PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Otago Witness, Issue 3169, 9 December 1914, Page 76

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. SECOND DAY—NOVEMBER 19. The Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Now Zealand met for the transaction of business on tiro 18th inst. in the Burns Hall. There was a large attendance of members, and the Moderator (the Rev. Alexander Grant, of Dannevirke) presided. TEMPERANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The Rev. A. Miller (Auckland) presented the report ol the temperance Committee. The report, at its outset, dealt with the result of the deputation to the Prime Minister. The report then continued: — “ The drink bdl for New Zealand ior the year 1913 totalled £4,137,653. Ihis works out at £3 14s per head ol the population. The amount expended shows an increase of £56,491 as compared with 1912. But allowing for the increase of population the expenditure per head of the population shows a decrease of ll£d. The United Kingdom drink b.ll for 1913 amounted to the enormous total of £166,691,000, or £3 12s 5d per head of the population. Apparently, therefore, our people spend on strong drink Is 7d per head of the population more than the people of the ■ British Isles. But the cheaper price of liquor in the United Kingdom must for purposes of comparison be kept in mind, it is to be remembered also that these estimates arc based on the wholesale cost of the liquor consumed. If based on the retail cost, which is the actual cost to the consumer, the amount would be very much larger, and would, for the dominion, probably exceed six millions sterling. During the past . three years over 11,000 persons have been convicted for drunkenness each year in New Zealand, of whom about 7000 rank as first offenders. Early in September the usual schedule of quest.ons was issued to the ministers and home misionaries of our Church. To this 117 replies have been received, of which 26 are from no-license areas. From these replies it would appear that Temperance Sunday was very generally reserved, and that most of our ministers preached on this subject on the fourth Sunday of November, or on some other convenient day. la Sunday school and Band of Hope abundant opportunity is given to our young people to sign the pledge, and probably a majority of them have done so. The report went on to point out that in nolicense districts there had been loss drinking. A parliamentary return for 1912 showed that the liquor consumed per head of population was in no-licensed areas 18s 53<-l, in licensed areas £4 5s and in the dominion £3 14s The report continued : “In 1911 the vote recorded for national prohibition was 55.82 per cent, of the valid votes cast. Since then there would sera to have been a very definite advance in temperance sentiment. Even the war spirit has helped in this direction. The call of the Empire has been heard and responded to all over the world, and the message of Lord Kitchener is ‘ abstain from liquor.’ Yet some of the young men going forth from New Zealand have in our cities, by the misdirected hospitality of unwise friends and the lack of self-control, disgraced their uniform by appearing in public places in a state of intoxication. This has led in many quarters to a feeling of revulsion against the liquor traffic. The course of the wur lias demonstrated that alcohol is the foe of efficiency both in the army and in the navy. Wc have all read with horror of the outrages committed by drunken German soldiery, while wc have read with pride of the fine conduct and sobriety of the British forces. Your committee suggests that the Assembly, as in former years, should call upon our people to vote out the liquor traffic upon both issues. It is well that the value of local no-lieense should not be lost sight of in the larger issue, and that we should remember also that no-license comes into operation within six months of being carried, while dominion prohibition, even after a 60 per cent, majority for it has been obtained, does not come into operation for four years.” Mr Miller, in moving the deliverance, said they desired that ministers should use all efforts to promote pledge-signing among the young and old. During the discussion which followed, Mr J. R. Kirk (Gisborne) said he was not goin" to object to the temperance question as it* had been put before them, but there were two aspects of the report to which ho desired to call attention, and he proposed to move an amendment. He was speaking soecially on behalf of the laity, and he thought it was at all times a good thing for ministers to know what the laity sought. He wanted to put what he had to say in this way: that the business man of to-day was not as church-going as in the past, or as he should be, and one of the reasons was that he was getting absolutely tired of hearing from the pulpit so much about no-license. —(“ No, no.”) Well, they might know more about business men than he did, but he asked them not to treat what he had to say lightly. He was not saying it as one wanting to create disorder. He was saying it because he was inspired by a deep conviction. He wished to draw their attention to the recommendation to promote pledge-signing among young and old. _ They were to have two sermons on no-license, and he did not want them to think that he was out of sympathy with no-lieense when he said that he believed that Divine truths on reiigiou should not give way to questions such as no-lioenso. The business man know all about the prohibition question —ho hoard about it six days in the week, and it came to him again on the seventh dav of the week, when ho wanted something else. If a man had got the Lord Jesus Christ in his heart he would vote in the desired direction without being told. If a man was inspired with principle did they think he was going to neglect human suffering? The business man of to-day did not come to the minister to toll him what was already in his heart. He (Mr Kirk) believed that church people knew quite enough about this subject. Ho moved as an amendment that the words “in the fourth Sunday of September ” and the whole of clause 3 be deleted frem the deliverance. “I do not.” said Mr Kirk, “ask anyone to second it. I don’t care if no one does. I have done my part.” The Rev. R. Fairmaid said he wished to know where the speaker himself stood on the question of prohibition. The Moderator: Are you going to second it?

