Presbyterian General

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4572, 17 February 1893, Page 4

Presbyterian General

Assembly. » »• : "• ■ [Pro Prsss Association.! WELLINGTON, Feb. 16. I A letter was received from the Colonial Convener of the Free Church of Scotland, intimating that it was probable a day would be set apart to commemorate God'a goodness during the last fifty years. A Committee was appointed to frame a suitable reply. The report on statistics was adopted. Ib showed that 141,446 persons avowed themselveß as being of the Presbyterian faith, 74,452 of whom belonged to the New Zealand Church, and 66,994 to the Church of Otago. There were 246 Presbyterian churches and 124 other places at which Presbyterian services were held. Looked at from the most favourable point of view, there were 266,488 persons who were living outside churches of every name. Many attempts had been made to caßt the responsibility for this state of things upon the churches. So far as' the churches bad been guilty of negligence or unfaithfulness in their mission, they were responsible, but nothing more. It could not be ignored that a considerable portion of those 266,488 persons, from their mode of thinking aud living, found nothing in the churches which they cared for, while a considerable number, it was to be feared, were severed from the churches by alienation of mind from the things with which the churches were entrusted. The churches could not be held responsible for those who would not accept their provision. A great many suggestions were also being made as to the means by which this lamentable state of things might be corrected. Some would institute what were called pleasant I Sabbath afternoons} some would substitute . social questions for Christian doctrines for discussion in the pulpit; and others suggested other remedies of every hue. As citizens, members of churches might do much to ameliorate social disorders, but the Churoh itself could do very little directly if she were faithful to her calling. The report concluded by stating that there waa very much land to be possessed, and that the Church, as a whole, required to arise and shine, and let her light be felt. This reflection applied to every Church organisation in the country, according to statements contained in the census, and to the larger denominations in much greater degree than to the smaller. The report of the aged and infirm ministers' fund Bnowed that the revenue for this year had amounted to .£302 43 Id. By the death of the Eev P. Calder, the. allowance paid to him ceased. The capital stood at J52743 19a 9d. It was trusted that all congregations would, in future, contribute their quota of £2 10s per annum, to make the fund 'accomplish the purpose of its establishment. If they did not a readjustment of the rates of annuity paid would be required. ; Consideration of the report was held over until to-morrow. A public meeting in connection with the Presbyterian Synod was largely attended. Addresses were delivered by the Eev M. M'Kerrow (Ofcago), on "The Forward Movement; the Rev J. Sommerville (Auckland), on "The Strength of Influenco and the Future of the Presbyterian Church; the Eev J. Hall (Westport), on "Church Extension/ and the Sev E. Irwia, on " Foreign Missions."