of the earlier decision that professors should retire at 65. Professor Collie, ho said, was in the fullness of his power’s, and the reference to the “ evening of his life ” was scarcely apt. “ Late afternoon ” might have been more appropriate. The following were appointed to the Theological Hall Committee : —The Revs. D. C. Herron (convener), J. J. Cairney, R. T. Dodds, J. G. S. Dunn, S. C. Francis, G. H. Jupp, T, Miller, H. A. Mitchell, R. G. M'Dowall, H. J. Ryburn, A. C. W. Standage, J. D. Smith, G. L. Taylor, AV. Trotter, Dr J. R. Elder, Messrs AV. Allan, P. Foote, J. Moir, A. H. AVilliamson, and H. P. AVest. TRUST FUNDS. In accordance with his notice of motion, the Rev. J. D. Smith moved: “ Thgt the Synod set up a special committee to investigate the situation and bring down recommendations concerning the Acts governing the administration of trust funds in order to meet the requirements of the church in the changed situation of to-day.” After discussion the motion was carried. It was pointed out that there was a feeling that the limitations imEosed on the trusts had a tendency to amper the activities to a certain extent and prevented it from carrying out some things it wished to do. The speakers stressed the fact that no reflection was intended on the present boards, which were composed of men of high integrity and_ ability. The committee is to consist of the Revs. J. G. S. Dunn (convene!’), D. C. Herron, R. 6. M‘Dowall, J. D. Smith, Dr J. Gumming, Messrs AV. Allan, J. M. Dick, AV. H. Adams, and F. Foote. REFRESHER COURSE. During the evening Dr E._N. Herrington gave the first of a series of lectures to be provided as a refresher course. Further lectures were given to-day. FOREIGN MISSIONS. The Rev. H. H. Barton submitted the report of the Foreign _ Missions Committee, which emphasised the necessity of continuous and intensive education in the various aspects of missionary enterprise. It was hoped that the committee would be able to do something to promote these ends in Otago and Southland. Mr J. Hunter, publicity agent of the Foreign Missions Committee of the General Assembly, the Rev. G. Calder, Now Zealand representative of the London Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and Mr J, Grant spoke to the report. * The report was adopted, and the following were appointed to comprise the Foreign Missions Committee: —The Revs. H. H. Barton, J. M. M'Kenzie, H Bowman, Messrs J. Kirkness and R. Allan, the president and secretary of the Oamaru Presbyterian Association, and one representative of the Young Men’s Bibio Class Association Committee. CHURCH EXTENSION. The Church Extension Committee’s report, which was presented by the Rev. R. G. M'Dowall, stated, inter alia, that the interest from the Jubilee Fund, amounting to £395 12s fid, bad been paid as usual into the Assembly’s Homo Mission Fund. The committee recommended that the interest be disposed of in the same way at the close of the current financial year. The report was adopted.