ASHBURTON PRESBYTERY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12288, 10 April 1918, Page 3

ASHBURTON PRESBYTERY.

Quarterly Session.

The quarterly session of the Ashburton Presbytery was held yesterday, the Moderator, the Rev A. S. Morrison, presiding. On the motion of Mr R. Gilmour, seconded by Mr W. Oakley, the matter of a house of seven rooms and an acre of land at Hinds, for a manse, was approved, though tho llov G. Miller expressed the opinion that the purchase of tho property had not been done in a strictly regular manner, in so far as first getting the approval of the Presbytery. Tho property had been puichnscd for £470, and so far only £7O had been subscribed and promised. Ho thought if a proper canvass had been made tho whole of the sum of £470 might have been raised. The Moderator expressed the opinion that the Hinds congregation was to be congratulated on the forward movement it had made. It was reported that the Presbytery's estimated contribution for the Home Mission Fund (or the ensuing year was £133. The Rev G. Miller said he thought collecting agencies in each district should bo established for this purpose. This would be far more successful than making collections in tho separate churches. The Rev G. Aitken said he was in entire accord with Mr Miller. Whore this method had been adopted it had been a great success. It would bo a good idea to recommend all tho congregations to adopt a collecting principle. On the motion of Mr Miller it was decided that it bo a recommendation that a of collecting agencies tic estab!.-bed for f oh charge. The Revs 0. Miller and G. K. Aitken raid Mr W. Oakley were appointed a committee to make an assessment for each charge’s contribution towards the total of £133. A circular letter was road from the Chaplains’ Committee appealing for help for tho necessary funds to enable the committee to 'continue ■ the good work in the New Zealand camps and on transports, and to supply chaplains abroad with the amounts they Use at the front and in tho camps and hospitals in the Homeland. The letter was approved, and it was decided to recommend the appeal to the practical sympathy of tho congregations in each charge. A committee was appointed to consider the remits to be forwarded to the Assembly with reference to the Book of Order. It was decided to recommend that a Sabbath School Association be reformed in the Ashburton Presbytery district, and to convene a meeting for that purpose at an early date.