PRESBYTERY OF WANGANUI

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3479, 15 October 1926, Page 4

PRESBYTERY OF WANGANUI

The Presbytery of Wanganui met in Marton yesterday and was well attended by both ministers and elders. Rev.. G. F. Cox, Moderator, occupied the chair and opened the proceedings with devotional exercises. An elders’ commission in favour of Mr. H. J. N. Brown was received from Gonville session and sustained. New Moderator. It was moved by Rev. T. Miller, M.A., that Rev. T. Stinston of Timaru be nominated by this Presbytery as the Moderator of the Assembly for the year 1927-28. After some discussion this was carried. Assembly Representatives. The clerk reported that according to plan this year the following were, entitled to send elders, viz.:—Foxton, Hunterville, St. Andrew’s, St. David’s, Palmerston North, Turakina, St. James’ and St. Paul’s, Wanganui, and that ministers be appointed from the other charges. Tho clerk was empowered to fill up the list of representatives.

Rev. W. Elliot was appointed to the Committee of Bills and Business, Rev. G. F. Cox to the Committee of Standing Committees.

Rev. G. T. Brown presented a report concerning the recent Home Mission summer school held in Palmer- t ston North. The report was seconded by Rev. J. H. Bredin and was carried.

Mr. Ireland, H.M., of Bulls, moved a hearty vote of thanks to Rev. G. T. Brown and hi s committee and the congregation of St. Andrew’s and St. David’s for their kind hospitality. Statistics. Rev. J. H. Bredin presented a report on the statistics of the Presbytery, and voiced a word of warning concerning certain tendencies which seemed to be revealed by the figures. The attendance at the prayer meetings was not encouraging also the number being received by confession of faith should be improved upon. Rev. W. Elliott urged the importance of the ministers making use of Young People’s Day to put before the young people the claims of the ministry. Rev. G. P. Cox supported and spoke of the value of young people’s camps in putting definitely before the youth the claim s of personal decision and consecration. A lengthy discussion followed concerning the present trend of the Bible Class movement. Personal. Rev. G .T. Brown presented to the Presbytery a unanimous request from the United Session of Palmerston North Outfields that Mr. J. H. Wilson be granted the full powers of ordination. He spoke highly of Mr. Wilson’s work and of the progress the charge had made under his ministry. He moved that this request be sent on to the Home Mission Committee. Gipsy Smith. Rev. W. Elliott drew attention to the fact that Gipsy Smith was to hold a short mission in Wanganui and urged the charges to support this effort by their attendance. This was supported by Revs. G. P. Cox and W. Beggs, and the Presbytery pledged its sympathy and support.