PRESBYTERIAL OFFICEBEARERS' ASSOCIATION.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13934, 17 July 1917, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAL OFFICEBEARERS' ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. | : A meeting, of 'the excciiti'veof ' the' Oainaru Presbyterial Office-bearers' Association was held in Holmes' Ilall on' Saturday at 2,30 p.m. Mr A. Fraser, president, occupied the chair. A report of the past year's operations was read, from which the following; items of interest are taken: "On April 15,191G,a preliminary, meeting. was held for the purpose of the desirability of forming an office-bearers' association in connection with Oamaru'Presbytery. This meeting- was- attended by twenty office-bearers, while • thirteen others wrote expressing their approval of the proposal, and it was unanimously - resolved to form the association. At an> adjourned meeting held'on April 24th the constitution of the. association was drawn up, the objects being defined as: First, mutual co-operation among the 'churches of the Presbytery; and second, to aid and encourage the youth of the district who may desire to enter the Church. Four cxccutivo meetings' have

been held during the year, also a public meeting for all office-bearers was lidil on April ,20th, and was addressed by Professor Ilowitson, who gave a most interesting account of the various schemes of the Church in which such an association could help, referring to similar associations in Australia. At\i meeting of the executive held on June 24th, the Rev. 11. Davies addressed them on the needs of yiin.Woli, China, appealing for help towards a. building scheme. la response fSO was raised and forwarded to the Mission Committee. The work dur-

ing the past year has been carried 011 with considerable difficulty owing to the efforts of the association being along new lines, but 'we think that with the new light thrown upon the position by Professor Ilewitson's address we. will find the way bccomo clearer as we advance, and that next year will be one of progress and efficient.usefulness." This report was confirmed and adopted. - It was resolved that a committee.consisting of Messrs Fraser, Rodman, Rodgers and Brown be appointed to arrange for the visitation of the district parishes in the interests of the association; and further; that ri'bursaryof £23 be raised in ..aid. of. a student in'training Tor the ministry, it being suggested that each country parish should contribute £l, and the Oamnru churches "the remaining £ls/ : • * ■'t.: .r.'.V . . ' • V/,-.