PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 780, 11 February 1887, Page 10

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The twenty-fifth annual assembly of delegates from the various Presbyteries throughout the Colony was opened in St John’s Church on Tuesday evening. The church was well filled with members and their friends.

Divine service was conducted by the Rev Thomas R. Cairns of Sydenham, Christchurch, the retiring moderator, who delivered an impressive sermon, taking for his text the 16th verse of the Epistle of Paul to the Romans, “For lam not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth ; to the Jew first, and also the Greek.”

During the service a collection was made in aid of the Assembly Fund. After the dispensing of the Lord’s Supper, administered by the Moderator, the ministers, elders, and commissioners from the Presbyteries, convened by virtue of the Act of held at Auckland in February, 1886, were called together, and the Assembly duly constituted. DEPUTATION. A commission was read from the Synod of Otago and Southland, appointing the Kevs McCosh Smith and Ferguson as a deputation to the Assembly. On the motion of the Clerk (Rev D. Sidey) the deputation were unanimously and cordially welcomed and asked to take seats with the other members. ELECTION OF MODERATOR. The Rev Thos. Cairns said that befeire he went, back to the Assembly he desired to thank the members for the courtesy shown to him during the past, and before he gave up the position he would move that the Rev George Bishop Monro, of Remuera, Auckland, be Moderator for the ensuing year. The Rev J. Treadwell cordially seconded the motion.

The Rev G. B. Mu aro, the newly-elected Moderator, then addressed the Assembly. After thanking them for the honor conferred upon him, the reverend gentleman said it was now four and twenty years since the first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand met at Auckland, and there could be no doubt but what their progress had been substantial and enduring, and that they now possessed a staff of most efficient and devoted Ministers and workers. But the important question still forced itself upon their attention : Did their Church numerically keep up her ratio to the growth of population ? Was she as aggressive as she might be ? It was far from him to play the part of a pessimist, and utter there only gloomy and disheartening statements ; but it was better, in the interests of the Church, that they should face facts—if they be facts —and find out any weak points in their Colonial Presbyterianism, which might be strengthened and improved. He was not going to weary them with detailed statistics, which were generally open to question, and which were certainly uncalled for on an occasion like that ; but, from a faithful examination of certain cir-

cumstances, he felt, that with all their reasons for congratulation aud thanksgiving, there was urgent * need for increased consecration aud energy on the part of ministers and people. The present age had been characterised as “a restless, lawless, and presumptuous one.” Whether this was an accurate description or not, the age was marked by a wonderful advancement in science, art, literature, aud philosophy. The marvellous variety aud cheapness of books on every imaginable subject—the expansion aud diffusion of knowledge among all classes, through their national systems of education; the recognised influence of newspapers on the political, social, and religious world, naturally compelled the Church to give increased attention to the culture and scholarship of her ministry. A variety of institutions had awakened their powers and communicated a degree of general knowledge which was not generally diffused even twenty-five years ago. It

was obvious to all that religious society at the present day was everywhere in a state of disquiet, swelling and heaving like a tempestuous sea. That there waa scepticism in the air everybody knew. The Presbyterian Church had always given great attention to the thorough training of her students, and in these days they could not be too careful on the point. It was well that they should maintain a high standard of education, aud urge their students to fit themselves in every possible way for the Ministry of their Church, but they must also see that they possessed those sp cial gifts without which all literary and theological training was useless. They demanded a certain standard of knowledge before they admitted young men as Bbudents, or gave them license to preach the gospel, and he believed they would raise instead of lessening the standard; but were they as faithful in demanding an account of their religious experiences ? The necessity for a truly converted, selfconsecrated, spiritual ministry no one questioned. Why, the greatest curse that could fall on a church was an unconverted ministry, and if they became lax in their inquiries as to living personal piety, their excellent church polity and advanced scholarship would nob make them aggressive. He had often been surprised at the unpardonable ignorance of many as to what Presbyterianism really was. It was considered by some as a rigid, narrow, and limited system, whioh was confined specially to Sootland and the North of Ireland,

