PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 22804, 12 November 1937, Page 16

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE REPORT DECLINE OF SUNDAY SCHOOL NUMBERS [Special to the ‘ Star.’l AUCKLAND, November 11. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church and the conference of the B.W.M.U. opened the first day of formal business with a combined communion service at St. David’s Church this morning. The service was conducted by the Moderator, the Right Rev. W. H. Howes. After this the Assembly and conference photograph was taken and business commenced. At luncheon in the adjacent hall the Moderator welcomed Cr Rosser, deputy for the mayor, Sir Ernest Davis. Replying to the welcome, Cr Rosser said he liked to speak of church union. Here it was in operation—Presbyterians dinino- in the parish hall of the Holy Sepulchre, the B.W.M.U. meeting in the Baptist Church, and now the speaker, a Welshman, horn a Methodist, was deputising for His Worship, one of God’s chosen people. Presenting the report of the Committee on Marriage and Divorce, the Rev. J. A. Allan opposed a suggestion made to last Assembly that the church should try to have marriage made a civil ceremony, after which the couple could seek the ceremony of blessing from the church. This arrangement had been tried for 50 years in France, and the troubles were not ended. It was a step in the wrong direction. In agreeing to the committee’s recommendations, Assembly discountenanced the proposal. Mr Allan advocated the publishing of a booklet of instruction for those about to be married. The Rev. J. Thompson Macky, in seconding, said: “ I have been convinced that a surprising number of marriages that come to grief do so because of the ignorance of the brides and bridegrooms.” The proposal was agreed to. The Rev. J. D. Smith moved an amendment adding that a statement on the Christian view of marriage be prepared for the signature of brides and bridegrooms before the wedding and sent down to Presbyteries for report. The Rev. John Dickie supported him, saying that we Christians could not hold Christian marriage to be constituted by any ceremony, but by the intention of the two parties to live together in life’s long union, both physical and spiritual. We should not consent to marry any who were not resolved to live together for better or for worse till death did them part. The amendment was lost. The statement of the treasurer of the church was submitted. He said that since he took office nine years ago the total funds of the church had increased by £129.000 and now amounted to over £450,000. During the year there was paid into the church’s banking account £112,000, and only £IOI,OOO had been paid out. The working of the missionary funds for the year showed a deficiency of £6,749, due to ,a shortage in congregational giving of £7,540. In this time of increased income of the community the response from congregations was disappointing. If they were going to balance their budget, congregations would have to give in this coming year £6,000 more than they were asked to find last year and £12,000 more than they actually did provide. The youth demonstration in the evening was largely attended. In presenting the youth report the convener, Rev. J. Robertson, drew attention to the serious decline of 5.911 in the number of Sunday school scholars; Rev. R. G. M'Dowall said it might be the best thing to close the Sunday schools and thus force back upon the home, where it belonged, the task of giving religions instruction. ’’’ Dr J. D. Salmond was reappointed director of youth work for a further seven years at a salary of £450 and £IOO house allowance. '