THEOLOGICAL HALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3898, 27 November 1928, Page 51

THEOLOGICAL HALL.

OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES. DR S. F. HUNTER APPOINTED. AUCKLAND, November 23. The Theological Committee’s report was given by the Rev. E. J. Tipler, who expressed .satisfaction because so many students were offering for the ministry and because the financial position was so much improved. Sixty-three students were definitely working under the committee -and several others who were at early stages of their studies were known to be definitely turning their eyes to the work of the church. The interest, too, of the presbyteries in the students within the bounds was most gratifying. The Rev. J. A. Thomson spoke of the number of Auckland students who were offering for the ministry. Ten students of a very fine type were at various stages of their work and an association of them had been formed. Highly eulogistic appreciations of Professor Hewitson and Dr Cumming were adopted, and the hope was expiessed that they would enjoy much happiness in their retirement. For the chair of Old Testament Studies in the Theological Hall three applications were received, namely, those of the Revs. D. C. Herrony- Dr S. F. Hunter, and Alexander Moffatt. Messrs Herron and Hunter were duly nominated, and on a vote being taken a majority of votes was given to Dr Hunter, whose election was accordingly made unanimous. It was further decided to appoint a principal to the Theological Hall, the tenure of the appointment to be for five years. The position is to be an honorary one and the necessary travelling expenses will be paid. The debate was adjourned. The chair to which Dr Hunter has been appointed was made vacant by the retirement of the Rev. Professor Cumming, who had held the professorship for nine years. Dr Hunter took his M.A. degree with second class honours in Semetic languages, and his B.D. at Glasgow University. At the Melbourne College of Divinity he took his B.D. with first class honours in Biblical and historical theology, and his D.D. by thesis. He won the James A. Paterson scholarship in Hebrew and Greek in 1910, the John Clark Mile End scholarship for the postgraduate study of Semetics, and the Glasgow University Oriental Society’s prize for distinction in Arabic. At the conclusion of his course he was first man in the Glasgow Theological College, and he was offered the assistant professorship of Semetie languages at Glasgow. Dr Hunter was minister of St. Paul’s Church, Oamaru, from August, 1915, to July, 1923, and is at present minister of one of the largest churches in Victoria.