AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9404, 10 January 1894, Page 5

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

The ordinary moating of the Auckland Presbytery was held last evening in SK Andrew's Church, Rev. A. Carrick presiding. There were also present :—Revs. R. Somraerville (clerk), J. Hill, MoCallura, R. F. Macnicol, R. Ferguson, T. Norrie, T. F. Robertson, G. B. Monro, D. J. Steele, Finlay, and a number of elders. Itinerating Minister. — Rev. T. F. Robertson furnished a report recommending that a request be made by the Presby-. tery to the Assembly, for a grant in aid of an itinerating minister. Rev. R. Ferguson (Onehunga) spoke in favour of the appointment, and moved that the report be adopted. Rov. G. B. Monro opposed the suggestion. He thought it would be very unwise to hurry a motion of that kind. Rev. J. Hill said the Rev. Monro was too sensitive in the matter. He thought the Assembly could take care of their own funds. . Rev. R. Sommerville said the Presbytery would bo commended for the act, if they adopted the suggestion. He referred to the great want of such a minister throughout the country districts. There was no representative of their Church from Mahurangi to the North Gape, and he thought that the matter only wanted a nfcart, and in time ib would be self-supporting. The report was adopted. /"", m L Education Committee's Report. Clerk read a report of the Education Committee, which showed that, during the past year, considerable activity had been shown in the question of religious instruction in the public schools.' (During the late elections the question had received ■ special attention; and although candidates had not supported the introduction of the Bible into the schools, many of them were in favour of some form, of text-book being used. The committee recommended the use of the "Irish Text-book." The report was adopted. ;•;;"!!;;■ ; Temperance Committhb. — Mr. Finlay presented the reporb of the Temperance Committee, which dealt at length with the movement. The report stated that great activity had been shown in this 1 direction during the past year. The question of Temperance was now regarded as one of the greatest social questions oftheday, and there were signs of the awakening of- the community to the evil effects of drink, and they had no doubt that before long the Legislature would be compelled to attend to the matter. On the motion of the Rev. H. F. Macnicol, seconded fby the ! Rev, G. B. Monro, the report Was adopted. ' ;,, Appointment.—Mr.' A. Bell was appointed as ono of the elders to represent St. Andrew's Church at the meeting of the General Assembly to be held in Chnsbchurch in February next. , f ■wa >-?U ,--■ o ytf-w-