PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17631, 18 November 1920, Page 8

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

POSITION OF FINANCES.

DECREASE iff MEMBERSHIP.

[BT TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The Presbyterian General Assembly resumed to-day.

The treasurer, Rev. W. J. Comrie, reported that contributions to the general funds of the Church had again exceeded all previous records, largely due to a special ! appeal made to meet the crisis in foreign mission work arising . from the adverse rate of exchange. Most of the other funds also showed increased income. The Theological College fund, however, was in a most unsatisfactory condition. Its income, was not only far less than required, but was £50 less than last year. All the larger presbyteries showed lessened contributions, the falling off being greatest in Wellington, Christchurch, Oamaru, and Dunedin. One hundred and twenty-three ministers and home missionaries were insured against accident and sickness, ana premiums amounting to £182 had* been paid to the Standard Insurance Company. Compensation totalling £125 had been paid to ten ministers and home missionaries. The treasurer's report was adopted. The Rev. YV. H. Holmes, for the members of the Statistical Committee, reported that throughout the Church there had been a decrease in membership of 374 —92 in the North Island and 282 in the South Island. The largest decrease was recorded by the \Vanganui Presbytery, be ing 144. In the matter of attendance at public worship there was a decrease of about 20 over the decrease in membership. In connection with pastoral care there had been an increase of some 1300, but increased pastoral care had not shown itself in increased membership nor in increased church Attendance. There were 142,363 Presbyterians in the South Island, and 116,173 in the North Island. The total ordinary revenue of the Church' showed an increase of ever £36.000. The South Island raised £105,315, and the North Island £80,304. making a total of £185,619. The total received for buildings, property or from rent was £57,547: Those two* lines of finance yielded nearly a-quarter of a million, and did include the effort last year for missions, towards which the South Island contributed £134.975, arid the North Island £108.191. The total debt was £108,190. The report was adopted.