THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13136, 21 November 1904, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand opened its proceedings on the Bth inst. in St. John's Church, Wellington, in tho. presenco of a large congregation. In the iibsciic-o of tho retiring Moderator (tho Rev. Dr Walt) the opening services were conducted by the Rev. James I'aterson, ex-Modoiaror, who preached from Kphcsians iv, 3: " Endeavouring to keep the unity of tho Spirit in the bond of peace." After the usual communion scrvice tin Assembly roil was taken as read. Tho voting delegates number nearly 200, tho total of delegates in attendance numbering cbse upon 250. The Rev. Dr Envin, of Christehureh, was elected Moderator for the year. Tho length of tlio reports submitter! and tlie overtures proposed was so great that W6 can but give the merest outline of tho business, which extended' over eight days.SECOND DAY. The Rev. Dr Sidcy presented the treasurer's report, which contained the following information:— The balances to credit in most of the fuuds this year are large. This may lead to misapprehension on expenditure if tho various items are not taken carefully into account. Tho amount contributed from all sources, legacies and otherwise, for the Foreign Mission was £2872 lis 3d, and tho expenditure was £2183 6s 3d. leaving £CS9 as 5d above expenditure. -The Canton Yillago Mission had an income, including legacies and other large gifts, of £1841 Ss Sd; the expenditure was £G45 13s lOd, leaving £695 14s 5d above expenditure. The Canton Village Building Fund had an income of £610 15s Id, and an expenditure of £621 lCs, leaving a deficiency on incDine of £11 Os lid. The Zanana fund had an incomc of £399 5s 4d, and an expenditure of £370 2s -Id, leaving £20 3s over expenditure. Hie hospital account had an increase of £76 17s and an expenditure of £19 Ss fc'd, leaving -£57 6s over expenditure. The Dayspring Fund had an incomo of £330 14s 9d and an expenditure of £388 lis, leaving a deficiency on income of £57 lGs 3d. Tho Native Teachers' Fund had an income of £334 lis 4d and an expenditure of £465 13s 7d, leaving a deficiency on income of £131 2s 3d. The Maori Mission had an income oi £390 13s 7d and an expenditure of £49G 103, leaving £494 3s'7d over expenditure. The Maori Girls' Schoyl had an incomo of £436 7s lid and an expenditure of £1G 14s 6d, leaving £139 13s sd-over expenditure. The Widows' and Orphans' Fund of Otago had an income of £1047 8s 3d and an expenditure of £909 8s 3d, leaving an addition of £13S 0s Gd capital. The Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund of Otago had an income of £1332 3s 4d and an expenditure of £797 Is 3d, leaving an addition of £534 13s Id to go to capital. This sum includes £250 previously treated under legacy account. The Northern Widows and Orphans' Fund had an income of £1031 19s 6d and an expenditure of £232 5s 7d, leaving £799 13s lid to be added to capital. Tho Northern Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund had an incomc of £634 19s 3d and an expenditure of £761 12s 6d, leaving a deficiency of £125 13s 3d. The Assembly Expense Fund has largely shared in the prosperity of the other funds. It had an incomc of £1239 17s Id, and an expenditure of £996 Ss lid. leaving £233 S3 2d over expenditure.. When added to the balance of last year there is a credit balance of £942 19s. The report of the. Church Property Trustees. presented by Mr James M'Kerrow, contained Die following information:— The trustees report that there kavo been six. gifts of freehold property and four bequeaths of property and money to the church.. The six donors of freehold property . are Mr James Uumgay, one half of a house and lsmd in Wellington, of a present value of £350, for missions; Mr Duncan Cameron, a manse site of 10 acres at Methvcn, Canterbury; Mr Johnston,, a. church site of one acre at Lauriston, Canterbury; Mr James Adams, a farm.of B1 acres m Tokomariro district, Otago, in aid ot scholarships; Messrs Drummond, a church sito of 16 perches at'Moulere, Nelson; the Messrs Haldane Bros., a church sitt; of onequarter acre at Takaka, Nelson, on which a church has recently been erected. The four bequests are—From the late G. Nye, jun., £75 to the Palmerston North Church; from the late Mr Humphrey, £100 lo St. Paul's, Napier; from the lato Mrs Tutchen, land and shop in Pirie street, Wellington, yielding about £30' a - year not, to be i)sod in'helping students for the ministry;.from the late Mi'sb Isabella Miuson, of Feilding,- a sum of £4400 for the following funds: and .Infirm Ministers, £1500; Widows- and Orphans, £1000; Residential Theolqgical College, Dunedin, £1000; SustenlatiQDj £3W; New Hebrides. wd Maori'

