PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23648, 4 November 1938, Page 8

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST BUSINESS SESSION : ADOPTION OF RETORTS The first business session of the General Assembly ,of the .Presbyterian Church of New Zealand was held yesterday in First Church, the moderator (the Rev. T. R; Riddle) presiding. Prior to the commencement of the business a commemorative devotional service was held. ' ,'i Messages of Goodwill Cablegrams expressing ■: good wishes for the deliberations’ of the assembly were received from the Rev, John Flynn (Sydney), better known as “Flynn of the Inland,” and the Punjab Mission Council' Obituary Reference was made by the moderator to the deaths of the following:— J. E. Adams, R. H. Blair, W. Butterworth, R. H. Catherwood, W. Gilmour, A. Greig, J. B. Hall W. H. Johnson, I. Jolly, T. Knight, G; M. Macdonald. D, Martin, T. Stinson, W. Tanner. J. D. Webster, A. A. G. Lion, B. C. Galloway. The customary tribute to the memory of the deceased was paid. Sympathy The moderator was authorised to send a letter of, sympathy to the Rev. Dr S. W, Currie- who. it was reported, was very ill. ' ■■ ■: ■ ‘ W ' ■ • LIFE AND WORK COMMITTEE The Rev. Ronald Watson (Christchurch) moved the adaption of the report of the Life and Work Committee :'■■■ , ~ C - The report stated. inter, alia:—’ Evangelism In response tq a request for assistance the committee made a small, grant towards‘‘.the expenses of the Mission to University Colleges by the Rev. H. J. Ryburn hinder the auspices of the New Zealand Student Christian Movement. The chairman of that organisation has written expressing apSreciation of the help received from le Presbyterian Church in its work In the University. , The committee is of the opinion that there are amongst the ministers of the church a number who are specially gifted to carry out evangelistic missions. It asked presbyteries to nominate those whom they considered suitable and who might be available. A number of names were submitted. These were revised and added to by the committee. The list so formed is not for publication, but any charges contemplating evangelistic missions can, upon request, receive suggestions as to possible missioners. From reports to hand the committee is exceedingly gratified that so large a use is being made of its own men for the vastly important task of th 6 Christian Church. Ministry of Healing For the past two years the committee has been considering the wide subject of the church’s relation to the ministry of healing. This was started because of a resolution which reached us from St. John’s Young Mens Bible Class, Wellington, asi follows: That investigations be instituted for the purpose of re-establishing the church s ministry of healing through faith and prayer in co-operation with the medical profession and with the aid of modern scientific knowledge.” Services on Shipboard The committee is of the opinion that It is essential that ministers of our church who may be travelling by sea should have every facility and all the necessary authority of the Assembly for preaching the Word and dispensing the Sacraments. It was therefore agreed to recommend that the commission granted by the Assembly to ministers travelling abroad should include the authority to preach the Gospel and dispense the Sacraments on board ship, that the clerk of Assembly, in granting commissions abroad, inform the shipping companies concerned of the fact of this authorisation, with a view to securing their co-operation, and that portable communion sets be procured and be available at the church offices. Discussion was deferred on this section of the report. Centenary Observances It is desirable that there should be a centenary assembly to which visitors from overseas can be invited. In connection with it, too, there could be arranged functions appropriate to such an important occasion as thecentenary of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. It is essential that such an assembly should be characterised. by a maximum of inspiration and a minimum of business. The committee, therefore, having taken note of the possibility of celebrations at Petone on February 23, 1940, and of the resolution of last assembly “that a suitable Sunday be set aside for special services in all our chui.Thea to commemorate the centenary of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, has decided to recommend to the assembly that the General Assembly, due to meet in November, 1939, be held m St. Andrew’s Church, Wellington, in February, 1940, commencing on Tuesday, February 20, that a commission of General Assembly meet m November, 1939, to deal with routine business. and that special services be held In all our churches on the first Sunday in March, 1940. ,■ V ;■ > Committee’s Recommendations

The committee submitted the following recommendations covering the recognition of the church’s centenary.' ■ That the General Assembly due to meet in November, ( 1939, be held m St. Andrew’s Church. Wellington, in February, 1940, that a commission of General Assembly met in November. 1939, to deal with routine business That special centenary services be held in all our churches on the first Sunday in March, 1940. That the assembly approve of what has been done by the Life and Work Committee to secure the presence of a delegate from the Church of Scotland at our church’s centennial celebrations That the moderator be asked to confer with the leaders of other churches that a request may be made to the Prime Minister to set aside a day m 1940 for national thanksgiving with religious services as distinct from the Sundays that will be observed by the various churches for their own celebrations. . That Presbyteries be enjoined to arrange such programmes of events within their bounds as they deem to be desirable for worthily celebrating the centenary of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. , That the action of the Life and Work Committee and of the Public Questions Committee in securing space in the Centennial Exhibition to be held in Wellington in 1939-40 be endorsed, that the money required for this purpose

