DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3726, 11 August 1925, Page 6

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Tho monthly meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery, held at First Church on luesUay moimng, was presided over by the Aiodeiator Ithe Rev. J. M. Simpson]. Arrangements were completed for the induction oi tuo Rev. J. W. M’Kenzie at Port Chalmers at a date to be fixed. A SOCIAL SERVICE PROBLEM. The Rev. tir H. Jupp wrote drawing attention to the large numbers of children in orphanages directly supported by denominational agencies, amounting in all to 3560. To these must be added as many more who were wards of the State. We had known that the home life of our land had been breaking down very sadly, but it this continued to be it was easily seen that our condition as a people would be sad in the extreme. He suggested that the Presbytery’s Public Question Comn.ittoe should discuss the matter and frame an overture asking the Assembly’s Public Questions Committee to confer with other denominations with a view to concerted action at a definite time to bring before the people of the dominion the peril in which we were placed through the decay of home life. He thought that any action taken should be concerted, and, as far as possible, dominion wide. On the motion of the Clerk of Presbytery, the Rev. J. Kilpatrick, it was decided to refer the matter to the Public Questions Committee and the Social Service Committee. Mr Jupp said he had made it quite clear in his letter that he was not mariner any kind of attack on the social service work of the church. He referred to the matter of eongp=t : on of houses through the practice of subletting. and said he merelv wished to bring the matter before the Presbytery for full co n sidoration and discussion. PUBLIC QUESTIONS. The Kev.fVY. irotier presented a report from tne FuL>hc Questions Committee. They wanted, to empnasise the need ior ounaay ouservance, and tnev wanted to urge their people to be more and more devoted to the Sabbath. The matter had come uefore the City Council recently, and lie thought it was a pity that some of the councillors should be charged with narrowness. It was very easy to claim breadth. He was afraid that many of those who claimed breadth had only shallowness behind them. It would be found that those who sought to serve the interests of the Lord’s Day were seeking the good of the whole community—the intellectual, moral, and spiritual good, and the social and commercial good as well. They should let it be known that they wanted to do their best to conserve the interests of the Lord’s Day, which meant the interests of worship and the Christian religion. They also had the matter of lotteries again before them, and it bad been referred to the Assembly’s committee in Wellington. The fear was that that the law in this respect was simply being overriden. A small committee had been appointed to visit the American fleet and offer a welcome. The report was adopted. HOUR OF EVENING SERVICE. The Secretary of the Council of Christian Congregations wrote stating that the council had been requested to consider the advisability of altering the hour of the evening service during the summer months from 6.30 to 7. All the Presbyterian ministers of tho city and suburbs had been communicated with on the subject, and thcN council desired to have the mind of the Presbytery upon it. The Rev. W. Trotter said that if anybody in the Presbytery desired the change they should bring the matter forward and let it be considered with reasons. The Rev. Dr Merrington said that there was quite a body of opinion that the hour of 6.30 was too early. Many visitors did not find out the early timo of the evening service here till it was too late to go. It made a great rush for many church workers, whose time was fully occupied pn the Sunday. One church which had already made the change reported to the Council of Christian * Congregations that a largely increased attendance had resulted. It was very largely’ a matter of local convenience, and it was very undesirable that one church should adoDt an hour without consideration of the feelings of others. Personally, he would be in favour of 7 o’clock, but in any case he thought that nothing but good could come from a full discussion. The Rev. J. J. Caimey said that most country congregations met now at 7 o’clock. The Rev. J. Kilpatrick moved that the matter be referred to the Public Questions Committee for report. The Rev. E. .T. Tinier moved as on amendment that the matter be sent, to kirk sessions. It was a matter of individual convenience. Mr Trotter seconded the clerk’s motion, and said it was verv desirable that thev should all act together in this matter. One church meeting at one hour and another at. another would produce ereat confusion. Mr Tipler’s amendment was carried WEEK NIGHT PUAYER MEETINGS The Rev. G. Miller reported on the matter of the week-night prayer meeting. The committee agreed on the supreme importance of prayer, and had considered various hindrances to the prayer meeting and means by which it could be made more effective. Tho committee favoured variety of methods and the formation of covenant leagues. More care should be exercised in the admission of church members. An aggressive evangelism was absolutely necessary to the growth of the Church. The suggestions in the report raised a lengthy and practical discussion on prayer and prayer meetings, at the close of which Mr Miller was thanked for his report. DATE OF ASSEMBLY MEETING. The Rev. J. Kilpatrick aid there was a general feeling that a blunder had been made in postponing the date of the Assembly meeting for a week and a day. He thought it should begin on Tuesday, November 10. instead of Wednesday, November 11. It was decided to recommend the change. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. The Rev. J. Kilpatrick moved that the Presbytery support what was known as the Isitt Bill for Biblo reading in State schools This was unanimously carried.