Presbyterian General Assembly.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 71465, 16 February 1901, Page 3

Presbyterian General Assembly.

At Thursday's sitting of the above at Wanganui the report on Sabbath schools stated that in tließe there are 15,000 children and 1500 teachers. The annual examinations were held in October. The examiners' reports testify to the excellence and thoroughness of the work done. Candidates appeared from all the Presbyteries : 1536 papers were sent in by 846 children. Of these 832 eained firstclass discretions, no less than 168 gaining 100 per cent. A scheme of examination for 1901 has been adopted as follows : — Sculpture — The third quarter's International Lessons for 1901. Caiechism-Junior, questions 1 to 21; midiHe, questions 1 to 31; senior 1., questions Ito 44, proofs Ito 23. Essay (for senior divisions only)—" Presbyterianism in New Zealand."

Rev. Wm. Shirer seconded the adoption of the report, and said the greal motto of the church shor'.d be " The Young for Christ."

Mr James Aitken "seconded the motion. In doing so he said he did not approve of the^S.S. Committee substituting " Presbyterir uism " as a subject for the essay instead of some .r?e from Scilpiure.

Mr Rvig objected to the same fo.n of certificates being hp .ided down from year to year, and suggested that new and beautifrl certificates should be issued this year as New Century Certificates. The motion was carried.

The Foreign Mission report was read by Eev. W. Grant. Thereafter the Eevs Inglis (delegate of the church to the New Hebrides .Mission Synod) and Watt and Smai 11. (missionaries • a the field) addressed the meeting. The discussion on this report was adjourned.

(Press Association.)

- Wanganui, February 15. It was decided that the Eev TV. Thomson should hand in his rninisteilal certificate before being heard at the bar of the Assembly on Monday morning. The assembly then declt with a reference L-om the Wanganui Presbytery re the resignation of the Rev Mr Chisholm, of Palmerston. The reference was not sustained, and the matter was refeued to the Presbytery to deal with. The report on union with the Presby-tei-lan Church of Otago, read by the convener, the Eev J. Patterson, recommended that the Assembly should accept the basis of union adopted by the last Synod of Otago. The Assembly unanimously and enthusiastically adobted the. repot j. The meeting was one of the most impressive and enthusiastic ever held by the Genera 1. Assembly of New Zealand.