Presbyterian Assembly.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2412, 18 February 1899, Page 2

Presbyterian Assembly.

Pee Press Association

WELLINGTON, February 17

At the Presbyterian Assembly Mr Aitken, of Wellington, as convenor of the Wellington Elders’ Association, introduced the question of the possibility of creating a fund for church and manse building and the extinction of the existing debt He Slid that the Wellington Elders’ Association had gone fully into the question, and recommended the Assembly to sanction such a scheme, and to set up a committee of its own members to carry it out. The fund is to be called “ the new century fund,” and the amount to be raised will be £20,000, The objects to be served will be the erection of churches and manses in new and needy districts, and to assist exist ing congregations labouring under debt. On the motion of the Rev. W. Gillies it was decided that, the fund to be raised should be reduced to £IO,OOO for the present, an ! named the Wellington Elders Association as executive committee for the fund, and that presbyteries be advised to help in the way of releasing any minister who may be chosen to canvass for the fund.

The report, of the Committee on Union was bronght down, regretting that no substantial progress had been made towards union with the Church of Southland and Otago, but recommend ing a further conference, such being eminently in harmony with the great interests of unity and union by which Presbyterianism had all along been distinguished. The Kev. Wm. Gillies (Timaru), the Rev. James Patterson (Wellington), the Rev. O. S. Ogg (Wellington), the Rev. John Ross (Turakina), and the Rev. Dr Irwin (Christchurch), and Mr Aitken (Wellington) having spoken, the recommendation was carried.