whereas it was one of the most extensive churches in the world. It was very far frocn the cramped and limited thing which many would make it. It was one of the most elastic and Scriptural church organisations that existed. Those who really understood the policy of the Church would acknowledge that it could adapt itself to all sorts of com* munities, new and old, and that it could flourish in the colonies as in the Mother Country. He granted that a superficial acquaintance with Presbyterianism might lead some to suppose that it did not possess the elasticity necessary to a new country like New Zealand, but, though often reproached for its stiffness and “angularity,’ it was open to true progress, and its success in America and the Australian colonies was the best proof of the statement. He had often thought that with all the improvements in the regular Sabbath services still greater advances might be made without in any way sacrificing truths. Looking at the psalmody of the Church they would understand what he meant. The increased attention given to the culture of music ou the part of the rising generation both in public and private schools, and the marked advancement in that branch of Churoh service by sister denominations, made it imperative that they should not be behind ; and the vast improvements made within the last few years proved what he had already said as to the elasticity of their Presbyterianism. They did not need to give way, as one said, to the “ritualism which beautifies Christian worship with ornaments of human device, and draws away by the mere agency of artistic forms the souls of the worshippers from the realities of religion,” when they made improvements in their Church praise. They all knew that as matters now stood ; there was only one part in their worship in which the congregation was expected to join audibly, and that wa3 the praise ; and if they did not make it as cordial, unanimous and excellent as possible, they shut

many out from taking an interest in the service. He was inclined to think that their Church hsd not yet sought to realise her duty with respect to this single outlet of devotion. They were still too conservative in this matter. They ought to give more attention to the development of the gifts of the laity. He used that term for the waut of a better, and understood it to embrace, not only the elders, but all the office-bearers and members of the Church—in fact, the people. Consider, able attention had lately been given to this all-important snbject by some of the Home and American Churches, and judging from the sentiments expressed it was likely to become one of the most vital questions generally discussed in Church courts. The boast of their Presbyterian Church had always been that they had recognised and admitted the lay element to their Church courts, and the fact that sister churches had gradu-

ally adopted their practice, went far to prove its value and necessity. They did not disparage, in any way, the ability aud earnestness of the laity in other churches when they said that they felt grateful to God for the earnest and efficient claß3 of workers they had in their Church. The eldership, e.g., which had always been recognised by them as an office which had come down from Apostolic times, bearing Apostolic sanction, possessed many of the most intelligent and consecrated laborers of Christ. Among the ruling elders were to be found the greatest variety in respect of social circumstances, mental and moral gifts, and opportunities for usefulness. Some were eminently qualified by their business experience and sagacity for the administrative department. They did not feel themselves gifted in speech, and were rarely, if ever heard, expressing their views in their devotional services, and yet their wise and thoughtful counsels in church courts went a long way to aid them in their deliberations. Their Church, although glorying in the eldership as a ruling body, had been somewhat slow to recognise and develop the teaching. He maintained that they should encourage more of their elders by members, who could teach and preach well, to come forward and receive the imprimatur of their Churoh, as being qualified by character aud talents for occasional preaching, and then whatever advantage there was in official authority would be secured to them. He did not think that this would in any way undermine the influence of the ordained ministry or tend to awakeu unjust comparison, but would rather strengthen the hands of the pastors aud pro*mote the interests of the Church. He could not understand the prejudice which so many of their people had against the ministrations of cultured laymen. It appeared strange to him that in some instances they

could sit without demur under the teaching of a layman of another denomination, and yet they could not exercise the same forbearance under the addresses of a Presbyterian. There was no doubt that this unwarrantable prejudice on the part of some of their people had done much to weaken the Church, especially in country districts where the sparse population and comparatively poor circumstances of the people had prevented them from hearing a minister or missionary evangelist. He thought they ought to give greater attention to evangelistic work. He did not suppose that the most charitable member of the Church would care to assert that they had done all they might and could have done to gather in the careless and lapsed. In the large cities and towns there were thousands who never thought of attending the sanctuary, and who were to a great extent outside Church influence. Many of them when in the Home Country were faithful and regular in their chnrch attendance, but since they came here they had gradually settled down into permanent non-church-goers. The amount of non-church-going on the part of Presbyterians was simply appalling. Ha was not in a position to speak definitely regarding any place outside Auckland, but in that city and suburba hehadover 500 lapsed Presbyterian families, and if there was anything like the same proportion in other pieces they had far more Presbyterians outside than inside the Church. From a carefully-prepared report of Church attendance in ©unedin by a committee to inquire into the subject, he learned that there were over 6000 non-ohurch-going Presbyterians—not speaking of the non-church-goers described in the census as belonging to other denominations. If those facts in regard to Auckland and Dunedin were correct, what