Missions (£100), £300: Presbyterian Orphan Children's Home, £50; Church Extension, Back Blocks, North. Island, £50; Presbyterian Church, Feilding, £200. Regarding the investment of the provident and other funds of the church, the trustees are pleased to report that they are in a very satisfactory condition. The report was adopted. Tho report of the Publications Committee showed that the Outlook was making steady and satisfactory progress. Tlie Ilev. AY. J. Comrie presented the report on statistics, the main tenor of which is as follows: —

Compared with last year, there is evidence of steady, though not rapid, increase all along the line. The niimb?r of charges, churches, schoolrooms, and manses, the attendance at public worahii) and at the week night prayer meetings, the cuinmunicauts, the ordinary revenue, tho contributions for missions and for building, etc., and the total revenue all show an increase. Thero are now 205 charges and JI» stations, 354 churches and 191 manses. The number of communicants, if fully reported, is probably over .10.000. and the total revenue for the year considerably over £11)0.000. 11l ono respect, and that a very regrettable one, thero is a considerable decrease. The number of accessions by examination has fallen from 185" for last year to 15M. All the larger Presbyteries share in the decrease, those showing an increase being Mataur.i, Wcs'.land, Nelson, and Turanaki.

Tho Assembly resumed at o'clock in the evening, when the Moderator delivered an address on "The Christ of History," prefacing his address with some remarks en the Scottish Free Church case, which were received with continued applause. Tho Rev. 1». M. Ryeburn presented tho Maori Missions report, including the report of the Maori Gir's' School at Turakina. The report, a lengthy one, contained the following information:— Your committee report on the Maori Mission v.-ork of the past year with deep thankfulness to God. The greatly increasing interest- oi the Church in this mission has been well maintained during the year. The income has been larger than in any previous year: it has amounted to £390 133 7d. Ilic committee are confident that the efforts of the Church in this work will be well repaid. The fact- that the missionaries live among the Maoris, and act not only as spiritual teachers but general advisers, will produco good results in the near future. Tiie Church should look forward to having a third missionary, and developing the work of each missionary by employing Maori assistants to help him; and, if nccessary, iho education and training oi young Maori men should be paid for. Tho E«v, A. Cameron presented tho report of tho Theological College Committee, including the reports of Professors Watt and Dunlop. The report stated that there wero 15 jugular students. About 40 University studonU, chiefly in Otago, are cxpccted to enter the college. THIRD DAY. On the motion of the Revs. A. Cameron and W. Scorgie, the Rov. D. Borrie was unanimously nominated Moderator for 1905 amidst a hearty round of applause. The temperance report was presented by the Rev. J. Clarke (t'alaierston South). Tho following are extract* from the report: Your committee felt that it was especially desirable at the present time to ascertain the mind of the Church on two questions vitally connected with the cause of temperance in this colony. These questions were: (1) The practical effects of the no-licenso and reduction votes of 1902, and (2) the proposal in re State control of the liquor traffic. Oil the question of State control, an overwhelming majority of those replying are hostile to this novel, not to say questionable, system. As to tho benefits of no-license and reduction, the unanimous and cordial expression of opinion in regard to these benefits is most significant and impressive.

These returns, sent in by those who livo in the "midst of the electorates which have more or less revealed the effects of the popular vote, prove beyond a doubt the moral and social benefits alike of reduction and no-license. Clutha stands no longer alone in her grateful experience of the blessings of no-license. The Rev. G. I}. Inglis (Ashburtou) seconded the motion, and gave a glowing report of no-license in his electorate. On last show day, despite a raging dust storm and one of . the most thirsty of days, there were. no arrests for drunkennc-as, and up to tho sth of the month no inmates of the police cells. The police had nothing to do. Public drunkenness had entirely disappeared from Aslihurton. They had quietness, peace,, and Urdbr. There was a higher standard of comfort, and in every way tho effects of no-licenso were so delightful tlat lie hoped the whole colony would speolilv haste-to t hero.—lAjesl J

The Rev. A. Gray detailed some of the benefits of no-license hi Gore. One of tho leading storekeepers there slated that in a turnover of £2Cl'o he hud lost only £6 in bad debts. The young men liatl ho temptation to get drunk. In the township of Gore, under license, in 1902-3 there were 4<l arrests for drunkenness. Under no-license in 19034 there were only seven arrests, ami the majority of these came from outlying districts.