be a charge upon the Presbyterian Centenary Thanksgiving Fund, and that the Public Questions Committee be asked to make all. arrangements connected with the utilisation of the church’s share of the facilities to be available for publicity’, services, etc. The assembly learns wtih gratification that the Life and Work Committee has arranged with Dr J. R. Elder to write an authoritative 1 history of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. ALLIANCE OF REFORMED CHURCHES The report of the Alliance of Reformed Churches submitted by the Rev. Ronald Watson was received, The. report stated, inter alia: At the fifteenth meeting of the General Council of the Alliance at Montreal in 1937 the central theme of the council was “The Church in the Modern World,” and the volume of proceedings reveals with what fullness of knowledge. clarity of insight, and fearless frankness the desperately crucial issues of our day. were discussed. Into its pages is condensed an illuminating survey of the faith, worship, and historcial witness of the Reformed Church as they relate to those political, social, educational, and international questions which are disturbing so deeply the whole world The meetings were palpably under the shadow of recent events in Central Europe, where, particularly in Germany, the historic witness of the Reformed Church in relation both to faith and freedom, is challenged, The spirit of the discussions was that the present struggle for church autonomy and freedom of conscience in Germany is not only a local and national question. , Something more general and universal is going on. It is a fight which must interest the whole Protestant family. It was clearly seen that without the maintenance of reformed principles of freedom and autonomy it would be impossible to continue in the line determined by the origins of Christianity according to the New Testament, and to build up a church on the basis of the Reformation. Thus bur church in Germany is fighting for the freedom of religion in the world at large, and all the churches, in every land would feel the shock of its defeat. The alliance through the years of its existence has been an immense blessing to the weaker reformed communions within its membership, From the great fellowship, they have received comfort, encouragement and much monetary assistance in their straitened financial circumstances. Some of them are in a precarious position owing to two factors, viz,, the aggressive attitude of the Roman Catholic Church and poverty.

Where Protestant churches are strong, and form a considerable section of the nation, the menace is not yet a real danger. But in countries where Roman Catholicism is the majority religion, as In Austria.’Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, some of the Baltic States, and even in France, the minority Reformed Churches suffer under the aggressive efforts and methods of Roman Catholicism. Actio Catholica is an elaborate system carried out persistently. Austria has become since 1934 a pronounced Catholic state where the Protestant minority has to undergo a fierce struggle for mere existence. In Poland, where the Roman Catholic confession is declared to be the official Church of the State. Protestant minorities are barely tolerated. The report from Hungary shows that also in this nation, even with a strong Protestant minority, tradition, and reformed culture, the Protestant minority has to do its utmost to maintain its position. In these and other countries Roman Catholicism and Protestantism stand against each other face to face, and have to prove .their spiritual power and value. The very existence of some of the smaller Reformed Churches has been menaced by sheer poverty. The situation in many cases has been relieved by the Central Bureau for Interchurch Aid formed at Copenhagen in 1922, and which is now a known factor in the life and work of tne evangelical churches throughout the world. Since the initiation of the enterprise £ 600,000 has been allocated. The latest statistics Indicate thai there are 117 Reformed Churches with a total membership of 10,714,366, with a baptism roll of 21,628,577, and ministered to by 41,123 ministers. FINANCIAL STATEMENT The treasurer (Mr V. G. Chapman) moved that the financial statement be received. The statement read as follows: ' It is pleasing to be able to report a considerable increase in the congregational giving to the mission activities of the church. Congregations have increased their giving compared with the previous year by £2655, and the total is the best since 1930-31. Thai this increase can.be reported is all the more pleasing, seeing that two special appeals were made during the year No less than £7943 was contributed by congregations towards the extinction of the accumulated debt in the Maori mission working account, and £IO4O for the relief of distress in China. On the one hand, we have the improved giving by congregations; on the other, we have a lessened income from sources other, than congregational (interest on trust and capital funds, anonymous gifts, etc.) and the total extinction by transfers to wipe out past deficits of the legacy reserves. As was pointed out last year, the exhaustion of these reserves means a heavier demand on the congregations. We have for years been living to some extent bn what' might be called capital reserves, and the exhaustion of those reserves means that more must be provided by congregations from income. On this account congregations were asked to find £4IOO more during the year under review than in the previous year. Last year their giving was £7540 short of what was asked; This year, although the giving was increased, the shortage increased also and mounted to £8985.

