THEOLOGICAL PROFESSORS

Otago Witness, Issue 3429, 2 December 1919, Page 52

THEOLOGICAL PROFESSORS

ASSEMBLY RECOMMENDATIONS CONFIRMED. (Fkom Our Special Reporter.) fNVEROARUILL, November 25. By ,perm.'ss:on of the General Assembly the Synod of Otago and Southland held a »l>U-k<\, session tit - r o'eloek this atternoon, eiiutiy for tho purpose of dealing With tho recommendations of the Assembly as to the filling of the two vacant chairs in the Theo.ogical Hall. The Assembly had agreed to recommend the Rev. James Gumming, of Khandallah, for the Old Testament Chair, and tho Rev. R. E. Daviesy of Knox Churn, Uunedin, for the New Testament Chair. In both cases the Assembly decided to pass by the recommendations of the committee appointed by the Assembly, and the Synod, who reported in favour of the Rev. Hector Maclean (Invercargill) in the one case, and of tho Rev. John Dow (Montrose) in the othe'r. The Rev. H. H. Barton reported on behalf of the Assembly's Committee, recommending the name of the Rev. John Dow, M.A., of Montro&o, Scotland, for the Chair of New Testament Language and Literature, and the English- Bible. The Moderator of the Synod (the Rev. J. S. Ponder) presided. The Synod had before it four resolutions bearing on the professorships at the Theological Hall and at the Otago University. In passing these to become regulations tho jSynod agreed to- the appointment of two theological professors at salaries of £SOO, with house allowances of £100; to the appointment of a professor of history at the Otago University at £6OO yearly, with the addition of £SO, provided certain publio lectures are given, and to the addition of £SO to the salary of the chair of natural philosophy, provided certain public lectures are given. The Rav. H. H. Barton, on behalf of the Assembly and Synod Committee, moved in accordance with tho mind of the Assembly that the Synod appoint the Rev. J. dimming to the chair of Old Testament language and literature and Church history. The Rev. H. Maclean, the unsuccessful candidate, had a very cordial reception when he rose, to second the motion. He expressed his hopes for the happiness and success of the future occupant of the chair.

The nomination was immediately unanimously confirmed. Mr Barton then moved the appointment of the'Rev. It. E. Davies to the chair of N' % w Testament language arid literature and the English Bible, and -the Rev. S. F. Hunter, one of the unsuccessful candidates, seconded the motion, paying a graceful tribute to Mr Daviss. This nomination »

was also duly approved. The newly-appointed professors were called into the House, and . the result formally communicated to them by the Moderator. Mr Cumming, in responding, made generous reference to the splendid abilities and fine spirit of Mr Maclean. Mr Davies referred to the responsibilities of the office to which he had .been called. The appointments were made to take effect from January 1, 1920. ■