PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23044, 21 November 1936, Page 11

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CHURCH SCHOOLS DISCUSSED (Special to Daily Times) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 20. At the morning sederunt of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand Mr J. B. Mawson, principal of St. Andrew’s College, addressed members. He said he was originally opposed to church schools as tending to become class institutions, but close contact with them had caused him to alter his view, for no tendency was evident toward such an objectionable outcome. Due largely to the influence of country boys with a healthy, frank outlook, class distinctions were not tolerated. He felt that the work in church schools gave a unique opportunity of influencing boys religiously, and for this reason he valued the position he held, which enabled him to give to the pupils a knowledge of Scripture and church history as a foundation for their future lif6. Some parents living in the tropics, for example, had to send their sons to boarding schools and a church school gave the proper atmosphere. A serious problem was the lack of support on the part of parents who seemed to be unaware of the value of the schools. They were steadily making progress to a solution of their financial problems. The St. Andrew’s Old Boys’ Association was giving great help in every way. The problem of the relationship of the college and the church was being solved, and presbyteries were taking a deeper and more sympathetic interest. BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT The Rev. J. G. Dunn, presenting the report of the Board of Educa-, tion, said increases were reported from all the colleges, especially in the case of Solway and Queen Margaret girls’ schools. The financial position was thus much easier. Many business men of the community had helped the schools, giving large sums to found them, and hence the church should stand solidly behind the schools. The ideal of the founders of the schools was being carried out carefqlly by the principals and teachers. Regarding military training, against which the last assembly passed a resolution, the boards’ of governors of the boys’ colleges said the abandonment of military training would be a retrograde step. They commended the idea of a scholarship fund to the assembly. The Rev. H. A. Mitchell said the church ought to be proud of their colleges and should support them heartily. Many ministers were doing nothing for them. University distinctions were being won by expupils of the colleges. The Rev. R. Dodds asked why, afier almost a generation, there was still a certain amount of opposition to church schools. He paid a tribute to the work of the State schools and said what could be got in the church schools could be obtained in the State schools. The tendency was to divide into compartments when as a church they should be drawing the denominations together. The Rev. A., A. Armstrong said that in Scots College boys of various denominations and nationalities were being trained and this destroyed the contentions of Mr Dodds. THE ADVISORY BOARD At the evening sederunt of the assembly the Rev. John Paterson moved the abolition of the Advisory Board and that in its place a Finance Committee consisting of the Church Property Trustees and representatives of the Missions Committee, the Youth, and Theological Hall Committees be set up, and this was agreed to. THE CHURCH MILITANT Resuming the discussion on the life and work report, the Rev. R. S. Watson moved —“That ministers and home missionaries in public and private seek to awaken members of congregations to a sense of personal responsibility for the unconverted.” The Rev. F. Wilkinson said the committee hoped this motion would be treated as more than a pious resolution, but rather one to be acted upon heartily. The Rev. R. S. Watson moved —“ That the assembly authorise presbyteries, in consultation with the Life and Work Committee, to appoint men with outstanding evangelistic gifts for special evangelism.” The idea behind the motion envisages the calling of an outstanding man from overseas to visit New Zealand for a period of several months, or that in some charge a minister of gifts might be' set aside for some months to do evangelistic work SUNDAY OBSERVANCE Speaking to the suggestion that the first Sunday in July be appointed for special services on the observance of Sunday, the Rev. J. Davie pointed out that the careless observance of Sunday was prevalent among church members, and he called upon the elders present at the assembly to bring this scandal before their fellow-elders and members of their congregations with a view to having a more conscientious observance of Sunday. GREETINGS TO GERMAN CHURCH It was decided to send fraternal greetings to the Confessional Church in Germany and assure it of the warm interest in, and understanding of, the witness made by it to the historic reformed principle of the sovereignty of God and the alone headship of Christ. The Rev. J. T. Steele pointed out that New Zealand Presbyterians did not wish to comment on political matters in Germany, but desired the Confessional Church to realise that they stood with them in adherence to the reformed faith. CHURCH UNITY The Rev. J. M. Bates moved—“ That all encouragement be given in order to foster the growing spirit of unity between the churches.” He said that it was far more necessary to realise and emphasise the points of common belief in the churches and so bring all together on to a firmer understanding of the essentials of the Christian faith in Christ. MINISTRY OF HEALING The Life and Work Committee was directed to consider the church’s ministry of healing for the purpose of reestablishing this through faith and prayer in co-operation with the medical profession and with the aid of modern scientific knowledge. It was believed that this was worthy of full and careful study. Mr Malcolm Fraser said the idea incorporated in the proposal originated in St.-John’s Bible Class, Wellington, which had been forced to consider the matter through its own experiences. Dr Salmond urged that the question be studied sympathetically, pointing out that in many places in the old world ministers acted as helpers of sick souls. The Oxford Group Movement helped many people because it dealt with sickness in men’s souls. Christian Science reached some people because it touched a point in some people’s minds where sickness was harboured.’ He trusted that the matter would be carefully considered. SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS The report on social relationships was presented by the Rev. J. D. Smith, who said that some doubted whether the church should deal with social matters. In India, however, mission-

aries had to help the downtrodden masses to economic independence. So at home, the church must see that her people considered politics while not interfering in politics. People should make a conscience of considering social problems and undertake the task of guiding the thought of the community. The reading and study of the Bible must result in helping towards a better state of social life. “ The man who cannot see this to be his duty is running away from the real problem," Mr Smith said. “ Too many are afraid of the problems because they are hard. This was the cause of the fate of the Churcli in Russia and Spain, where worship and righteousness were divorced.” CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP The assembly resolved to urge people to fulfil to the utmost their duty as Christian citizens, whether as employed or employers, and as far as possible worthily to earn their living and promote beneficial economic activity in the spirit of those who seek to do all as unto God. • Mr Smith said that Christians should set an example in this matter. Because the Government had passed certain legislation, that was no reason why Christians should refrain from doing their utmost. He instanced the nursing profession in hospitals working long hours, even though it was the worst-paid group in the community. That was the true spirit for the Christian in the community. NATIONAL PENSIONS Moving that the assembly approve the principle of contributory national health and superannuation schemes, the Rev. J. D. Smith said the church should try to build up a sense of independence in the community. The contribution of a regular amount made for that end. and was better than the old age pension scheme. “A FASCIST IDEA” It was moved that the Government introduce compulsory citizenship training for young people with the military element excluded but including physical culture, civics, and moral instruction. The view was expressed that the increased leisure now in the hands of the people might make for evil deeds and the Government should take the lead in the efforts to meet the problem. Efforts must come from an authoritative body, though the church should also take her share at once. It was felt that unless there was more of the discipline of citizenship in the community the people were in danger of losing their democratic rights. Mr Smith said that many of the troubles of to-day were due to a loosening of discipline in the community. The Rev. A. C. Watson moved that the committee be instructed to examine youth movements in other lands and the compulsory citizen training systems of other lands and report to the next assembly. He said that the proposal put forward by the committee was open to objection as dangerous. The Rev. J. Paterson considered the idea most destructive of individualism. The stereotyped thinking involved in the motion of the committee was most insidious and the Presbyterian tradition should prevent it from being considered at all. There was really a Fascist idea behind the motion if careful consideration were given to the terms in which it was expressed. In reply, Mr Smith accepted the amendment, but urged that liberty could come only with discipline, nor could it be thought that people would be dragooned by the Government. A balanced opinion was required and that must be kept in view by all people at all times. The discussion was adjourned.