must be the number throughout the whole •of New Zealand who never think of going to the house of God ? These were sufficient facts to make an earnest Christian sad, and to lead him to aak what further could be done to reach the careless and lapsed. Various methods had been suggested and attempted with a fair measure of success, but multitudes were still uninfluenced. Were they to leave them alone and allow their numbers to increase with the increase of our population ; or were they to try, as a Church, to save them? To leave them alone would be utter neglect of duty, and would soon tell upon their Church life and growth. It was evident that they could not reach this class by their regular Church machinery, and they must face the matter in a way not yet attempted. It had been his opinion for some time that they could only undertake euch by home mission and evangelistic work on a much larger scale than they had yet tried. Those who knew anything of the success that had attended evangelistio work in some of the large cities at Home, in Glasgow, e.g., would sympathise with the suggestion "that, as a Church, they must increase their evangelistic machinery. The Committee came to the conclusion that there was sufficient evangelistic power in the Presbytery itself if it could be called into play and wisely directed. The following was the method adopted on the recommendation •of the Committee : —The Presbytery was divide i into six or more districts, in accordance with the importance of the several months of the -season. In each of these districts one church was appointed as the centre of evangelisation for the month of Kovember. In the month of December another church of the district was selected, and so on until all the churches of the Presbytery had become in turn centres of evangelisation. The work of evangelisation in every centre was under the direction of the paßtor of the church in which the meetings were held. The work was carried on without excitement, but with thoroughness and marked success. There were several hundred more accesions to tfie churches of the Presbytery than ever before in its history. There were those in the Church who were specially gifted for this kind of work, and they should take advantage of their gifts and experience. a stranger would excite an interest, and draw a congregation when the local ministry would fail, and as “ faith cometh by hearing,” etc, it was something to get the people under the influence of the truth. But why should not each Presbytery have regular evangelistic services, properly organised and conducted by ministers or laymen who were qualified for such work ? Not only would ministers be encouraged and believers quickened, but the careless and godless would be drawn into the Church. If they were to prevent the work from going outside their Church they must adopt Borne suoh method. He trusted that sometime during the Assembly, when the report of the “Committee on the state of religion and morals was before them, the question would be faithfully considered. They must look for greater consecration to the service of Christ on the part of ministers and people. A noble Church history, an admirable government, an educated ministry, an excellent staff of workers, would not suffice to advance the Church as they would like ; but personal holiness on the part of ministers and people, a truer co'nsecration to the grand aim of life, and a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit combined with these, would make their progress greater than it had ever yet -been. Where there was an allembracing consecration to God there would be a marvellous spiritual power. The strength and capacity of usefulness would be increased if they dedicate their means, their time, talents, themselves. What an influence their Church would exercise were each member to ask “Am I consecrated ? Do I seek unbroken fellowship with Christ? Do I strive to do what I can to further Christ’s • cause upon earth?” '‘Lord, what wilt thou ihave me to do ?” was the question every .steadfast believer in Christianity and every loyal follower of the Son of God 'Would not fail to put. When a minister •was consecrated to the great work of saving souls—counting one soul more -precious than -a >world, and delighted more to save a soul than to wear a crown—he possessed the true spirit of his office. It ought to be their primary and absorbing •object to have fellowship with the angels in gathering together the.elect of God. “Preaching Christ, and Him crucified,” was the great magnetic power by which the world was to be drawn to God, and they must be consecrated to this great work. They must : get the people to realise that in their various spheres and relations in the house, in the place of business, in the social circle, it was a privilege to present a loyal ■and loving consecration to Christ. There were whole mines of undeveloped force in their •Church, aod they must try and draw it out. M -Christians would only think •more of their obligations, they would he ready for Christ’s serviee. The

isooner therefore they got each Christian to be a worker in Christ’s vineyard the for the Church and the world* It was *his earnest prayer that a new life would breathe through the worship of all their con- ' ©rogations, and -new love join the hearts of' the worshi ppers, and that the delifoera- ' "tions and decisions of their Assembly would prove a lasting blessing to their beloved Church.

