PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2934, 18 February 1896, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, Feb. 14. The following wore admitted to the ministry of the Church : —T. Walls, D. McDougall, H. J. Lewis, Alex. McLean, and J. Griffiths. On complying with certain conditions, the Rev. Miller Smith was recommended to apply in duo form for employment by the church extension scheme. The question of his admission to the ministry was deferred to next Assembly. Mr Bates was permitted to go forward to the entrance examination for the Theological Hall. The report of the foreign mission committee was brought forward by the Rev. H. Grant. Reference was made to tho noble work done by tho Rev. Mr Watt, of Tanna, for many years ; that £1248 had been contributed by the Church towards foreign missions during the year; Miss M. Phillips, of Auckland, had been appointed nurse to the hospital at Ambrym, whose prospects had never been brighter ; that at present the Dayspring 111. is now making her maiden trip to the New Hebrides. Although the consideration of the Rev. W, Watt’s generous offer to remain as out-missionary on Tanna without salary if a new man was appointed was postponed to this Assembly, he had with characteristic generosity returned the whole of his salary for the last year. The hope was expressed that another missionary would soon be appointed to assist the Rev. Mr Watt in his good work. Dr Lamb and his party had returned to Ambrym ; all wore well, and work was being carried on diligently. Tho mission dwellings were completed; the hospital will be finished about tho end of the year, and the doctor reported that the medical and surgical cases had all done well, but ho would be glad to see the machinery completed for this part of the work. The Rev. W. Watt, of Tanna, gave an interesting address on tho work in the New Hebrides, Tho Rev. C. Murray moved the adoption of the report. Tho Maori mission report was presented by the Rev. D. Gordon, and the Chinese mission report by the Rev. W. Douglass. Feb. 17. The Presbyterian Assembly resumed this morning. The following resolution was carried ; “ That in the opinion of this Assembly the Declaratory Act of tho Church Jof Otago and Southland, adopted by the Assembly last year as a basis for further negotiations in the matter of union, should now be adopted by this Church, as exhibiting the sense in which the office bearers in this Church may interpret the Confession of Faith, and that with a view to this the said Act be sent down to the Presbyteries and Sessions for their consideration and report thereon, in terms of Section 249 of tho Book of Order; and that the clerk be instructed to have the said Declaratory Act printed in the proceedings of the Assembly for the use of members in this connection.” Commissions were granted to Messrs Aitken and Allan, of Wellington, to attend meeting of assemblies and synods of the Presbyterian Church at Home, during their proposed visit. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the Assembly at Christchurch, on the second Tuesday in February, 1897. The Rev. Mr Watt, Moderator, closed the Assembly in tho usual way.