PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5489, 14 February 1896, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

[Pbb Press Association.] 1 WELLINGTON, Feb. 13. The action of the Presbytery of Christ-" church in ordaining Mr R. S. Allen, a .probationer of the Church of Otago and Southland, to the Sydenham charge, was validated. The discussion of the report of the Committee on Religion and Morals was resumed, and the report was: unanimously adopted. The Rev A. B. Todd (Timaru) brought up the report, on the aged, and infirm ministers' funds. No fresh grants had been applied for during the year. The revenue had been J294 6s Id and the expenditure .£lO3 6s Id. The capital now 'stood at 3s 3d. The report was adopted. The report on the widows and orphans' fund was then referred to a committee to consider certain questions raised. At the evening sitting the Eev A. B. T Todd proposed, and the Eev J. Paterson seconded^ a motion conveying to the Eev 3). Sidey, clerk of the Assembly, congratulations upon the .honour conferred on him 1 , by the degree of D.D. from the Edinburgh' University. The 32ey D.' Duttou' and the Eev! A. Cameron,, deputies . from the '. synod. ■■ of ; . Otago and Southland, addressed the Assembly and received a . kindly, welcome:, The Eev Gordon. Webster,: M.A.,'.give iii -t&e report , of the. iOniori- .Cptiamittee. ",,■ 'Satisfaction : wa,s expressed that Bteady progress was being made towards union between the Churches. The report of the Committee on Education was received. The Eev G. Webster moved the adoption of the report. He supported lie proposal to introduce the Irish Text-' book of Scripture Lessons into the State schools. The Eev J. Paterson seconded the motion. TheEev J.M'Zenzie(Nelson)moved and Mr Farr seconded — "Thatthe Assembly declines to call upon the State to engage in religious teaching, but resolves to exhort all who. love our Lord, especially parents ■and Sabbath school teachers, to redouble 4heir efforts on behalf of the children that, under the 'blessing of the Divine Spirit, , they may fcnow and love the Sayidur." I 'The question' is still under discussion. ' .