EVANGELICAL WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1934, Page 5

EVANGELICAL WORK

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PLANS. GENERAL ASSEMBLY' MEETING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night; At the Presbyterian General Assembly to-day the Rev. J. H. McKenzie moved that the name of the church paper be changed from “The Outlook” to “New Zealand Presbyterian.”' An amendment to.,refer the question to the special committee on publications was called. It was agreed that the present arrangements for editing “The Outlook” be continued.

The Rev; D. M. Cattanach presented the report of' the life and work committee. He said emphasis during the year was placed on devotion and consecration. In July ministers who were broadcasting were asked to deal with Sabbath observance. This, was done, in most pulpits. Evangelism had not been neglected, but the office of evangelist should not be filled in the meantime.. It was decided that presbyteries endeavour to make special arrangements for evangelistic efforts during 1935 and where possible ministers be released from their charges to do evangelistic work for short periods. The Rev. L. H. Hunt moved that the. life and work committee explore reasons for the decline in church attendance. Those who. attended church twice on Sunday were a diminishing group. Mr. Hunt indicated that in his opinion, the returns of church attendance presented, to the assembly were fallacious. It was decided to give the heartiest approval to, His. Excellency the GovernorGeneral’s proposal for establishing’ S' Bible reading in the home league. The youth of the church committee reported 40,000 scholars and 14,000 Bible class members. The. Rev. J. Hubbard said teacher' training was the most important conception of the unity of the church’s youth. The work was growing; and. seizing opportunities under the Nelson system.

The committee was directed to take steps to prepare a syllabus of lessons to be used in classes taught, in State schools.

An overture from the Presbytery of Wellington asked that the director of youth work be appointed an inspector of religious instruction and worship in all colleges under the church’s patronage, and that he furnish yearly a report on this aspect of the school work,. The Rev. D. M. Hercus emphasised, that, the director’s work was to be a helper,, not an inquisitor. The Rev. J. H. Mackenzie pointed out, that really the assembly had no right to appoint an inspector. The petition of overture was lost. When a deputation from the New- Zealand Alliance was received, Mr. Herbert Adams spoke of the election next year and said a tremendous slide against nolicense imperilled the very powers won many years ago by the leaders of the prohibition cause. Local no-license was at stake, the re-distribution of licenses was at stake, and even the right to poll on no-license might be at stake. Mr. Adams urged the assembly to take these matters into consideration, remembering that the liquor traffic remained a challenge to the church. The Rev. H. E. Bellhouse, speaking for a deputation from the League of Nations Union, urged that though, the league was misunderstod in many quarters, yet it was the outstanding force in the world to-day making for peace and amity among nations. He acknowledged weaknesses in the past, instancing Manchukuo and the disarmament problem. He pointed, out that, the League had done work so real as to make it worthy of the support of all right thinking and especially Christian people. Despite its weaknesses the League was the outstanding force against the recurrence of war. Mr. Bellhouse urged support of the union by all church members.