The rev gentleman concluded amidst applause. HOURS UR SITTING. The Rev J. Paterson, on behalf of the Committee of Annual Arrangements, recoramended that the hours of sitting be from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m. and from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m., the afternoon to be devoted to committee work. Agreed to. The rev gentleman stated that it had been arranged that the Assembly should sit in the large schoolroom adjoining ±he church. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. On the motion of the Clerk, the following were appointed as a Bill and Business Committee : —Revs D, W. Doull (convener), W. M, Gillies, C. S. Ogg, W. M. McAra, D. McLennan, G-. A. Grant, D. W. Runeiman, W. Sidey, and Messrs J. G. W. Aifcken, Cuthbert, Whyte, and J, Jack, elders. A committee was appointed to receive the Treasurer’s report, consisting of the Revs W. Gillies, <7, Paterson, B, McGregor, and J). Sidey.

I The Assembly then adjourned till 10 a.m. j next morning. Wednesday, February 9. The Assembly sat at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St John’s schoolroom. The Moderator (Rev Mr J. M. Monro) presided. The first hour was spent in devotional exercises, led by the Revs Monro (Moderator), Duncan, McLean, and McGregor, MINUTES. The minutes of the previous sitting were read and confirmed. MINISTERIAL CHANGES. The Clerk reported that since the last assembly the following changes had taken place in the various Presbyteries Auckland : Onehunga had been rendered vacant by the death of the Rev James Bruce; Whangarei rendered vacant through the resignation of the charge by the Rev James McKellau ; Waipa, vacancy caused by the resignation of the Rev Alexander McLean. Hawkes Bay: Waipawa station rendered vacant by the resignation of the Rev S. Douglas. Havelock, vacant through the resignation of the Rev W. Niohol. Wanganui : The Rev James Neill had been ordained and inducted at Hawera. The Rev James A. Dawson had resigned the charge of New Plymouth. Wellington: The Rev J. K. Elliott resigned his charge ofNewtown, and found a new charge in the city of Wellington, in Kent-terraee, to which he was inducted.

SUNDAY SERVICES. The Rev J. Doull moved that the annual Arrangements Committee should make arrangements for Sabbath services. This was seconded by the Rev W. Gillies. The Rev C. S. Ogg moved as an amendment, That the matter should be left to the Bills aud Business Committee. This amendment was seconded by the Rev J. Paterson, and on being put, was carried. ORDER OF BUSINESS. The Committee on Bills and Business reported as to the order of business to be followed by the Assembly. , CONTEMPT OF ASSEMBLY. The Rev C. S. Ogg would like to draw the attention of the Assembly to a breach of its decision. The Moderator thought Mr Ogg had better give notice of motion. The Clerk said notice was neoessarv. The rev gentleman then gave notice that he wished to draw the attention of the Assembly to a breach of privilege on the part of one of its members. The Rev Mr Treadwell thought the rev gentleman should name the person in error. The Rev Mr Ogg alluded to the Rev John Ross of Turakina. The Rev Mr Treadwell said Mr Ross was not present, and was therefore not able to defend himself. treasurer’s report. The Treasurers (Messrs J. M. Clark and D. Sidey) submitted their annual statement of accounts.

The summary of collections showed that L 219 6s 3d, of which L 122 17s Id for foreign missions was the principal item, had been collected at Christchurch ; LlB7 12s at Auckland, the principal items being Assembly expenses, L 53 us, and foreign missions, Lsl 10s 4d ; LI O3 14s lid at Wellington, L 54 16s lid being for foreign missions and £2l Assembly expenses ■ LS4 13s 2d was collected at Wanganui, L 57 Ss 7d for foreign missions ; L 6.9 16s Sd at Timaru • L 55 9s 3d in Hawkes Bay ; L 39 12s in Westland ; and L 26 16s at Nelson ; making in all a total of L 787 0s Sd. Of that total L 367 17s was for foreign missions, L 204 10s 6d Assembly expenses, L7l 4s 5d Dayspring, L 62 17s lid Maori missions, and LSO 10a lOd aged and infirm ministers’ fund.