Mr Fairmaid: Oh no. I don’t second that.

The Rev. Mr Bertram (Auckland) said ho was quite prepared to second the amendment. He felt that Mr Kirk had brought forward matters that were well to be borne in mind. There were some churches that were taken up with various writings and popular subjects, but he hardly thought this hold good with regard to most of their churches. He seconded the amendment so that it might have a fair chance before the House. He always felt that his first duty was to proclaim the Gospel. The Rev. Mr Miller agreed to th<> withdrawal of that portion of the report, the deleted portion beginning with the vords “ Yet some of the young men/' and ending with “ revulsions against the liquor traffic.” After further discussion t) o Rev. Mr Miller signified that he was also prepared to withdraw the added clause to the deliverance. On Mr Kirk’s amendment be ; ng put only nine voted in its favour, wh : h- a hist of hands were held up in favour of the deliverance in its entirety. The dokveiance was therefore carried. THE TRAINING INSTITUTE. The first business taken at the evening session was the report on the Training Institute, which was presented by Professor Hovvitson. The report, after dealing with the subjects in which the students had been instructed, paid a tribute to Mrs Blaekio (the lady superintendent), and Mr W. H Adams (the hon. treasurer). Air W. H. Adams, in seconding the motion, said that one of the first donors to the institute was one of their honoured fathers who hud boon laid to his last resting place. Ho referred to the Rev. David Borrio.— (Applause.) Mr Adams said he was not at all pessimistic regarding the future. They had now a property in Cumberland street worth £2OOO, and this cost £1825, and £IOO had been spent on it in repairs. In addition, £3OO had been spent on furnishings, so that at the present moment the Assembly owned a property valued at £2500, and on it there was a mortgage of £SOO. Then they had a credit in the Savings Bank of £IOO. Mr Adame endorsed all that Professor Hewitson had said about Mrs Blackie and others who had done so much for the institute. The report was adopted. At this stage the Moderator presented Misses Thomson and Harrington with their certificates, and, in doing so, congratulated them upon the profession they bad adopted and wished them God-speed in their undertakings. FOREIGN MISSIONS. The report on foreign missions was presented by Professor Hewitson. It dealt exhaustively with the Ainbrym disaster in the New Hebrides, and contained a recommendation by the Synod that the New Zealand Church should rebuild the hospital. With respect tc the Chinese mission, the report stated that political unrest and semiofficial opposition had made work in the Can-ton-villages specially difficult, yet it had been carried on with considerable success. While the farthest northern station had been transferred to a sister society, the work was extending southward into a populous part of the Nam Hoi district. A chapel had boon opened there; another in the south toward Canton city, at the important market of Shck Tseng, famous during the Anglo-French war against China in 18567; a third further east. A very suitable hospital site, about six acres in area, had been bought at the rear of Kong Ts’uen, not far from Ko T’ong, the legal transferor which is now being made. The committee had authorised the building there of two houses—one for a doctor and one for two nurses —as soon as the title was secure. Plans of the hospital, prepared as the anonymous gift of a New Zealand architect, had been subjected to criticism by all the medical staff and the Canton Council, and were now under final consideration by the committee, aided by export advice, after which authority would be give to proceed with the erection of the building. With regard to the Indian work, the report stated thar the opening of the completed part of Jagaclhri Hospital had been a great gain to the mission. The committee had sent £250 for its equipment. The Punjab Council had given, as the minimum additional staff required, “ one medical man, two ordained men, and one woman worker.” The buildings urgently required were a bungalow for Mr Ryburn and another for the. single ladies —to cost, in all £I7OO. Other needs were a house in the hills, houses for the Jagaclhri assistants, and the completion of the hospital. Rapid expansion of the work led the council to ask for £I3OO for next year’s local expenses; but the committee could grant only £800; In connection with the development of the work, the council took over the mission station at Sabathu. which formed a suitable base for hill work, on the understanding that no extra expense would be involved. At this station was a leper asylum, which was fully supported by the Government, the Wellesley Bailev Mission to Lepers, and European residents. Mr Riddle had removed thither from Nahan _ . Professor Hewitson, in moving the adoption of the report, emphasised the fact that, as leaders were required in connection with military matters, so, also, were they necessary in connection with the Church. He laid stress on the point that, _ unless the heme missions grew, the foreign mission work could not possibly be maintained. Dr John Kirk had said that, if it had not been for the Women’s Missionary Union, the work in Canton Village would have been destroyed. Referring to the Rev. T. E Riddle at Punjab, Professor Hewitson announced that he (the Rev. Riddle) had volunteered to go as a chaplain with the Indian troops to the front.