It is felt an urgent duty to draw attention to the position of the three main mission funds in relation to legacy reserves, of which there has been so much reliance. The deficits i i the working accounts of Home, Foreign and Maori missions on balance day totalled £'10.438, and there were legacy reserves amounting to only £1705. The action taken in previous years of clearing these debts by the use of legacy money cannot be repeated this year. The position will need careful watching, and all committees should watch closely all proposals likely to involve increased expenditure. Missionary Purposes Budget The working for the year shows a deficiency of £9535. The following shows in summarised form the position of all the funds under the budget for the year ended August 18 1938: Esbmated requirements . £43,999 Actual expenditure . £46,854 Amount received from all sources . . . .. £37,319 Accident Insurance The Globo personal sickness ana accident insurance arranged on behalf of ministers and home missionaries was again renewed. One hundred ministers and missionaries took advantage of the service. Only one claim for compensation was received and P 6 11s 6d was paid Assembly Assessments The list of defaulting congregations i is smaller this year but the amount ; outstanding is still substantial. At j August 18. 1938. the total amounts outstanding were: Assembly expences. £386: Beneficiary Fund £1475 Assembly Expenses Fund The expenditure for the veai has been £4464 or £B6 less than was estimated. The income amounted to £4246. £246 greater than was estimated. The year closed with a credit balance of £ 1037. The expenditure for the current year is estimated at £4210. To meet this, it is recommended that the assessments be the same as for the oast year as follows; 1. That the assessment on funds De as follows:—Foreign Missions. £350; Home Missions and Central Funds, £310: Maori Missions, £180; Youth of the Church, £4O; Theological Hall, £25; Beneficiary Fund, £330; Women Workers’ Beneficiary and Superannuation Fund, £SO; McGlashan Fund, £5;

Fire Insurance Fund, £400; Sickness and Accident Insurance, £ls; New Century Fund, £25; P.S.S.A.’s (5) £25; Training Institutes, £5. Total, £1760. 2. That income from debentures be assessed at 2J per cent., and income from other investments at 5 per cent: estimated to produce £SOO. 3. That the assessment on charges and Home Mission stations _be based on stipends on the following scale; Stipends of £SOO and over, 4 per cent; stipends of £4Ol to £499. 3 per cent; stipends of £3Ol to £4OO, 2i per cent, stipends of £251 to £3OO, 2 per cent; stipends below £251, 1J per cent Home Mission stations with stipends of £lsl and over, 1 per cent : all other stations a fixed amount of 10s. Estimated to produce £1750. Stipend means anv payment for pulpit services. The estimated income on these assessments will not balance the expenditure for the year, but the maintenance. of the assessments at the present rate over a period will keep the fund in a position to meet all charges. Treasurer’s Comments The treasurer’s idea of bliss—a balanced budget and all accounts m credit—had again been denied him this year, said Mr Chapman; but, notwithstanding a deficit in the mission accounts, there was a great deal in the church’s finances that was encouraging. There were aspects tha gave rise to some concern, but during the last three years their, finances had been showing a gradual improvement. The congregational gross revenue nao shown an increase in the last year of £20,000, making a total increase for three years of £39,000. Indebtedness had been reduced during the past year by Mr Chapman discussed the position of the mission funds, and stated that the average giving per church member over the whole of New Zealand had been 10s 2d, compared with 13s 5d asked for. The Mataura Presbytery, with an average of 14s Id per member, headed the list of presbyteries. The three main working accounts in the mission funds showed a deficit ox £ 10 438 Tlie Beneficiary Fund showed substantial additions to capital for the year. Trust funds held by the treasurer on behalf of congregations had shown a large increase, having grown from £31,865-in 1929 to £92.644. The total trust funds, which stood at £463 showed an increase of £13,000 and he was glad to be able to say that they had been able to weather the worst days of the slump without the loss of a penny piece of principal The insurance fund continued on its making way. having shown a profit ot £B2l for the past year. The report was received, and tne assembly assessments were adopted. FIRE INSURANCE FUND The report of the Fire Insurance Fund Committee stated that the total insurances held as at August 18. 