The Committee appointed to consider the above reported that the balance-sheet showed that a sum of L 669 15s 7d was at presentinthehandsof J. McCosh Clark, Esq., of Auckland, and about £9O in the hands of the Rev D. Sidey, which together amounted to £759. Of that sum £4OO must be remitted immediately to Sydney in payment of missionaries’salaries, £IOO for Dayspring, £B4 to Mr Bruce as arranged at last Assembly, and other liabilities amounting to about £3O, leaving a working balance of about £l5O. The Committee recommended that a telegram be sent to Mr Clark, requesting the transference of the balance in bis hands to the Presbyterian Church account, No. 2, Bank of New Zealand at Napier, in order that the now acting-Treasurer, the Rev D. Sidey, might be able to make all necessary arrangements. On the motion of the Rev W. Gillies, seconded by Rev T. W. Dunn, the report was adopted. GENERAL ALLIANCE. A letter was read from the Rev W. J. Blaikie, Clerk of the Presbyterian Alliance, Edinburgh, calling the attention of the Assembly to the fact that the next meeting of the General Alliance will be held on the 24th June, at London, and pointing out that each church in the Council iB entitled to appoint two delegates from every hundred charges.

The Rev Mr Treadwell did not see how they could face sending a member Home to represent them at the Alliance. If any member was paying a visit to the Home Country he could represent them. Mr Gillies moved, seconded by Mr M. Wright, that in the event of any member or elder proceeding to the Home Country at the time of the Alliance meeting, the Moderator of the Assembly be empowered to give him a commission to represent the Church. This was agreed to. RECORDS. A number of committees were appointed to examine Presbytery records. DEPUTATION. It was arranged that the Assembly should meet a deputation from the Minister’s Association, of Wellington, on Friday morning, at 11 a.m.

PETITIONS, ETC. A communication was received from the Synod of Otago and Southland, stating that that Synod thought it due to their Church that the testimonials received by the Synod in favor of the appointment of Professor Dunlop to the Divinity chair of Otago should be forwarded to the Assembly. The_ testimonials, which were of a very flattering character, were then read. The Rev W. Gillies thought it was only due to the Church of Otago that the Assembly should acknowledge their courtesy in forwarding the testimonials. He would

move that the {thanks of the Assembly be conveyed to the Synod of Otago and Southland for their courtesy in sending copies of Professor Dunlop's testimonials, and that the Assembly express the hope that he may long be spared to do good work in the theological training of students in New Zealand. Seconded by Mr W. M. MoCallum and agreed to. A petition was received from the Auckland Presbytery requesting the Assembly to grant authority to any presbytery of the Church to receive the Rev John Dickson, M.A., on the presentation by him of satisfactory credentials. RevMr Treadwell moved, seconded by Rev

Mr Runeiman, that Mr Dickson, being still a member of the Irish Presbyterian Church, he is open to receive a call from a congregation of the Church without any formal reception by any presbytery. Agreed to. An application was received from the Presbytery of Auckland for the reception of the Rev C. Worboys, of the United Free Methodist Church, to be received as a member of the Church.

It was decided that the application should be remitted to a committee ef the Assembly, consisting of the Revs James Paterson, C. S. Ogg, D. W. Runeiman, J. Elmslie, J. Treadwell, W. Gillies, T. R. Cairns, and A. Grant, with Messrs Jack and McLean, elders. A petition was received from Mr J. Millar Smith, student evangelist, Woodville, requesting exemption from attending the University, and liberty to pursue his studies with the Examination Board.

It was decided to remit the petition to the committee appointed in the Rev C. Worboy’s case.

A petition was received from the Aucklarfd Presbytery, requesting that Mr Job Banning be admitted to the position of student evangelist without passing through a university course.

This was referred to the same Committee. A communication was read from the Auckland Presbytery, recommending that Mr Alexander Morrison be received by the Church as a student evangelist,

Rev Mr Treadwell moved that the Assembly express its satisfaction that Mr Morrison, the son of the Rev John Morrison, formerly one of the missionaries of the New Hebrides, wishes to become a student of the Church, and directs him to apply to the Church Extension Committee.

The motion was seconded by Mr Duncan, and carried.