, Mr James Adam (Tokomairiro) related ' some incidents showing the evil effects of | tho reopening of hotels in Bruce against tho : expressed wish of the electors. The Kev. \V. Hewitson presented the 1 report on Foreign Missions, which was taken a.s read. The report is a lengthy one, and tlio following are cxtraef-s from it:—

The following persona constitute tile missionary staff of our Church:—New Hebrides: Iter. John T. Bowie, H. 8., Cft.M., Ambrim; Kev. 11. Lamb, M.A., 8.D., M.8.. Cli.it.', New South Wales; l'ev. O. Miclielscu, Tongoa; Bcv. P. Mihic, Nguna; Kev. T. E. Riddle, Epi; Rev. AV. Watt, ..Tanna. Assistants—Mrs-'Morris, nurse, Ambrim; Mr W. V. Milne, Nguna; Mr G. Thomson. Ambrim; Mew Zealand: liev. A.

-■•!, Uunedin; assistant, Mr Win. Y. E. Chan, Dunediu. India: Miss Henderson, Est. Cli., Madras; Miss Macgrcgor, U.F. Ch., Madras', Miss Giescn, U.P. Cli., Nagpur. Canton: Bow George Hunter M'Neur, Pati; Rov. William Mawson, M.A.. Fat-i; Mr T. F. Loic, student American Presbyterian College, Canton. Mr Hewitson moved the following resolution:—''That the Assembly adopt the report and its recommendations; express gratitude to God for tho zealous and' effective work of our missionaries during another year; rejoice with Dr Bowie oh his restoration to health, and congratulate Dr and Mrs Bowie and the Rev. W. and Mrs Watt on their anticipated return to their much-loved work next year, after a wellearned furlough; sympathise-with Dr Lamb in his_ recent- sickness, accept his resignation with regret, instruct the Mission Synod to remove his name from the roll, declare him a missionary emeritus with a seat in tho Assembly and the Christehureh Presbytery; sympathise with Dr M'Causland, locum tenens of Dr Bowie, on his enforced retirement from the Islands owing to his wife's health; express gratitude to God for the encouragement in connection with work among the Chinese, and tlio ordination of Messrs W. Chan, Paul Chan, and Lo Keong as elders in the Chinese Church, Duncdin, the ordination of 'Mr Wm. Chan as missionary, and the safe return of Mr T. Pay Loie to Now Zealand after a successful coursc of. study in tho American Presbyterian College at Canton; agree to take over the Chinese work formerly carried on on the West Coast by the C.E. Union of Canterbury and Wpstland; authorise the committee, if it sco fit. to appoint a medical missionary to the Canton Village Mission; agreo to the committee's reeotnmemklion to raiso the salaries of the Canton missionaries; offer to the United Free Church to pay the whole of the salaries of Miss M'Gregor arid Miss Giesen for a period of three years; thank the congregations and individual donors for the liberal support given' to our mission schemes, the P.W.M.U. and the student deputies for valuable help in connection with the work; express to the sons of tho late Mrs Clark hearty appreciation of their mother's generous bequests to tho mission fuuds of the Church. Wo now oommend our mission work to the prayerful sympathy of the Church, also thank the convener and Miss "Winnie Rule, who has acted as secretary to the committee - with glad devotion." Mr Hewitson reviewed interestingly the various points in the, report, and concluded by saying tljat the work of the foreign missions would not more forward until the members and ministers felt the need of the work. , Tho motion was carried with enthusiasm. Mr Hewitson next introduced Mr Timothy Fay Loic, who is about to take up the work on tho West Coast.

