SECOND EDITION IN MISSION FIELD

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 261, 13 November 1934, Page 8

SECOND EDITION IN MISSION FIELD

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORK AMONG MAORIS DUNEDIN, Last Night. The Presbyterian General Assembly to-day. following the presentation of the report of the church property trustees, agreed to allow the trustees to take over the ownership of the lona College property in Hawke s Bay on the distinct understanding that the present debt on the property is not to be transferred to the General Assembly. The carelessness of private or congregational trustees was referred to and it was recommended to the assembly that a Supreme Court ruling be obtained. The fire insurance fund holds insurances to an amount of over one million pounds, and Mr A. D. Thomson commented on the fact that fire levies unpaid amount to £7OO. He urged that this was a careless and unfair action, for which church managers deserved censure. The tendency of the assembly to make grants to needy funds from fire insurance capital was deprecated. Over £9OOO had recently been drawn from profits. This was more than the fund had earned. It was agreed to amend the regulations so as to prevent invoice inroads upon profits by motions in Assembly before being carefully considered. Maori Mission Work Speaking on the Maori Mission report the Rev. D. D. Scott pointed out that the church was ministering to over 4000 Maoris and nearly 2000 Europeans. Missionaries to the Maoris give Scripture lessons to 1500 children and almost 1000 children attend Maori Sunday schools. The Sacrament of Baptism had been administered to over 1000 persons, and nearly 500 members are on the Maori Communion roll.

A motion to direct the home mission and theological hall committees to consider which of the home missionaries should be gjven full ministerial status was keenly debated, and finally rejected by a decisive, majority.

The question of the purchase of a block of land suitable for a training farm for Maori boys was discussed. The matter came from Maori leaders, not from the church.

The Rev J. G. Laughton laid the facts before the assembly, and moved that a block of land offered to the church be purchased. He pointed out there was money in hand for the purpose, and if authority was obtainable from the responsible board there was a good opportunity to help the Maoi i people.

The assembly authorised the purchase.

The Rev. D. M. Hercus questioned the validity of the action of the committee in gazetting deaconesses working in the Maori field as officiating ministers under the Marriage Act. and moved thaat the matter should have come before the assembly before being decided. The Rev. J. H. McKenzie gave reasons for what had been done and the action of the clerk of the assembly was confirmed. Later a motion was carried stating that women missionaries working undet the Maori committe are ministers of religion for the purpose of the Marriage Act. Missionary Demonstration Knox Church. Dunedin, was crowded for a missionary demonstration There was great enthusiasm when all the fields occupied by the Presbyterian Church were described. The Rev. Angus McKenzie, speaking of the Maori Mission work, stressed the shame which the church should feel because they had begun work among the Maoris so late—twenty-nine years later than the Anglicans. He described the work of preaching and social service, which was so necessary and the medical help which each missionary could render. He appealed for more workers to meet the increasing opportunities.

The Rev. George Budd spoke on home missions, and showed the marvellous change which has come over the work which is being carried on. He told of generous donors to the needs of the missionaries, and called upon the church to seize the opportunity presented. The Rev. J. L. Grey, from Jagadhri, India, said critical days such as these were eloquent arguments for an advance. The history of the church showed the wisdom of advance.

Preaching led to medical service and to educational efforts, and so to industrial work. He spoke of revival movements in Khasar and in Jagadhri, and urged that their work must advance if they were to hold what they had gained. The Rev. G. H. McNeur, over thirty years missionary in Canton, spoke a farewell word, saying it was hardly likely he would again address them as a missionary. The doors were wide open in China and India, he said, but the doors were closed at home. His challenge was that of the church’s unfinished task.