—(Loud applause.) Concerning the Ambrim disaster. Professor Hewitson said that Dr Bowie had been the guiding hand that led to the saving of numbers of patients in the hospital, and his health had suffered very much in consequence. The Hon. J. G. W. Aitkcn seconded the motion. The motion was carried by acclamation. Dr Bowie addressed the Assembly on the work among the natives in the New Hebrides, and referred to the Ambrim disaster on the lines on which he has dealt with this question previously. Ho also eulogised the natives for their independence in raising funds for various church works in their island homes. The Rev. George M‘Nour delivered an interesting address on mission work in Canton Village, specially emphasising the value of the educational side of mission work. He said that the evangelisation of China would bo done by the Chinese, and not by foreigners, and it was the Christian Chinos© who “would be looked to in the future to expand the great work commenced by the foreign missions. The following recommendations were adopted: —That the Assembly give thinks to God for the life and work of our mission-

aries on the field and on fux’louga duinig the past year. In pax-ticular, the Assembly is thankful for the preservation of Dr and Mrs Bowie, Nurse Wright, Mr Rooertson, Mr and Mrs Bailey, Mrs Weir, all the patients, arid many of the natives of Ambrim during the volcanic eruption in Decomber last. The Assembly is profoundly impressed - bv the Christian heroism shown by the mission staff and by the natrves when in peril of death, and is deeply sympathetic with Dr and Mrs Bowie in the calamity that has overtaken them in the interruption of then - work and the loss ol all then- possessions. The Assembly thanks all who at the time of the eruption and subsequently gave sympathetic help to our missionaries and to our mission. It also records gratitude for the valuable help given by the P.W.M.U., the Y.W.8.C.U., the Y.M.8.C.U., the editress of the Harvest Field and the editors of the Outlook and iV Break of Day. The Assembly neartily congratulates the Rev. P. Milne, of Nguna, on the attainment of his eightieth birthday and the forty-fifth year of his service, and anew expresses its admiration of his Jong and faithful missionary work. To the missionaries and missionary volunteer referred to in the report as suffering from illness during the year the Assembly extends its sincere sympathy, and prays that they may be sustained by faith in God’s wise and gracious providence. The Assembly also gives thanks to God for the witness of the faithful life of Mr James Shum, hospital assistant in Ko T‘ong, and for the tostl- - of his peaceful death, and respectfully tenders its sympathy to his widow. That the Assembly accept with thanks Dxy Bowie 6 offer to take up medical work in New Zealand for a year, and await developments in the New Hebrides situation; inquiries to be made concerning a suitable sphere for Dr Bowie in China. The Assembly approves of the amendment of the Canton Village Mission Constitution (Sec. X, reg. 10) so as to read: “Necessary expense for language tuition, as authorised by the Mission Council, shall be provided during the first five years on tiic field. The Mission Council shall also arrange so that a teacher or writer is available on each station to assist the missionaries in their work.” That the name of the Rev. Thomas E. Biddle be transferred from the roll of the Presbytery of Christchurch to that of the Presbytery of Wairarapa. That the Moderator of Assembly be requested to write a pastoral letter of greeting to the native Christians on the various mission fields. THIRD DA'Y—NOVEMBER 20. The General Assembly of the Presbyter,an Church of New Zealand resumed its sitting in the Burns Hall on the 20th, the Rev. “ A. Grant ((Moderator) presiding. CONDOLENCES. On the motion of Rev. F. R. Jeffreys, the Assembly passed a vote of sympathy with the family of Dr Webb, who died on hoax’d a • transport. The Rev. A. M. Finlayson moved similarly in respect to the death of Dr Watt’s son, and this, also waa carried in proper form. FOREIGN MISSIONS. This subject was resumed for the consideration of certain debatable matters reserved from the previous night’s meeting. Pi'ofessor Hewitsoa, convenor of the Foreign Missions Committee, introduced the subjects in turn. He moved first—“that the question of rebuilding the hospital in the New Hebrides bo held in abeyance during the_ war., but that the committee be instructed, if the way be open before next Assembly, to p'aco the whole matter before the Presbyteries of the Church, and act in accordance with the consensus of opinion thus obtained.” —Carried. The next motion was—“ That the Assembly undertake, by God’s blessing, to maintain during the coming year the present mission work of the Church, and, further, to send Mr A. L. Miller, M.A., to China at the end of next year, if he is then ready to go.”—Carried. Trie next motion was —“That members of Assembly be instructed to draw the attention of their sessions, financial courts, and congregations to the list of student volunteers, and that the committee be enjoined to lay their plans with a view to the acceptance of these volunteers by the Assembly, when their course of preparation is complete; further, that trio Presbyteries be instructed to consider the whole question and ••eport to the committee in July.”