1938 amounted to £1,140,493 anincrease for the year of £103,386 The risk was distributed over 504 churches, 307 manses, 356 schoolrooms and other buildings, the property of 389 congregations and other organisations. Levies paid by congregations amounted to £2539 19s 6d, and interest earned £465 18s 2d. Reinsurance cost £1425 16s Id, management expenses £424 as, and the net fire loss £334. The net profit on the year’s working was £B2l 12s 7d. Six fire losses occurred during the year. The total loss amounted to £2526 12s 2d, of which £2192 12s 2d was recovered from reinsurance. In accordance with the regulations, one-half of the net profit was added to capital, which now stands at 8g 9d. There has been earned to the distribution account the sum of £4iu 16s 3d, The balance of this account, after providing for the amounts authorised by last assembly for distribution and not yet paid stands at £423 11s 6d. . ~ . The committee recommends that £420 be distributed as follows:—Theological Hall Committee (scholarship). £6O; John McGlashan College (scholarship), £3O: St. Andrew's College (scholarship), £3O; Scots College (scholarship), £3O; Beneficiary Fund, £180; Women Workers’ Beneficiary Fund, £9O, Levies unpaid by congregations amount to £726 14s 6d. The report was adopted. CHURCH PROPERTY TRUSTEES Mr A. D. Thomson reported on behalf of the Church Property Trustees and the report was received. Among the matters dealt with in the report were the following:— Four congregations borrowed a total of £3360 on the security of property. Eight congregations reconstructed property debts totalling £6965, and documents varying the original contracts were executed. Properties belonging to 12 congregations were sold for £10.675. Twenty-one title deeds for congregational and other property have been received. Many documents affecting property, estates and mortgages in which the trustees are interested were handled during the year. Summarised, the following objects have received benefit from bequests:— Beneficiary Fund. £428 15s; Women’s Beneficiary and Superannuation Fund, £l7B 15s; Home Missions. £lßsl 11s 6d: Foreign Missions, £IOB6 2s 2d; Maori Missions, £BB 15s 8d; social service. £366 2s lOd: congregations, £2l IBs 7d: total. £4022 0s 9d. Reserve Finns

The fund now stands at £2379 14s Id. The only charge against the fund for the year was £l2 12s for legal expenses incurred in connection with the mortgage adjustment matter referred to in last year’s report. The trustees recommend that the levy on income from investments made remain at li per cent. Motor Cars and Car Allowances Last assembly referred to the trustees the matter of investigating and reporting on motor cars and car allowances, a matter raised at the assembly by the Committee on the Principles Governing the Payment of Stipends. That committee recommended that car allowances be computed on the basis of 3d per mile. In view of the varying conditions in oractically every charge, the trustees-icannot recommend a uniform method of computing car allowances. Local considerations affect the position so much that any fixed rate would work to the advantage of one and the disadvantage of another. The trustees consider a uniform rate on a mileage basis is not likely to give satisfaction to all parties. Allowances should be adequate for the individual parishes and that no minister should be forced to meet the cost of part of such transport out of his stipend. Every case would have to be dealt with separately. The trustees have considered also the wholesale buying of cars and equipment. In such consideration, it was pointed out, it would be extremely difficult to make any arrangement that would be suitable for all sections of the church. Data is being gathered by that committee on the running costs of a variety of cars over a period, and the experience gained may bo useful in a future examination of the matter. The trustees consider that they are not the most suitable body to carry out such an examination, and if such is contemplated at any time assembly should appoint a special committee The recommendation that the levy on income from investments for the Reserve Fund remain at U per cent was approved. A POOR RESPONSE “ 1 am ashamed of the church in this matter,” said Mr T. C. Brash, convener of the Gibb Memorial Committee. when the report of the committee was being considered. “ The assembly enthusiastically passed a motion for the establishment of a lectureship in pastoral theology as a memorial to the late Dr James Gibb, and now. after two years of effort, there is only £l3B 10s 8d in the fund.” . , , The committee recommended that, in view of the poor response, no further action be taken at this time, the amount received to be held and interest added year by year until such time as a favourable opportunity presented itself for implementing the objective of the appeal. The report was adopted. WEEKLY OFFERINGS The report of the Budget and Weekly Freewill Offering Committee stated that only nine presbyteries had sent in their returns. Complete returns were therefore not available, but it appeared from the figures to hand that

