THE PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1838, 11 February 1887, Page 9

THE PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, February 6.The annual meeting of the Presbyterian General Amenably com nu need to-ni^ht. * There were 'prehrut between 40 and 50 ministers *nd eMerß from different pait-> of the colony: The Rev. T. R. Cairns," "the retiiiug moderator, -preached the opening sermon, after which the Rev. G. B. Muuro, of Rtrnuern, was eltctt-d moderator. A di pntation i rom the Oragnand Southland Synod, consisting of < the '- Revs. ! McC Smith and Ferguson were present , and .were welcomed by the assembly. Thp .- rev. moderator in the course of au eloquent address said that he felt, with all our reasons for oon* gratulat ions and thanksgivings, there was urgent need for increased consideration and energy on the part of ministers and people. The present age had been characterised as a restless, law* lees, and presumptive one. Whether this was. correct or not it was marked by & wonderful advancement ia science, art, literature, and I philosophy, and this compelled the church to ! give greater attention to the culture and I scholarship of the ministry. He did not sympathise with the great attention sometimes given to the professed increase in infidelity, 'and thought the less notice given to it the better. 1 He defended Presbyterianism. and said that instead of being rigid, narrow, and limited, it was one of the most ela.-tic avid scriptural church organisations which existed. The progress of the church in point of numbers was not so rapid as it might have been. The reason was to be found in whatsom'e might consider trifles. The church was still too conservative, and the regular - Sabbath services should be made more attractive. More atteution should be giveu to the gifts of the laity. Some of the elders were eminently qualified to teach, yet they were nof- eucourag&d, and their talents were lost to the church. More attention should also be given to evaugelintio work. The amount of uon-churcb-going on .the part of Pre6bjterianß was appalling, aud it,appeared as if they bad more outside than inside the church. To teaih these olasses by the ordinary church machinery whs impossible, and he was of opinion they should' undertake the work by home missions and evangelistic work on a larger scale than had yet been tried.