— Carried. The next motion was—“ That, as the deputation to the East agreed upon by last Assembly did not set out owing to the war, the committee have discretionary power in the matter during the ensuing year.” —Carried. CHURCH LIFE AND WORK. The report of this committee opened with a reference to the war. “’ibis fiery trial has not only welded the Empire into an indissoluble union, but it is going to purify, cleanse, and humble us.” Replies to circulars showed that an earnest endeavour is being made to win the children to the House of God. Many congregations had branches of tho Young Worshippers’ League. “Some of us, however, are sufficiently old-fashioned to wonder whether the somewhat mechanical moans of securing church attendance by cards and prizes tends to foster a permanuent love in the hearts of our young people for the House of God.” As to men’s work, whilst a large number of the men of the Church were deeply interested in her activities, it must be admitted that as large a number, as far as active service was concerned, did not count. It had been suggested to institute a Presbyterian brotherhood, which would have a maximum of work and goodfellowship with a minimum of meetings and machinery. It was recommended to make strenuous efforts to carry tlxe Gospel to week-end resorts. In other clauses of the report the committee regretted the passing of the Gaming Amendment Act, recommended the publishing of a Church Manual, and more literature of the right kind, approved the card system for the congregational roll, suggested that steps bo tahen to secure a visit to the church of a leading minister from the Homeland, and commended the evangelistic work of Mr James Oununing and Mr Frazer Barton. The Rev. J. A. Asher (Hawke’s Bay) moved the adoption of the x’eport. It was seconded by the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, who, speaking about the attendance of children at church, said it seemed to him that they were largely dependng upon bribes to get the children to church, not doing enough to impress upon parents the necessity for taking their young ones to the services. Other speakers were the Rev. A. Miller (Auckland), the Rev. P. C. Rennie (Oamaru), and the Rev. A. S. Morrison (Waimate). The Rev. B. Hutson (Wellington) moved to eliminate the sentence about “mechanical

means/’ which amounted to censure in regard to a common practice. The Rev. J. A. Asher agreed to the elimination, and the report, as thus amended, was adopted. The Rev. Mr Rennie, in the course of his remarks, conveyed an offer from tho Oamaru Px’esbytcry to provide £IOO for the employment of Mr James Gumming beyond the bounds of Oamaru. The Rev. W. J. Cotm-ie moved, and it was agreed, that this offer be remitted to the Committee on Church Life and Work, with power to accept it. HOME MISSIONARIES. The report of tho Committee on Homo Missionaries’ training was read and approved. The home missions report stated that tho so-called capital fund had been taxed to the extent of £839, or about oneseventh of the total revenue. Tho home mission operations have never been carried on without the help of “capital,” representing legacies and special donations. The contributions of the congregations last year amounted to £24,456 —an increase of £1260 over tho previous year, while the ordinary revenue has been nearly equal to the expenditure. There are at feast 110 regular agencies, all of which are occupied, or will be occupied, by the time tho Assembly meets. It will be necessary to approach the Colonial Committee of the U.F. Church for a fresh supply of men, and the committee ask the church for the rnoncy required for tho work. In moving the adoption of tho report, Dr Gibb made a strong appeal to the ministers to bestir themselves in the interests of the home mission work, and appealed also to tho well-to-do members of the Church to give a generous response to the request for funds. Owing to the -fact that the war was acting as a spiritual and moral stimulus to the people, now was the time for strong effox’t in missionary enterprise. Tho Rev.' J. Kilpatrick seconded the motion. The Rev. E. O. Perry, itinerant minister in the North Island, gave a vivid account of that country, with its opportunity and responsibility. There were a number of other speakers, and the report was finally adopted. BENEFICIARY FUNDS. The special committee on beneficiary funds, in its report, recommended that the question should be referred to a committee consisting of the members of the original committee, with a number of specified additions. The Rev. W. J. Comrie moved, and the Rev. J. Gumming seconded, a motion that the recommendation should be adopted.— Tho motion was carried. FOURTH DAY—NOVEMBER 21. NOMINATION OF MODERATOR. Mr Scorgie was elected Moderator for the next year. In returning thanks, Mr Scorgie said that had the Rev. R. J. Porter allowed his name to go forward he would have withdrawn in his favour, and he also would have supported him. COLUMBA GIRLS* COLLEGE. On Saturday afternoon the Assembly paid an official visit to the Columba Girls’ College at Bishopscourt, where there were assembled in the grounds surrounding the institute, about 2000 people. Afternoon tea was dispensed by Misses Miller, who have charge of tho college, and was greatly appreciated. An orchestra played a well selected programme of musical items during the afternoon, and the visitors were most enthusiastic over what they saw, particularly the fine grounds. The Assembly will resume this morning at 10 o’clock the fii'st business to be considered being “Sabbath Observance.” FIFTH DAY-NOVEMBER 23. SABBATH OBSERVANCE. The report of the committee on Sabbath observance stated that on tho one hand there were many indications, some obtrusive, others more subtle, of a growing laxity throughout tho