PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Northern Advocate, 11 October 1928, Page 7

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

MODERATOR VISITS NORTH. IMPORTANT PHASES DISCUSSED. On Wednesday afternoon the Presbyterial Association and P.W.M.U. of Whangarei combined to entertain the Rt. Rev. James Ait ken M.A., Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand, and members of the North Auckland Presbytery to luncheon at the 'Whangarei Church Hall.

| After ample .justice had been done | to the good things provided, the Rev. Burton, Moderator of< the North Auckland Presbytery, introduced the distinguished visitor, not only in his official capacity, but also as one whose sojourn in the North had much to assist the work of the church. BEAUTY SPOTS TRAVERSED. Addressing both the Presbytery, and the lady helpers, the Rt. Rev. James Aitken expressed his very great pleasure at the results of lids tour to the North, which he confessed was a much more difficult place to get to than any Southerner thought. When he arrived at Helensvillo he thought he had reached the North, but was soon disillusioned, and even at Kaitaia the people still spoke of land further to the northward.

'.Several places he had wanted to 'see perforce remained nnvisited. Among these were the historic Bay of Islands, which he had been unable to explore, owing to the short time at his disposal. He had also wanted to see what gum lands were like, but they were disappointing f rom a,scenic outlook, -and he had no further wish to see them. The ti-ip through the beautiful Mangamuka and Waipu Gorges had been much enjoyed. Gisborne, where lie lived, was on the! very edge of the ipuriri belt, and the | splendour of some puririsi seen on the ] present trip would remain long r in his j memory. 1

Another thing he had discovered in the was the great kindness and prosperity of the people, who had treated him like an . old friend. For this he wished to express his gratitude.

VITAL QUESTION'S. The speaker then went on to deal with several matters of great importance to the church. Urging the Presbytery to make more use of the Pi-ess in its -work, he reminded them thv.t no matter where a man lived ho was in reach of a post office and printcil matter. Several organisation:!.with which the church had little in -common were fully exploiting this avenue ti disseminate their peculiar ‘'doctrines abd advanced propaganda, which the speaker considered to be of unwholesome type, -and which was not in its essence j the religion of Jesus. The Presbyter-i ian Church did little to spread the message through the printed word, ■ami he appealed to them to give the matter serious consideration, CLAIM OF THE CHURCHES, Another matter which the visitor considered to be well worthy of thought and effort was the union of the Christian Churches. From time to time in the past this had been attempted without success, but that was no reason why fresh endeavours should not be made.

Thorc were at least three organisations which, in their teaching of theology, organisation and policy, differed very little from the Presbyterian, and nothing hindered church union except history and tradition. Ethics also differed, but this was a very small point.

When one travelled in widely scattered districts, as he had recently done, it was iasier to appreciate the true benefits which union would confer. There were far-flung parishes which a single representative of each of the churches was attempting to cover, instead of working in conjunction, and dividing the district into four parts. The joining of forces must be encouraged, and at no distant date union should be accomplished. MISSIONARY ENDEAVOUR. Speaking particularly to the ladies of the P.W.M.U., the Moderator said that there was no more important organisation connected with the' church, which existed primarily to spread the knowledge of Jesus Christ throughout the world. The Master relied upon His people to fulfil this mission, and the P.W.M.U. was justifying the faith reposed in it by spreading the Word among the heathen. Every member should realise that the effects of the work were more far-reaching than mot the eye. The very fact that aj number of sincere ladies met together i

deliberately to further missionary effort had an immense effect ,on the congregation. He trusted that the members of the P.W.M.U. would continue their work with unabated zeal and enthusiasm. THANKS RECORDED. In closing, the Moderator again expressed his gratitude for the kindness and hospitality shown him during his visit to the North, which he said, would live long in his memory as a most enjoyable experience. At the conclusion of the address, the Rev. Burton said that a mere formal vote of thanks could not express what the people of the North felt’towards their Moderator, who like fit. Paul in his travelling among the scattered parts of the Old World, had gone about strengthening and encouraging the work which was being carried on. Mr W. Johnson then expressed the thanks of the visitors to the ladies who had so kindly and cheerfully provided lunch. In a most suitable reply, Mrs Blair said the ladies of the P.W.M.U. and the Presbyterial Association were only too delighted to entertain the highest dignitary of the church in New Zealand and members of the Prcsbvtorv.