PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 245, 19 November 1914, Page 8

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

OPENED AT DUNEDIN. . Press Association. DUNEDIN, November 18. The Presbyterian .General Assembly opened to-night, when the Rev. W. Grant, of Dannevirke, who was elected Moderator for the ensuing year, delivered an address on ( ' Sabbath Observance." ■, The treasurer's statement, which was adopted, showed that congregational contributions had reached the large total of £23,630, as compared with £15,933 last year. The increase was largely due to contributions through the "EveryMember ; ' campaign for the Canton sites and building fund. The expenditure on all mission funds during Tecent years ha*d exceeded ordinary income, and generous giving and careful management were necessary if retrenchment was to be avoided. One hundred and fifty min-, isters and home, xuisaionaries had been insured against sickness and accident, and five had -received compensation amounting .to £lO2 10/-. - ~ -- The report on general' and financial statistics showed a decrease, in. attendance at public worship' over the whole Chureh to the. net extent of 1320. ,The decrease was in striking contrast to last year's increase of considerably over 2000. The total membership showed a net .gain of 1161, and now stood at 41,G50, the highest yet recorded. The debt on Church property had risen by £17,371 to £98,000, involving an annual payment of £3OOO in interest. There was an increase of £12,888 in the revenue, the gross total of which was £157,226, jnuch the largest in the Church's history. ' • The repqrt was adopted.