whole dominion with regard to the observance of the Sabbath. From all pans came reports of the steady encroachment of both labour and pleasure on the day that by Divine sanction and long established custom should be a day of rest and worship. There was a growing tendency to plead necessity as an excuse for Sunday labour in many industries. It would be difficult to arrive at even an approximate estimate of the number employed on Sundays, but investigations showed that this number was far greater than it was generally thought to bo. Police, railway, tram, and steamer officials, workers in the dairy, sawmilling, rabbiting, and other industries, hotel employees, those who were employed in catering for the amusements of tho people, and many who were engaged in laho r that was absolutely i.eccssary, const tutod a considerable proper-, tion oi tim uOiK.ug poiL.oii ox tuo ..ommumty. Amusements, both indoor and in the form of picture entertainments and concerts, and outdoors in the indulgence in picnicking, “week ending,” fishing, and different kinds of sport, were in many pans transforming the day into an ordinary holiday. On the other hand there were evidences of an aroused consciousness of the seriousness of this question. Increased interest was being taken in the question by the various churches and the newspapers, and public bodies had given an indication of a conviction that the time had arrived when the tendency to commercialise the day would have to be checked. The report was adopted after some discussion, also a protest against the Dunedin Tramway Union fining a member for absenting himself from a meeting of tho union on Sunday. THEOLOGICAL HALL. The report of the committee on the course of study for home missionaries in tho Theological Halj was presented by the Rev. G. H. Balfour. ’The committee, after consulting with presbyteries, put forward an amended course. THEOLOGICAL COMMITTEE. The Rev. G. H. Balfour moved the adoption of the report of tho Theological Committee. It stated that the hall was opened on April 1, and that a satisfactory session had been held. The number attending the hall was 33 The debate on the report was adjourned. SABBATH SCHOOLS. The report of the Sabbath Schools Examination Committee was adopted after some debate. A VISITING CLERGYMAN. At this stage the Rev. J. R. Fleming, of tho Newcastle (England) __ Presbyterian Church, a visitor to tho dominion, addressed the Assembly, chiefly confining himself to a comparison between the Presbyterian Church in the dominion and the English Presbyterian Church. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Flem-

ins: on the motion of the Rev. A. Cameron, seconded by the Rev. A. Miller. THE YOUTH OP THE CHURCH. The report of the Youth of the Church Committee stated that wide field had been covered and much work done, progress having boon made in many directions, while in others there had been a falling away. The outstanding feature of Sunday School work had been the breaking of new ground in the far North by Mr R. Blair, the Sunday School agent. This work, largely developmental, while not shoving big returns at present, should bear abundant fruit in years to come. The Rev. J. Mackenzie, owing to his transfer to Foorak, Melbourne, had perforce to tender his resignation. For the past 10 years Mr Mackenzie had guided the policy of the Sunday Schools, and during that time had not only soon but had been the principal factor in, a wonderful development. A glance at this development was an eloquent testimony to the efficiency of Mr Mackenzie’s convonership. The number of schools in 1905 tvas 461; in 1914, 698. Scholars in 1905, 25,565; in 1914, 37,100. Teachers in 1905, 2701; in 1914, 3701. Contributions for missions in 1905 were £1295; in 1914, £1425. —The report was adopted. An address was given by Mr R. Blair, after which a number of recommendations wore adopted, including that of the appointment of two students to continue the work at present being done by Mr Barton, the salary of each agent to bo £175 per annum, with travelling allowance up to £SO. The Assembly then adjourned until 10 i.m. to-day. SIXTH DAY. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church resumed on Tuesday, 24th November. THEOLOGICAL HALL. The debate on the report of the Theological Committee was resumed. ihe deliverance was as follows; —“Adopt the report; congratulate Dr Watt, the professor of Hebrew, on attaining the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination; thank the donors to the Scholarship Fund and donors of prizes; sanction the scholarship proposals for 1915, and empower the committee to grant such additional scholarships as the state of the funds and the regulations connected therewith may warrant; approve the action of the committee in admitting Mr G. P. Campbell to the special arts course for non-matrioulated students, and in admitting Mr A. O. Hampton into the hail on ihe conditions indicated in the report; approve the appointment of Revs. J. W. Shaw, M.A., and C. A. Gray, M.A., as relieving examiners in church history and New Testament Greek respectively; thank the examiners in connection with the entrance, exit, and other examinations for their services; and agree to the following recommendations:—(l) That Messrs W. G. Hannah and H. Bloomfield bo admitted to the new course prescribed for home missionaries in the hall; (2) that Mr W. J. Robertson be granted a special course consisting of one year in the University and three years in the Theological Hall; (3) that Mr A. H. Norrie’s application be not granted. (4) That