LAYMEN OR MINISTERS?

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15192, 12 April 1917, Page 5

LAYMEN OR MINISTERS?

BALLOTED HOME MISSIONARIES. CHRISTCHURCH, April 11. The position of Presbyterian botoa missionaries called up by ballot was discnased at the Christchurch Presbyw tery's meeting to-day. The matter was introduced by the following recommendation from the Auckland Presbytery:—"That in order to secure equality of treatment to the different Churches under the Military Service Act and the ballot, home missionaries should not be treated as layrcten." It was pointed out that the home mis* sionaries did practically the same works as ministers. The Rev. Dr. Irvin stated that home missionaries practically stood, in the same relation as Anglican curates or Salvation Army officers, who wera appealed for successfully. Personally he did not consider it wise at present to adopt the Auckland Presbytery's re-? commendations. In any case there won practically no unmarried home missionaries, so that the position would bolj affect them until the Second Division was called up. It being mentioned that the Dunedin Presbytery had communicated onj the matter with the Minister for De« fence, it was decided to defer an anewer to Auckland until the Minister's decision had been received.