ELECTION OF MODERATOR. An overture was received from the Presbyteries of Hawkes Bay, proposing a change in the present mode of electing the Moderator of the Assembly. After some discussion it was decided to appoint a committee, to consist of the Revs Paterson, Gillies, Doull. Cairns, Ogg, Duncan, Runeiman, McCallum, Treadwell (convener), and Messrs Aitken, Jack, and Cuthbert (elders), to consider tho mode of appointing the Moderator year by year. VISITATIONS. Reports of visitations by the Presbyteries to their congregations at Christchurch, Nelson, Hawkes Bay, Auckland, Timaru, Westland, and Wanganui, were read. Rev Mr Treadwell moved, seconded by Rev Mr Dunn, that the reports having been read, the Assembly expresses its satisfaction at finding that the visitati-ras of congregations is on the whole well ca-ried out, and that it directs the Presbytery of Wellington to attend to the matter during the present year. On being put, the motion was carried. RASTQRS’ EMERITUS.

The Presbytery of Timaru reported on the remit sent to them by the last Assembly, in reference to pastors’ emeritus. The report stated that the title of ministers’ emeritus had been used in two different sets of circumstances—(l) When a minister from ill-health, old age, or other circumstances not affecting his ministerial character, had resigned his charge with a retiring allowance, he was accorded a minister emeritus ; and in that case, having formally resigned his pastoral charge, ana though having been dissolved, he does not continue to hold his seat in the Presbytery unless the right to do so has been formally conferred by the Assembly or other supreme court of the Church, but he may be associated pro tern, by the Presbytery at any meeting. (2) When a minister, from old age, infirmity, or other causes not affecting his ministerial character, cannot continue to perform the labors of his office, and is desirous of being relieved from all the duties thereof without a formal dissolution of the pastoral tie, with the consent of the congregation the Presby ery may agree to such an arrangement, and the honorable position of the minister be accorded to him emeritus. In this case his right to a seat in all Church courts is unchallengeable, but it is not usual for him to claim a seat in the session, the whole control of congregational matters being left with the acting pastor ; and as to his exercising his right of official jurisdiction in other courts, that is a matter which must be left entirely to himself. The Rev J. Treadwell moved that the re. port be adopted, with thanks to the Committee,' and especially to the convener (Rev W. Gillies), as correctly showing the meaning and bearing of the terms “pastors’ emeritus.”

This was agreed to. The Assembly then adjourned till 7 p.m. EVE MING SITTING. The Assembly resumed at 7 p.m. N . TICE OF MOTION. The Rev J. Treadwell gave notice in connection with, and in terms of Mr Ogg’s motion, that when the said motion was moved by Mr Ogg, that he would move— That the attention of the Aseemblyjbe drawn to a breach of privilege committed by the Rev C. S. Ogg, of St Andrew’s, Wellington, and that he bad been guilty of contempt of a decision of the Assembly.

The Rev Mr Ogg thought there should be no jokes in the Assembly, The Rev Mr Treadwell said he was not joking. The Rev Mr Ogg repeated that it should be beneath the dignity of the Assembly to allow practical jokes. The Moderator reminded Mr Ogg that Mr Treadwell had said that he was not joking. The matter then dropped.

The Rev J. Paterson moved that the As-

sembly recognises the position of the Rev

John Moir as a minister emeritus, with a seat in the courts of the Church. Mr Pater-

son said he had much pleasure in moving the motion. It was quite an oversight on the part of the Presbytery of Wellington that the matter had not been brought before the Assembly before. He had no doubt that the Assembly would recognise Mr Moir’s position and standing in the Church. The Rev Mr Calder seconded the motion, which, on being put, was carried unanimously. . Tho Rev Mr Moir acknowledged the kindness of the Assembly. The Rev W. Gillies moved, in accordance with notice, that the Assembly take into consideration the question of Church aud manse debts, and the best means of enabling congregations to borrow on the most favorable terms and gradually extinguish their debts. He said he had brought the motion before the Assembly because he thought it was a matter ef very great importance to the Church. He had seen that Harbor Boards and companies bad gone into the Home market and borrowed large sums of money, and why could not the Church do the same?- He thought that a Church and Manse Building Society should be formed, with a sufficient capital to enable them to issue debentures in the Horae market, and obtain money at a lower rate of interest than

