PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1920, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. By Tslejiaph.—l'ress Association. Wellington, Nov. 17. At the Presbyterian General Assembly to-day the treasurer (The Rev. W. J. Comrie) reported that contributions to the general funds of 'the church had again exceeded all previous records. This was largely due to the special appeal made to meet the crisis in foreign mission work arising from the adverse rate of exchange. Most of the other funds also showed hifveased income. The Theological College Fund was in the most unsatisfactory condition. Its income was not only far less than required, but was .Cfil) less than in the last four previous years. All the larger Presbyteries showed lessened contributions, the falling off being greatest in Wellington, Christohurch, Oamaru and Dunedin. One hundred and twenty-three ministers .and home missionaries were insured against accident and sickness and premiums amounting to £IS2 had been paid. Compensation totalling £125 had been paid to ten ministers and home missionaries. The treasurer's report was adopted. The Rev W. H. Homes, member of the statistical committee, reported that throughout the church there had been a decrease of membership of 374-02 in the North Island and 282 in the South Island. Tjhe largest decrease was recorded by Wanganui Presbytery—l 44. In the matter of attendance at publicworship there was a decrease of about a score over the decrease in membership Tn connection with pastoral care there had been an increase of some 1300, but increased pastoral care had not shown itself in increased membership, nor yet in increased church attendance. The ressuits wer« intangible in those directions Increase in pastoral care was confined to the North Island, There were 142.3113 Presbyterians in the South 'lsland and 11(1,173 in the North Island. The lota) ordinary revenue of the church showed an increase of over £3(1,(100. The South Island raised £105,315. the North Islnnd £Bo.3o4—making a total of .t'lS.i,olo. The total for building, property debt or from rent was .€57.547. Those two lines of finance yielded nearly a quarter of a million, and d'nl not include the effort last year for missions, towards which the South Island contributed £134,975, arid the North Island £103,191. The 'total debt was £IOB,IOO. Tin ronort wit adonted.