the following be added to the students’ regulations: —Every student shall remain under the jurisdiction of tire Presbytery which granted him his certificate as a student for the ministry unless ho is transferred by his presbytery to_ another presbytery; {s} that the committee be authorised to make such arrangements as its funds may warrant for tutorial assistance during the current year; (6) that ministers be asked to urge the claims of the ministry a calling upon the young men of our congregations; (7) anew commend the Scholarship Fund to the liberality of congregations and individuals, and the work generally to the prayerful sympathy of the Church.” The first part of the deliverance was agreed to, and the Assembly dealt with and agreed to the detailed clauses in the second part, 1 to 5, in private. Clauses 5,6, and 7 were taken in open Assembly and agreed to. REPORT OF KNOX COLLEGE. The report stated, inter alia, that during the past year the accommodation in the college has been increased by the addition of nine beautiful study bedrooms. The cost and furnishing, amounting to £1273, was borne entirely by Mr J. Ross, whose total contributions to the college now amount to £18,273 —a truly noble gift, for which the council was profoundly thankful. The session opened with 93 students in residence; 12 of the students joined the Expeditionary Forces, the session closing with 83 men in the college. One hundred pounds had been set aside to the credit of a depreciation fund. During the year £SOO was received, for the building fund from the estate ol the late G. F. Ballon, of Kaikoura, which reduced the debt on the south wing to £1352 1.2 s sd. A strong plea was made for the strengthening of the endowment fund, which was necessary to develop the tutorial work in the college. The fund stood at £3OIO 13s Bd, whereas the council thought the credit should be £15,000. Many congregations had failed to realise their responsibilities in regard to the college collection. The council desired again to express its appreciation of the valuable and faithful services rendered to the whole Church and college by the master, Professor Hewitson. The following members of council retired by effluxion of time:—Messrs Malcolm, Gow, and Cameron. They were recommended for reappointment. The Rev. A. Cameron _ moved—‘‘That Mr Ross be thanked for his abounding liberality to the college in adding to his previous gifts the erecting and furnishing of attic rooms in the north; appoint Messrs Cameron and Gow and Dr Malcolm to the council, and commend the college to the prayers and liberality of the people.” Ho said that the building programme was now completed for some time. It was very gratifying to know that the cost of the additions recently completed was borne entirely by Mr Roes. With regard to the endowment fund, the committee aimed at getting £15,000 to its credit. Ho regretted that the annual collection on behalf of Knox College was so small. In 1909 the amount received bv way of collection was £240, in 1010 £363, in 1911 £292, in 1912. £329, in 1913 £272. Ho thought this _ poor response was due to a misapprehension. ’ People who would otherwise contribute thought the money was to be devoted to the housekeeping expenses. The money was really required, and was devoted to the payment of salaries of teachers of the Theological College. _He purposed moving an addition to the deliverance that the collection, as a collection for Knox College, be abolished, and that in future a collection be taken up towards the payment of the salaries of teachers in the Theological College. The motion for the adoption of the report and the addition of the words suggested by the mover was carried.

ST. MARGARET’S RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE. The report of St. Margaret’s Residential College stated that, apart from the cost oi buildings, the college was self-sustaining, and therefore all legacies and donations went direct to the building fund. Already applications for admission in 1915 had been registered from more than half of the number that could be accommodated, and the majority of those came from Canterbury and the North Island. The council, therefore, felt fully justified in laying the report before the Assembly and appealing to the Church in the cause of the women students. The report was adopted. COLUMBA GIRLS’ COLLEGE. The report of the Columba Girls’ College was presented jointly by the Revs. A, Whyte and W. Gray Dixon. The following statement was made: —A sum of over £2300 had been subscribed. Over £I6OO had been paid. They had a first mortgage of £4600 at 5 per cent., and for the rest they had (the total sum being £9000) received from a number of members of the Church money without security except the honour of the Church. It was in this way that they had been able to finance the property. The Rev. Mr Burridge paid a tribute to the work of the Rev. Mr Whyte in con noction with the college, and Mr Whyte then introduced the Principal of the college (Miss Ross), who delivered an address covering the work of the college. Mr H H. Campbell (Hawke’s Bay) said that the committee should be congratulated on having secured a building so suitable as that at B'shopscourt was. The fittings were beautiful, the buildings and grounds excellent, and the whole property splendidly adapted for the purpose it was intended for. He honed that before long there would be such a college in every centre in the dominion. The report was adopted. The Assembly conveyed to Miss Ross, by acclamation, its deep thanks for the eloquent and practical