DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19550, 5 August 1925, Page 4

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The monthly meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery, held at first Church yesterday morning, was presided over by tho Model ator (tho Kcv. J. M. Simpson). Arrangements were completed for the induction of tho Rev. J. IV. M'Kenzie at Port Chalmers at a Jato to bo iixed. A SOCIAL SERVICE PROBLEM. Tho Rov. G. 11. Japp wrote drawing attention to the largo numbers of children in orphanages directly supported by denominational agencies, amounting in all to 3560. To tbeso must bo added as many ii. oro who were wards of the State. IVo had known that tho home life of our land had been breaking down very sadly, but if this continued to be it was easily seen that our condition as a people would bo sad in tho extreme. Ho suggested that the Presbytery’s Plublio Question Committee should discuss tho matter and frame an overture asking the Assemhly|s Public Questions Committee to confer with other denominations with a view to concerted action at a definite time to bring before (he people of tho dominion tho peril in which wo were placed through tho decay 7 of homo life. Ho thought that any action taken should bo concerted, and, as far as possible, dominion wide. On Hie motion of the Clerk of Presbytery. tho Rev. J. Kilpatrick, it was decided to refer tho matter to Hie Public Questions Committee and the Social Service Commit tee.

Mr Jupp said he had made it quite clear in his letter that he was not making any kind of attack on the social service work of tho church. , He referred to the matter of congestion of houses through tho practice of sublotting, and said ho merely wished to bring the matter before the Presbytery for full consideration and discussion. PUBLIC QUESTIONS. The Rev. W. Trotior presented a report from tho Public Questions Committee. They wanted to emphasise tho need for Sunday observance, and thov wanted to urge thoir people to he more and more, devoted to the Sabbath. The matter had come before the City Council recently, and ho thought it was a pity that some of tho councillors should be charged with narrowness. It was verv easy to claim breadth.' Ho was afraid that many of those who claimed breadth had only shallowness behind them. It would bo found that those who sought to servo the interests of tho Lord’s Day were seeking tho good of tho whole community—tho intellectual, moral, and spiritual good, and the social and commercial good as well. They should lot it lie known that they wanted to do their best to conserve tho interests of the Lord 3 Day, which meant tho interests of worship and tho Christian religion. They also had tho matter of lotteries again before them, and it had boon referred to tho Assembly s committee in Wellington. The fear was that that tho law in this respect was simply being overriden. A small committee had been appointed to visit tho American fioct and offer a welcome. The report was adopted. HOUR OF EVENING SERVICE. Tho Secretary of the Council of Christian Congregations wrote stating that tho council had Loon requested to consider (ho advisability of altering'tho hour of the evening service during tho summer months from h’3o to 7. All (he Presbyterian mmisters oi tho oily and suburbs bad boon communicated with on tho subject, and t’no council desired to have tho mind of tile Pre-hytery upon it. The Rov. \V. Trot!or said that if anybody in tho Presbytery desired the change they should bring (ho matter forward and let it ho considered with ri«C!is. The Rev. Dr Merrington said that there was quite a body of opinion that the hour of 6.31 was too' early. Many visitors did not, find out. (ho early time, of the evening service bore till it was too In I o to go. It made a. great rush for many church workers, whoso time was fully occupied on (he K unda v. One elmren which had id read v made the change reported to the Council of Christian Congregations that a largely increased attendance had resulted. It was very largely a matter of local convenience, and it was very undesirable that ono ehiircli should admit an hour without consideration of (ho feelings of others. Personally, lie would ho in favour of 7 o'clock, but. iii any case he thought that notliing hut good could come from a full discussinn. The Rev. J. J. Cairney said that most country eongregai lons met now at. 7 o’clock. Tiie Rev. J. Kilpatrick moved that the matter Ho referred to the Public Questions Committee for renort. Tho Rev. K. J. Tipler moved ns an amendment that the matter ho sent to kirk sessions. It was a matter of individual convenience.

Mr Trotter seconded the clerk's motion, nnrl said it: was vary desirable tliat thev should all art together in this matter. One church moot it iit at one hour and another at another would produce great confusion. Mr Tipler’s amendment was carried. WEEK NIGHT PIdAYER MEETINGS. The Rev. C. Miller reported on (lie matter of the week-night prayer meeting. The committee agreed on the supreme importance of prayer, and had considered various hindrances to the prayer meeting and means hy which it could he made more effective. 'l'he committee favoured variety of methods and the formation of covenant: leagues. More care should be exorcised in the admission of church members. An aggressive evangelism was absolutely necessary to the growth of the Church. The suggestions in the report, raised a lengthy and practical discussion on prayer and prayer meetings, at the close of which Mr Miller was thanked for his report. DATE OF ASSEMBLY AIEETING. Tho Rov. J. Kilpatrick aid there was a general fooling that, a blunder had been made in postponing tho date- of tho Assembly meeting for a week and a day. Ho thought it should begin on Tuesday, November 10. instead of Wednesday, November 11. It, was decided to recommend tho change. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. The, Rev. d. Kilpatrick moved that tho Presbytery' support what was known as tho I silt Bill for Bible reading in Stale schools. Tins was unanimously carried.