Mr Loie delivered a., quaint and interesting address, descriptive of the need, of the Chinese Mission, both in Canton and in New Zealand. The speech evoked much enthusiasm, and was loudly applauded. Mr Hctvitson presented for ordination Mr Wm. Chan, probationer, as.a, minister of the Church. The - Moderator put the/ usual questions, which '.were translated into Chineso by the Rev. A. Don. - After the J ceremony of laying on of hands, the Moderator extended to the Key. William Chan the right hand, of fellowship, and welcomed him to the. ministry "of the Church. Tho Rev. A. Don delivered the charge to the newly-ordained minister in Chinese, and afterwards addressed the congregation. Tliis miisioilafy'. meeting, which wh largely att-ended 'fo number of

Chincso being amongst Ihe audience), eon. eluded at a lato hour with the benediction. Before tho Assembly adjourned a donation of £200 for Maori missions was announced from Mr John Findlay, of Invcrcargill. FOURTH DAY. The liev. .Tamos Paterson presented tho Church Extension report (Northern section), of which the following are some extracts: — The committee has every reason to believe that ihe important subject of home missions js slowly but surely gaining the place in tho heart and thoughts, in the prayers and practical sympathy of our people, that it deserves to hold. Mr J. G. W. Aitkcn presented the treastatement of the Northern Church Extension Fund, which showed a balance in han.d of £219. This balaneo was already absorbed, and no money was at present available. In order to raise funds the committee had asked tho Rev. James Paterson to visit tho presbyteries and congregations and lay before them the need of the Church Extension Fund. lie believed that tho annual incomo could easily bo raised from £900 to £2000. Tho Rev. D. ]iorrie presented the report of the Southern Church Extension Fund. This report was very lengthy. The following are some extracts:— >. Two ihitigs are noteworthy this year in Otago and Southland—namely, the large number of vacancies and the gradual filling in of the gaps by subdivision. There are no fewer than 10 vacancies 1:1 the regular charges of the Church, •some of them of unusually 1011.4 standing. The help given by the students in carrying out the work entrusted to your committee is too varied to be reported upon iu detail further than as casually mentioned already; but the committee would rccord thnt such help was largely given, and given read fly and generously wherever needed. Our students for the ministry are now as necessary to our work as arc tho home missionaries. We could not get on without them, and we aro glad to give them such an opportunity of sorving themselves and the whole Church, and thus gladly acknowledge tho invaluable nature of their services. FIFTH DAY. Tho Rev. Dr Giblj moved and the Rev. W. Gray Dixon seconded the following motion:—"This Assembly desire.s to express its profound sympathy with tho United Free Church of Scotland in the calamitous position in which it has been placed by the recent decision of tho House of Lords; it protests against tho principle on which the decision is based—that a Christian Church has no r igiit to modify its doctrine in harmony with fuller knowledge of Holy Scripture und the leading of the Spirit of God without risk of losing its material possessions indispensable to the carrying 011 of its work; it regards tho decision as subversive of tho liberty wherewith Christ has made His Church free, and for which Scottish Prcsbyterianism throughout the centuries has witnessed a good confession; it prays that the United Free Church may be divinely guided at this crisis of its history, and that He Who makes all things work together for good to His people may so overrule this disaster that the Kingdom of Christ in Scotland and throughout the world may bo all the more advanced thereby." The Moderator and several other members appealed to Dr Gibb and the Rev. TV. Cray Dixon to dciete the contentious clause in tho motion in order that the resolution of sympathy with tho Free Church might bo unanimously passed. With expressed reluctance the mover and seconder agreed. An amendment was withdrawn, and the motion was earricd, the House standing. It was agreed that tho resolution be cablcd Home to the United Free Church. On Saturday afternoon the Assembly delegates were the guests of Mr John Duthio, M.H.R., at a garden party. On Saturday evening a large number of the delegates attended an organ recital given by Mr Maughan Barnett in St. John's Church. At its conclusion Dr Nisbet thanked tho organist for tho musical treat provided. On Sunday the city and suburban pulpits were oeeupicd by visiting ministers. SIXTH DAY. The Rev. A. Cameron reported on tho Jubilee Fund. The capital of the fund, which was reported last year as amounting to £9348 13s Id, has been Increased by donations from Lawrence to £9502 33 Id. Since the closias pf the nswunts b bequest

ol £245 hasbeen' received from the Rev. R. Mackif, tho oxecutor of tho will of Hie late Henry Berwick,- of South Dunodin. This brings the total capital to £9747 3s Id. vlhcy hope soon to see the total raisotl to £10.000. Twenty-six congregations hold' loans from this fund amounting to £3751 12s '6d. .