address she had given. They had, the Moderator said, reason to be thankful for the way she had come forward to take charge of the undertaking. lONA COLLEGE. The Rev A. Grant submitted the report of lona College, which was formally opened by the Prime Minister on February 24. The executive had a satisfactory measure of financial success, and had good hopes of increasing usefulness for the future. The debt is heavy, but it is believed that each year will do something to lighten the burden. _ Good progress has boon made in planting and laying out the grounds, and in a few years lona should become one of the beauty spots of Hawke’s Bay. , He moved the constitution of the college. This was seconded by the Rev. James Paterson (Christchurch) and carried. AUCKLAND LADIES’ COLLEGE. The report of this institution was submitted by the Rev. I. Jolly! It stated that this college had been raised by the formation of a company with a capital of £12,000. The support given to the Church bad proved conclusively that the scholastic side of the Church was a felt want, for, in three days and a-half, 9500 shares were underwritten. The committee was endeavouring to secure the services of a lady principal, and was hopeful that the selected lady would take up her duties by February I.—Adopted. FIRE INSURANCE, The Fire Insurance Committee reported that the insurances in force on August 18, amounting to £212,857, had been distributed over 215 chinches. The report was adopted. MAORI MISSIONS. The Maori Mission Committee reported that the work in this field of the Chinch’s operations had been extended during the year. (Sister Jessie, who had been ordained at the last Assembly, had been working at Nuhaka, a village on the east coast of the North Island, between Gisborne and Wairoa. The committee found that a presbytery did not make a good committee. They recommended a change this year, so that the work might receive full attention. —Adopted. NEW CENTURY FUND. The New Century Fund Committee reported that loans had been granted as follow: —Kelburne, £100; Matamata, £225; Otorohanga, £150; Seatoun, £150; Te Kuiti, £9O 15s 3dmaking a total of £715 15s 3d. A large amount had been promised to various congregations to be paid when funds wore available. The present unsettled state of affairs made it more than usually difficult to deal with those matters. PRESBYTERIAN SOCIAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION. The report of the Presbyterian Social Service Association stated that, ‘during the year, the young people in the care of the association numbered 421, of whom 214 were living in the homes of the association in Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington, while the Leslie Orphanage in Auckland cared for 29 children. The Rev. A. Cameron moved the adoption of the report,- and included a vote of thanks to all those who had assisted in the work of the association. The Rev. F. Jeffreys (Auckland) seconded the motion, which was carried. SEVENTH DAY. The General Assembly resumed at 10 a.m. on November 25. The Publication Committee’s report set out the business arrangements made for the publication of the Outlook, and also the form of baptismal certificate to be used. An amended disjunction certificate to meet the oft-expressed wishes of members of the Assembly had also been issued. The committee’s deliverance recommended the adoption of the report and the expression of appreciation of the services of the editor and publisher of the Outlook, and thanks to those gentlemen who had so efficiently served the paper in the absence of the editor, especially the contributors to its pages, and particularly the conductors of the “0.K.P.” (Revs. A. Don, A. B. Todd, E. G. Evans, and Mr J. Parlane). They also commended the Outlook to the interest oi the Church, and that the disjunction and baptismal certificates bo also approved. The Rev. J. Aitken (Mosgicl) moved the adoption of this report. The Rev. J. Camming seconded the motion, which was carried. The Property Committee’s report stated that during the 12 months ended September 30. there had been, as in former years, a large number ol financial and other dealings disposed of particulars of which were all on record. Forty-nine transfers of properties were executed, and 27 letters were received for safe keeping. The sum of £21,330 had been invested in 20 securities, and £7250 had been received in repayment of seven investments. Fifteen congregations borrowed on mortgage £10,130, and five congregations received £2776 for the sale of old manses and sites. The trustees had pleasure in reporting the receipt of the following donations:—From tho late

Mr Walter Macfarlane, of Kaiwara, £SOO to the Wauiu Church, North Canterbury: fron another donor, £123 6s Bd, to Levin Church ( from “Sympathiser” £SOO, being- £IOO each for the New Hebrides, Canton Villages, Indian, Maori, and Home Missions; the executors of Mr G. F. Bullen, of Ka.ikoura, had handed over a £SOO legacy for the Knox College Building Fund; the executors of the late Wm* Fraser, of Fairlie, had forwarded £4097 6s 8d for orphan children; and the executors of the late J. W. Merrick, of Cambridge, had given £l5O for foreign missions, and £l5O for Maori missions in the Auckland provincial district. The report paid a tribute to the memory of the late Dr Sidey, whose sound judgment and long experience had been invaluable to the Church.