PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1942, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

AUCKLAND, November 21. At the present time there are 102 students preparing for the Ministry of | the Presbyterian Church. Thirtyfour of these students have been on active service either overseas or within New Zealand during the year. Two students have given their lives on the field of battle and three have been taken prisoners of war. Following the death of Principal John Dickie, D.D., the General Assembly has aopointed Rev. S. F. Hunter, M.A.. D.D., Professor of Old Testament studies, including the Hebrew language, as Principal of the Theological Hall. The Rev. H. Rehbein was re-ap-pointed lecturer in Church History in the Theological Hall for a further term of three years. The Assembly sent a message of congratulation to’ the Rev. Hector McLea n a former Minister of the Church on his appointment as Principal of Ormond College, Melbourne, and on his election as ModeratorDesignate of the General Assembly of the Victorian Presbyterian Church. The Assembly agreed to establish a post-graduate Travelling Scholarship in memory of the late Principal John Dickie. Under the care of thei Presbyterian Social Service Association are 500 children. Many old boys of the Presbyterian homes are overseas with (he forces and some have made the supreme Sacrifice. The plan for erecting a chapel at Roes Home, Dunedin, is now well under way, £1,153 having been subscribed alreadv. Work among adult unfortunates is being maintained in most of the Associations. Chaplains to hospitals and prisons are performing a real service. The work makes an appeal not only to Church people, but also to many outside the Church.

; A recommendation to the Lif e and Work Committee to provide a brief popular introduction to the reading of the Scriptures or to recommend such books already in existence was moved by the Rev. J. B. Strong and adopted.

The Assembly agreed to request the National Council of Churches to convene a conference of representatives of all Youth Organisations to consider the implications of the Physical Welfare and Recreations Act.

The Assembly reaffirmed its deep interest in th P work of the Bnusn and Foreign Bible Societv and of tne National Bible Society of Scotland.

The Assembly agreed to ask the Government to set up a Royal Commission! to investigate the effects of the liquor traffic op national health, social security, law enforcement and on the Maori race.