The Rev. A. Cameron presented the report of tho Residential College Committee, as follows:— Your committee has pleasure in reporting that the second annual instalment o[ £2000 lias been paid over to the committee by Mr John Itoss; also, that Mr G. F. Bullen, of Kaikoura;' has promised : £500 if nine others will give a like sum. In reply to this offer one gentleman has intimated to the committee that tie has arranged that the college shall receive £500 from liiß estate, and Mr John Siclev, of Caversham, lias promised to become one of tho nine donors of £500. It must also be gratitying to the Assembly to know that- the late. Miss Manson, of Feilding, has bequeathed £1090 .to the college during the year.

The report on Sabbath schools was presented by tho Rev. R. Ferguson, who moved its adoption. The report stated: —

A greater number of scholars sat for the annual examination than d!i any previous year, except 1903. The returns show a decrease of 155. scholars, 321 papers, and 61 essays as compared with 1903. When these figures are compared with those of last year, it appears that there lias been a considerable decrease in the number of entrants. Only the four following presbyteries show an increase—viz.: Southland, Wellington, Oamaru, and Wanganui. Such a general decline of interest in tho examination scheme calls for comment, and it is evident that there is need for increased effort on the part of all concerned. For tho whole Church, the Sabbath schools number -IG3, with a total of 20,453 scholars (12,010 boys and 14.434 girls), and an average attendance of '18,335. There are 10G3 male teachers and 1500 female teachers. The total contributions are i 1507 for Sabbath school purposes, £1170 for missions, and £1160 made by Bible classes. The table shows considerable increase in schools and scholars. As opposed to this, there is a considerable decrease in the number teachers.

Your committee lias also to report a gratifying increase in Bible classes. The continued improvement in Bible classes and Christian Endeavour Societies may bo Attributed to the efforts of the Rev. ,T. C. Jamieson. There are now 209 Bible classes, as against 240 in 1903, with a membership of 5018, as against 3981, an increase for the year of 10C4. The C.E. Societies number !)D,. with a. membership of 3126, as against 83 and 2483 la3t year. Bible class contributions have very largely increased tin's year. The increase has mainly taken place in two presbyteries—viz., Wellington and Dunodin. Decision week was observed to a very limited degree. Special services on children's day show an increase of 41 over last year. The finance report is very gratifying. SEVEXTII DAY. Tho Rev. D. Bot'rio, who appeared in support of the overture, moved as follows:— "That presbyteries bo strongly recommended to make suitable, arrangements within their bounds for tho public celebration during 1905 of the quartcr-centcnaty of John Knox, tho illustrious reformer of Scotland; and that a committee bo set up to arrange for a. special meeting at next Assembly." Tho motion was carried. It waß resolved to hold tho next meeting in Auckland. The Rev. I)r Gihb introduced a deputation from tho Wellington Ministers' Association, consisting of the Revs. J. Reed Glasson (president), C. Dallaston, P. JV. Fairclough, W. Newman' Hall, and 11. L. Biamiros (secretary). On tho motion of the Rev. .T. H. Mackenzie it was agreed that the following be granted the rank of ministers' emeriti, with a scat in tho Proshvtery and Assembly: — Revs. A. T. BcaUie, James Maxwell, A. Grcig, E. Toliord, and J. Gcllie. The Assembly then went into .committee lo consider the applications of ministers for admission into the Church. Upon rosuming, tho Moderator reported the following decisions:—Revs. W. T. Currie. Alexander Saugstcr, Colin Robertson. A. K. Ross, and John M'lnnos to bo received without probation; Keys. 11. Williams and V. Stiiblij to be received aftor a year's probation; Rev. William AYoollcs to lie received in the homo missionary platform; and Rev. R. C. Sands be not received, Tho reports of the State of Religion and Home Missionary Committees were adopted. EIGHTH~DAY. Memorial minutes on tho late Revs. \V. Paul llatliew (of Whangarci), Charlci Ogg (St. Andrew's, Wellington), and James A. Will (Lawrence) were agreed to. The reports of the Aged and Infirm Ministers' and Widows' and Orphans' Funds Committee wore adopted. The draft of an address to his Excellency Lord Plunkct, welcoming him to the colony and expressing loyalty to the throne, was adopted. A petition asking that the resident ministers at the chief ports of the colonv be appointed nav-il clnplains was adopted. .A considerable amount of routine business was put through, and the Assembly concluded its deliberations.