—The report was adopted with a slight alteration. APPOINTMENT OP CHAPLAINS. When the chaplains’ report was under consideration the following was carried on the motion of the. Rev. W. Shirer. seconded by the clerk:—“That, in response to the communication anent the promotion of tho bishops of the Church of England in tho ranks of chaplains, the General Assembly is strongly opposed to promotion on the basis of ecclesiastical position, and altogether prefers that the present basis of military service should be continued. At the same time, if this request is granted to the Anglican Church, the Presbyterian Church will expect that an equal number of senior Presbyterian chaplains will receive like promotion.” APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO UNIVERSITY. Applications for admission to the ministry o : the Church wore dealt with as follow; Rev. H. Hitch, declined; Mr G. H. Ralph, declined; Mr F. N. Burcheil, applicant bo required to take two years at the college; Rev. G. G. Cule, referred back to the Christchurch Presbytery. GENERAL. The Assembly agreed to the creation of a new Presbytery, to be known as the Presbytery of Ashburton. It was agreed that next year's meeting should be held in Auckland. EIGHTH DAY. The Presbyterian General Assembly concluded its session on November 26 in First Church, the proceedings commencing at 9 a. in. The first business transacted was the adoption of a motion by Dr Gibb empowering tho Homo Missions Committee to make the various grants requisite for the year’s work. Dr Gibb also moved that Mount Albert (Auckland) be raised to the position of a sanctioned charge. Flo also moved that Presbyteries bo empowered with the consent of the Home Missions Commit hoe to raise to sanctioned chargee those missions fitted for tho position. These propositions were agreed to. Dr Gibb moved that a grant be made from the Home Mission Committee’s fund • of £4O to Chalmers Church so that it could be worked on the Otago church extension platform—The Rev. Mr Sutherland seconded the motion, which was carried. Tho Assembly also decided that Seacliff, Warrington, and Puketeraki he arranged under the church extension charge with the usual grant. A request was received from the Dunedin Presbytery for a grant of £SO for Broad Bay. A motion to this effect was negatived, and an amendment that the request be remitted to tho Home Missions Committee with power to act. was adopted. It was resolved that where possible the first Sunday in May be observed as Bible Society Sunday. The Assembly tendered heart,v congratulations to the Otago Bible Society on the occasion of its jubilee. Dr Gibb moved: That the Assembly, in view of the resignations of tho Rev. .Tohn Mackenzie of the convenorship of the Sabbath Schools Committee, and the joint convenorship of tho Youth Committee, through h’’s transference to Melbourne, place on record an expression of its appreciation of the high services rendered to tho work of God among the young of the Church during the years of his leadership ;n tin'- department. To the furtherance of tho work he gave much time, thought, and devotion, and the discharge of his manifold duties was ever characterised bv a zeal which never outran discretion, and by a discretion • which never hindered zeal. _ In parting with him the Church parts with a worker whom it can ill spare, and to whom it owes a debt of gratitude for much work wisely planned and performed. —This was seconded and carried. The Rev. Mr Collie moved that it be a recommendation to the Finance. Committee to consider the assessment of the fundi with a view to the consideration of their more equitable distribution.—Mr Rvbun! seeonded the moPon. which was carried. The Chitha Presbytery submitted-an overture asking Urn Assembly to take into consideration the fact that many of its charges seriously suffered in consequence of unduly prolonged vacancies, and to instruct Presby-tm-ms to tak« vigilant oversight of all vacant charges, and in the case of all self-sustaining charges that remained for 12 months without "calling a minister, to strengthen the* actmg-Moderatov’s hands by appointing two additional members of the Presbytery, who, together with him, should form a Presbytery Committee to help the vacant charges to a satisfactory settlement; and to instruct, furrlmr. that if a vacant charge be not settled within 12 months thereafter (two years’ vacancy in all), the Presbytery should forthwith take steps to appoint a minister fo the place in the interest of the charge.—Tho Ruv. Mr Ponder (Wait-ahum,) moved Bio adoption of the report.—The Rev. Mr Chandler (Lander) seconded the motion pro forma.—The Rev. J. Aitken suggested that this matter he referred to the e-w-mH o on ministerial transference, to which the Assembly agreed, the motion being withdrwn. The Rev. P. C. Dunvard (Lawrence) submitted tho report of the committee on Protestant principles, which urged that Sunday evening lectures be given on the history of Protestant principles, and that a committee be appointed to carry out this proposal. Ho moved the adoption of the report. —The Rev. T. Miller (Rangiora) seconded the motion, and paid a tribute to Mr Durwavd for the excellent articles ho had written on this subject.—The motion was carried. The reports of the Sustentation Fund Committee and the committee on a uniform system of bookkeeping, wore received. Tho latter report slated that the committee was of the opinion that it should bo empowered to make arrangements for the supply of suitable books for congregational secretaries and treasurers.—Both reports were adopted. An overture by the Chitha Presbytery suggesting that the Assembly in future meet at Easter was negatived on the voices. The session closed with the usual votes of thanks.