could be obtained here, and that such money should be lent to the congregation at a slight increase of interest, and from any profit thus obtained, and a small call of Is per share, a fund could be created out of which substantial

aid might be given to congregations toward paying off their debts. By this means a present relief of from 1 or 2 per cent, on interest might be enjoyed, and the whole debt gradually extinguished. The Rev Mr McLennan strongly opposed such a scheme as the rev gentleman had propounded. Rev Mr Ogg said that Mr Gillies’ was one of the most absurd schemes he had ever heard in his life ; it was the most extravagant idea that a man could possibly propound. Building societies had a great difficulty in raising money in the London markets. The only way to work off the debts of the churches was by the contributions of the members. " It was a pity that the time of the Assembly should be wasted by discussing such schemes. If Mr Gillies was such a great financier it was a pity he did not give the Colonial Treasurer a little assistance, for he, if auy thing, needed it far more than the Church did. Rev Mr Elmslie seconded Mr Gillies’ motion, and thought that, if given effect to, they would be able in a few years to pay off some of their church debts. Rev T. Cairns thought a committee should be appointed to thoroughly consider such an important question as that before the Assembly. He would move that a committee. consisting of the Revs Gillies (convener), J. Paterson, Cairns, Runeiman, J. G. Patterson (Napier), Messrs Jack, Smith, Bell, McLean, Aitken, and McKerrow be appointed to deal with the matter.

The Rev Mr Calder and Mr Erwin favored the idea of committee. Rev Mr Gillies stated that he had submitted his scheme to a meeting of elders in Christchurch, all of whom were in favor of it, and had urged on him to put it before the Assembly that it might reach the ears of the Church. He was in favor of a committee being appointed to consider the matter, and expressed a wish that business men who were not members of the Church should be asked to join the committee. On being put, the motion was carried. SABBATH SCHOOL REPORT.

The annual report of the above Committee was read as follows : —“ln presenting their annual report on Sabbath Schools your Committee regret that they have again, as usual for many years past, to deplore the small number of returns sent in in reply to their queries from which to draw up a report. Out of 90 circulars sent out only 44 have been returned to the convener. From such scanty materials no reliable statistics can be furnished as to the actual condition of our Sabbath Schools, nor is it possible to institute any comparison between this year’s and last year’s returns, so as to be able to state whether our sohools are flourishing or declining. So far as your Committee can make out from the returns received, and comparing them with last year’s returns, our schools, as to the number of teachers and scholars, the moneys raised by the children for missions and Sabbath School purposes, &c., appear to be much as they were last year. There seems to be an increase in the number of scholars by 234, and a decrease in the number of teachers by 100. It is cheering to be able to state that there is a considerable increase in the number of Bible Classes, and in the number of young men and women attending them, and also that a growing number of ministers are devoting some portion of the ordinary Sabbath morning service to the children who are present in the Church. Your Committee are thankful that these suggestions embodied in their last year’s report have not been without good results, and they hope that there will soon be a Bible Class formed in every congregation, and a few words specially addressed to the children in the house of God by every minister throughout the Church. Your Committee would conclude this necessarily brief and imperfect report By urging the vast importance in these days of this branch of the Church’s work, and appeal to all our ministers to show practical sympathy with the teachers and scholars in their Sabbath schools.”

After some discussion a motion, moved by the Rev Mr Cairns, and seconded by Mr Jack, was carried, That the report should be adopted, and the thanks of the Assembly be given to the Committee, and especially to the Convener, for the care and attention bestowed by him ; and that the Assembly expresses regret that such a small number of returns have been sent in, and remit it to a committee, consisting of the Revs Gil ies, Douglas, J. G. Paterson, Erwin, Monro, Fulton, and Treadwell, to consider whether some general scheme of examination cannot now be initiated resembling that in other churches, to give a - new impulse to -Sabbath school worn. PASTOR EMERITUS. An application from the Wanganui Presbytery, to give Mr Stewart, late of Marton, a seat in the church courts as minister

emeritus, on the ground of the services he is giving to the Church, was considered. On the Tnotion of the Rev Mr Gordon, seconded by Mr Allsworth, it was decided that the position of minister’s emeritU3 be accorded to Mr Stewart. REPORT ON RELIGION AND MORALS.