the system was operating better in the larger centres than in the country districts. It was decided to urge presbyteries to make special efforts to extend the operation of the system to all congregations. PETITION GRANTED In response to a petition from the Wellington Presbytery, the assembly empowered that body to appoint a minister to the charge of Seatoun for a period of two years in terms of an offer from the Scots College Board of Governors to contribute £IOO a year towards the stipend of the charge. It was stated that in the absence of outside assistance, the finances of the Seatoun Church were inadequate to enable the congregation to carry on. The Board of Governors of Scots College, which lay within the bounds of the charge, was prepared to pay £33 6s 8d per term, provided the minister appointed devoted a certain number of hours per week to religious instruction in the college. CHAPLAINS’ COMMITTEE The Chaplains’ Committee reported that it had had an uneventful year. There was a need for men qualified for chaplain’s work, and it had been suggested to the convener of the As* sembly’s Committee by members of presbyteries that young men should be approached with a view to augmenting the strength. A feature of the year had been the holding of week-end bivouac camps. The Advisory Committee had been asked, often at very short notice, to send chaplains to take church parades. A good number of such services had been held.

Chaplains on Advisory Boards appeared satisfied with their relations with the Defence Department, which had genuinely tried to help chaplains in the work they had been called to do. The Air Force was a separate unit, and proposals for the appointment of chaplains and for religious observance and ministrations were under review This new departure would mean the extension of chaplains’ work. The report, which was presented by the convener (the Rev. J. E. Lopdell). was adopted. MODERATOR’S REPORT The report for the year of the retiring moderator (the Rev. W. H. Howes) was adopted, and he and Mrs Howes were thanked for their devoted service to the church during the year. STATISTICS ~ The Rev. H. O. Bowman moved the adoption of the statistics report, which stated. inter alia:— The roll, which has reached its highest point so far, now shows 55,029 communicants (of whom 24,973 are, in the North Island and 30,056 in the South Island), an increase of 231, or 0.42 per cent., over last year._ For 1937 the increase in the Dominion’s population was roughly 0.9 per cent., whilfe the increase in church membership was 0.7 per cent. The 1938 population figures are not yet available, but church membership increase was 0.42 per cent. It is pleasing to be able to report increases in the number of churches in membership and in the number of people joining the church: The roll has reached its highest numbers in our history, even though attendances al worship show something of a decline The prayer meeting continues its downward trend. In the financial section we find that revenue is up and debt is down, while missionary and charitable givings have increased. Expenses also have increased. . .. . There is a decline of 1763 in attendance at public worship. An examination of the presbyteries reveals that this comes chiefly from the South Island, where 10 out of 11 presbyteries show decreases, some of them substantial, e.g., Timaru 10 R er .