NELSON PRESBYTERY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14196, 7 June 1916, Page 2

NELSON PRESBYTERY.

A meeting of the Nelson Prosbjrtei'y was held on Friday last, in St. Andrew's, Blenheim, the Rev. A. A. Armstrong (Moderator) presiding. The first business was the election of Moderator for tho current year, which resulted in the Rev. Mr Armstrong- being reappointed to that honour. Two newly arrived mi&feioners — Mr W. Kearney (Seddon) and Rev. J. Richards (Remvicktown) —were present, and were welcomed by the Moderator, who congratulated tlis Presbytery on having uvo such able men' appointed to work within its bounds. Matters concerning tho youth of the Church and home mission work -neio discussed, it being decided that each charge be strongly urged to bear in mind vthe great need for increased sup-, port.in. these directions. It is desired that each charge endeavour to rise to its obligations this >year. ' The Rev. J. H. MacKenzie, of Nelson, presented a lengthy and inspiring report, dealing with the position and developing of the growingly important home mission charges under, his care in the Nelson district. The Presbytery was glad to heair from the Rev. W. 0. Robb that Seddon had also decided to increase the .missionary's stipend and improve his circumstances generally.' Various matters arising out of remits to'the Assembly were dealt with. The Rev. J^ H. MacKenzie reported that he had -recently received promotion t;> the rank of chaplain-colonel, having fulfilled the required years of service. The Presbytery conveyed its congratula--tions, and expressed the hope that the Government would resist all endeavours'to introduce ecclesiastic office into the matter of •chaplains'- status. The present system of seniority by service was supported. In dealing with tho war, the Moderator drew attention to the interesting fact that ."tho Presbyterian Church of New Zealand had made, earnest and persistent efforts to prevent the present dreadful conflict. . The Presbytery of. Nelson made an endeavour, some time before the war broke out, to foster a ■peaceful spirit between Britain and Germany, a resolution being forwarded to the Lutheran Church, to which no reply • was received. The Christchurch Presbytery, some time after, renewed the overtures. This time a reply was received from Dr. Dryander, Court preacher tind minister to the Kaiser, on behalf of the German Church, saying that the German public or Church had no sympathy with the peace movement*' holding that the ideals of Germany depended for fulfilment upon military power. This fact, said the.Moderator, should be especially noted as evidence directly as to the spirit. of the Presbj^terian Church of this land, and also of what evil consequences are possible where the Church is dominated by the State, as. in jbe case in Germany to-day. The Moderator expressed his. willingness to go on active service, and it was decided to forward his name to the Chaplains' Committee.