THE STATE OF RELIGION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13905, 12 November 1908, Page 6

THE STATE OF RELIGION.

A PRESBYTERIAN REPORT. [BY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION*.} Dwidxn, Wednesday. The Presbyterian General Assembly con;* tinued its sittings to-day." The State of > Religion Committee, which issued circulars in order to prepare a careful study on the religious condition of men and boys, and to suggest recommendations as to methods of work based on the facts ascertained, reported that the response was not. so complete as might have been desired; nor tho answers alwavs sufficiently precise to be found. of much value t« the question as to whether many Presbyterian families within the bounds of a charge were not m regular church connection and attendance; 61-- . per cent of the answers were favourable, 12 per cent, indifferent or ambiguous, and 26.7 per cent, unfavourable. ' To the question: How many men and boys of households connected with congregations are non-churchgoers'? 6*1.4 per cent, of the .men's answers were favourable, 9.3 per cent, ambiguous, and 25.2 per cent, unfavourable. Of the unfavourable answers, 21 came from towns; or townships, and in several • cases the town and country were expressly distinguished, to the disadvantage of the former. _ Regardingboys, 72.1 per cent.' were* ambiguous, and 20 per cent, unfavourable. : The proportion of men attending Sunday services was : —Auckland, 42 4 per . cent.; Taranaki. 39.2; Wanganui, 41.1: Hawke's Bay, 48.1; Wellington, 41.5; Nelson, 33; Westland, 37.2 Christchurch, 39.9; Timarii, 43.5; Oamaru, 41.6; Dunstan, 41; Dunedin.. 43.9; Clutha, 44.7; Matanra, 41.5; Southland, 45.8. Three unplaced congregations gave a percentage of 40.3. "s Returns from several Presbyteries were incomplete, notably from Wellington and Nelson. , The average for the Dominion ; worked out to 41.5 per cent-. TThe average for the Dominion of persons connected with various Church organisations stood at 37.7. The ratio of male communicants to female was —Auckland, 39.5; Taranaki, ; 30.4; Wanganui, 31.2; Hawke's Bay, 43.7; v Wellington, 35.3; Nelson, 30.6 Westland, 39.8 Christchurch, 37.9; Timarn, 33.55 Oamaru. 31.5 /Wristan, 32.5;/ Dur.edin, 36.2; Clutha, 03.9 : v Mataura,' 40.7 ; Southland, 38. The total average for the Church was 36.6 per cent. The committee was of opinion that a definite, aim in' the working of Sundayschools, Bible classes, and church services was indispensable. The painfully small percentages of young communicants showed where .there was the greatest scope for development. The committee recommended the establishment of Decision Day in the Sunday-schools, also that it be shown that . it is a perfectly natural thing for children «f from 12 to 15 years of age to take part in the Lord's Supper. " " ' ■ | The Rev! F. Dunlop, in submitting the ' report, 1 - referred to the need of the. Church concentrating'attention on "the betterment- «£ the condition of affairs. _ It . was the duty 'of parents to send their children to church. "■ i \ I The Rev. : J. Mackenzie (Christchurch) considered that if proper _ methods were adopted., the interest of boys,; especially, could be gained and retained. The Rev. H. Gray (Dunedin) considered that more . evangelical work should bo effected among young men and boys. He advocated - the extension of evangelistic * ork, and ' considered that some more definite ; instructions -in the , work might be given to • theological - students by experienced ministers. ' • ' The . Rev. J. Patterson (Waipukuran) uid the report was -tantamount to a confession of defeat. The situation was extremely serious, • and called for action. " «. The Rev. C. Murray., {Christchurch) . thought that a committee should be appointed" to inquire; into the social life -of the people, and see bow. far socialistic doctrines were responsible for the condition of affairs..;- ! - The .report urging ministers,' church workers, arid parents to keep the spiritual •dm dominant in the work of the Church" !<ras adopted. .'