£ e **h; Mataura 5.6 per cent.. Dunedin 4.9 per cent., Christchurch 5.1 percent. A heavy decrease of 20.8 per cent. aopears in North Auckland but to balance this six of the North Island presbyteries show substantial increases, Taranaki being as high as 20.8 per cent. Youth of the Church Consideration of the position and* welfare of the youth of the church occupied the whole of last night s session of the assembly. In the early part of the evening a pageant was presented in Burns Hall, and when the session resumed in First Chureh an address was given by Mr J. McK. Mille headmaster of the Normal Schom, before consideration was given to the report of the Youth of the Church Committee. Committee's Report In Its report the committee stated that a continuous decline in the senior membership figures of Bible classes had caused concern to both the Bible class executives and the Youth Committee. In their discussions they recognised that this matter could not be isolated from the general life and work of the church, and that this decrease was one expression of weaknesses in thp Sunday school and other departments of church life, as well as r Bible class. There was need for greater effectiveness in teaching in Sunday school by a wider use of modern educational methods and equipment, and by teacher training efforts, with special attention paid to the pre-Bible class age group (11-13 years). Children should be helped to see that religion touched every part of life by wellplanned week-day activities, such as the Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Life Brigade. Church members should accept responsibility for providing Sunday school equipment and helping with week-day activities, as well as for teaching. The committee felt that ministers and sessions did not always accept the responsibility of finding suitable leaders for Bible classes, and that young people who were forced into leadership before they had the necessary experience and knowledge were not only unable to provide adequate leadership, but were apt to become spiritually bankrupt themselves, and in the reaction to leave the church altogether. There was a distinct place for adult fellowship, either men's and women’s separately or a combined group, to deepen the Christian fellowship within the congregation and to undertake service activities. Its organisation and programme should be varied to meet local needs, but should include devotions and Bible study, and its membership should consisf of those outside and beyond the existing Bible class group. The church jhould provide for men something that could claim the loyalty and service now given to lodges. Rotary, etc. The committee suggested that the Life and Work Committee explore the possibility of establishing in the larger centres interdenominational Christian men’s and women’s clubs. Diplomas for Service Diplomas for service in the Sunday school were awarded as follows: —Miss Edith Bigwood, Mataura (25 years); Mr R. W. Hill, St. Paul’s. Oamaru (29 years); Miss C. Keller, Paeroa (27 years); Miss Mary McDonald, Edendale (27 years); Mr Alexander MacKay. Wendon (25 years); Miss M Phipps, Paeroa (30 years); Mrs H Ritchie, Karangahape (30 years); Miss Margaret Taylor, Mimihau (25 years); Mrs C. S. Wansbone, Dargaville (25 years); Miss Margaret Weatherburn Mataura (25 years). Once again the committee had to report a general decline in its figures On the Sunday school side there was a big decrease in the number of schools (27) and teachers (43). The decrease in scholars (1163 —647 boys and 516 girls) was not quite so large as that reported last year. Junior Bible class figures showed an Increase, but this was more than balanced by the greater drop in the senior figures, There were now 1097 classes (664 junior, 433 senior) with a membership of 13.941 (1978 junior and 5963 senior). This was a decrease on 1937 of 29 classes and 253 members. There were 165 fewer men and GO fewer women. In its deliverance, the assembly tendered its warmest thanks to all who had assisted in the youth work during the year, and urged church mem hers, and especially sessions to Interest themselves deeply in youth work, to accept large resnonnbility fo*providing equipment, teachers and helpers with week-day activities, and in every way possible to encourage and further this import? nf work Opportunities Available Commending the work for the youth of the church, the Rev. James Robertson (Christchurch) said that children

were the golden opportunity of the church, and what it did with them and made of them would determine what its future would be Children in the Sunday schools and Bible classes were in their most Impressionable years, and in the teaching of them there was a wonderful chance to enrich and strengthen the church for the future. He thought the Presbyterian Church did as much for its youth as any other, but it was questionable whether it was doing enough. The fact that 63 per cent, of the Presbyterian children in New Zealand had no connection with the Sunday schools or Bible classes would possibly suggest that there was apathy where there should be enthusiasm. The assembly adjourned at 10 p.m. until this morning.