The Committee on the State of Religion and Morals reported that solid progress had been made in the spiritual work of. the Ohnruh during the past year, and that there were r considerable accessions to the membership of the Church throughout the Colony. The entire tenor of replies on the state of religion was most refreshing, the state of religion being much more hopeful than last year. Meantime, however, the Committee reported that they were confronted with thß unpleasant fact that there were many potent influences which militated against religion, especially gambling, lack of home religious

training, and Sabbath desecration. The spirit of gambling was unhappily widespread and manifestly on the increase. With it was bound up the pernicious influence of the racecourse. Gambling was nowhere more, rampant than there. The besetting sin of * our rising generation was unquestionably the vice of gambling. It oftentimes had its origin at the billiard-table, from which it gravitated naturally to the turf, where it assumed a more exciting fo m. It was truly appalling to contemplate the immense sains of money squandered in this manner. Moreover, it was to be deplored that men occupying the highest positions in the State patronised this fruitful source of moral degradation. Nor were some Churches free from censure in this matter. The princu pie of lotteries at bazaars was the same, and therefore merited greater condemnation when practised under the sacred sanction of religion. The Committee earnestly desired te draw the attention of the ! Assembly to this colossal evil, that its voice might be raised against so fruitful a source of peril to religion and morals. Another element of moral danger was the lack of home religious training. A distinguished judge had expressed astonishment at the prevalence of juvenile criminality, notwithstanding educational advantages. The seat of the disease, however, was deeper than the intellect, and could only be eradicated by spiritual means. The Church, therefore, had a very solemn duty imposed upon it; bat with regard to the moral and spiritual life of the rising generation, the Committee draw attention to the urgent and important neces-

sifcy of pressing upon parents the absolute need ;of special religious training in their families. Only in that way was it possible to raise the moral tone of the young, and produce that healthy spirit of reverence which was so essential in a young colony. Another influence which militated against spiritual religion and morals was Sabbath desecration. A large number oE people in towns and cities made the Lord’s Day a time of pleasure, regardless of its claims and sanctities. Volunteers parading tended to secularise the Sabbath. In bringing their report to a close, the Committee made a few suggestions as to the best means of promoting spiritual life in the Church. Briefly summarised, the important points of interest were “greater faithfulness in the ministry,” “more thorough consecration of ministers and office-beare-s,” “more decided separation of' the Church from the world,” “some means of utilising the latent talent in their Churches, and the appointment, if possible, of special agents for holding mission services in the congregation;” “acontinuance of special services once a year, a conference of Christians,” and several other suggestions of a like character. In concluding their report the Committee recommended the Assembly to adopt the following suggestions as both practicable and important :—(1) That a conference on Christian life and work be held

by each Presbytery at an early date, which would be open to the general public; (2) that in every Presbytery there should be an Evangelistic Committee ; (3) that sermons be preached on the necessity oE Christian training in families, also on the evils of gambling and Sabbath desecration • (4) that the Very Rev Moderator issue a pastoral letter after the rising of the Assembly on the necessity of a revival of religion, and appointing a day for special prayer in all the congregations of the Church, to be followed by a week of evangelistic services. The Rev Mr Treadwell moved, owing to the lateness of the hour, that the discussion on the report be adjourned till this evening. Agreed to.

The Rev Mr McCallum wished to give notice of a motion, that the Assembly resolve to petition the Legislative Assembly that the use of the totalisator be made illegal. The Rev Mr Treadwell remarking that he had a more comprehensive motion to bring up on the report, Mr McCallum withdrew his notice. NOTICE OF MOTION. The Rev Mr Gillies gave notice that he would move that a committee bo appointed to prepare. the minute in reference to the death of the late Rev James Brace, of Onehunga. A recommendation from the Auckland Presbytery that the scholarship held by R. M. Ryburu should be continued to him, notwithstanding that he was unable to present himself for examination in November, owing to examination for his degree, was agreed to. ORDER OF BUSINESS. The report on rules and forms of procedure will be considered at this morning’s sittings, and in the evening the reports on foreign missions, temperance, and religion aud morals will beconsidered. The Assembly adjourned at 10 p.m. till 10 a.m. next day.

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