Presbyterian Assembly

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 268, 15 November 1934, Page 8

Presbyterian Assembly

KNOX COLLEGE CONTROL Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Nov. 1-1. The report of the Knox College Council to tho Presbyterian General Assembly expressed deep regret at the death of Mrs llcwitson, who had given inestimable help to her husband, the first master of the college. Regret was expressed that several students for the ministry had been unable to reside in the college owing to financial stringency. The fees "were kept as moderate as possible, consistent with all the conditions involved. A motion to make the council of Knox College an incorporated body was opposed by Mr A. D. Thomson on tho ground that to do so would place the Church in a position of having no power to gain information about the property and endowments of a church institution. The church property trustees should be the tnistccs of tho property. On a vote being taken the Assembly decided to allow the incorporation.

The closing motion following the above caused a gust of laughter. It was to commend the college to the prayers of tho Church. A rearrangement of motions avoided the humour of the situation.

Rev. J. 11. McKenzie moved that the name of the Church paper be changed from The Outlook to Tho New Zealand Presbyterian. An amendment to refer the question to the special committee on publication was carried. It was agreed that tho present arrangements for editing The Outlook should be continued.

Rev. D. M. Cattauach presented the report of the life and work committee, lie said emphasis during the year had been placed on devotion and consecration. In July ministers who were broadcasting -were asked to deal with Sabbath observance. This y/as done in most pulpits. Evangelism had not been neglected, but the office of evangelist should not be filled in the meantime.

It. was decided that presbyteries shout'd endeavour to make special arrangements .for evangelistic efforts during 1935, and that where possible ministers should be released from their charges to do evangelistic work for short periods. Rev. L. 11. Hunt moved that the life and work committee should explore the reasons for the decline in church attendance. Those who attended church twice on Sunday were a diminishing group. .Mr Hunt indicated that in his opinion the returns of church attendance presented to the Asesmbly were fallacious.

It was decided to direct the Assembly to give the heartiest approval to his Excellency the Governor-General’s proposal for establishing a Biblc-rcading-in-the-homc league. Tire youth of the church committee reported 40,000 scholars and 14,000 Bible class members. A committee was directed to taKe steps to prepare a syllabus of lessons to be used under the Nelson system in classes taught in the State schools.