ANNUAL SYNOD.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18878, 23 February 1933, Page 10

ANNUAL SYNOD.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP. COMMITTEE’S REPORT. ('Special to Times.) WANGANUI, Thursday. Numerous reports on the various phases of the Presbyterian Church’s activities were submitted at the General Assembly of that body which is being held here. The following are Bxtratots: The year 1932 has been one of strange contrasts in the foreign missions work of the Church. Abroad there have been expanding opportunities, especially-' in the mission fields of the Church.in India and China. At home the signs of contracting income have restrained any increase of staff and 'filled the minds of many with apprehension. In China the uncertainty owing to political and 'international complications still makes difficult conditions for the progress of the work. An interesting experiment in co-operation with the native church has now !>een carried on for five years with a good deal of success, and negotiations are in progress for continuance of the experiment for a further term of years. In India all branches of the work, evangelistic, educational and medical have 'been steadily carried forward. • The work of the Presbyterian Church in the home mission field and In its Maori field is constantly overlapping. Consequently suggestions are being made for amalgamating the Rome and Maori 'Mission Committees with a view to more effective work. The Maori mission work is confined mainly to the area that lies about the Urewera or Tuhoe country, together with stations at Taumarunui, Nutiaka, Opotlkl and some others. The report stresses the change that has come over the field during the past few years. Reading conditions have so improved that all the stations save one can be reached by motor-ear. White people aro steadily invading the country that was quite recently occupied exclusively by Maoris.

The Sunday Schools. The Assembly’s Youth Committee records a year of steady progress in most departments of its work. Both 'Bible Class Unions report increases in membership. The number of teachers in Hie Sunday schools has increased l,v about 140, and the number or scholars by 1300. but the finance is down by about £3OO. The committee on statistics reported that persons under pastoral care in 207 charges and 102 mission stations passed the 200,000 mark, hut church attendances at 003 churches and 732 preaching places trend downward. Three thousand and fortyfive new communicants, the most on record, with 140 from overseas and ion from sister ■churches raised the roll D 33,633. Prayer meetings show

encouraging, and, in some cases, striking signs of revival. There comes from several quarters ■the expressed conviction that the 'time Is ripe for 'the preparation and circulation of suitable pamphlet literature to counteract the influence of much that is being hawked from door to door. It is proposed that a special committee take this work In hand. There is a regrettable neglect of the forms of religion in the home. Radio broadcasting is serving a useful purpose in helping to 'counteract this trend.

Despite the alarming accumulation of divorces in the community, there Is little evidence of looseness in the marriage relationship among our Church people. Property and Insurance.

During the year property of two congregations was sold for £2BB, and nine properties were mortgaged for £7llß. Repayments of mortgages, etc., amounted .to £21,007, and new investments to £’26,091. New legislation and taxation have caused a reduction in income. The reserve fund had its 'first call last year to the extent or £3 12s lid, and now stands at £lßl3. It is recommended that the levy on income and investments for this purpose remain at 11 per cent.

Fire insurances now total £1,026,556. The risk is distributed over 474 churches, 284 manses, 278 schoolrooms, and other church buildings. The total lire loss last year was £l6B. The amount to the credit of the fund is now £i0,399. The treasurer reported that there had been a further decline in the congregational contributions for the mission activities of the Church. The amount 'contributed was the lowest for any year since 1919, although .Church membership had increased since that year by over 10,000 (approximately 25 per cent.).

Tlie Advisory Board, in Its report, stated that it had agreed to recommend that a budget amounting lo £39,815 be authorised, the principal items being: Foreign missions, £18,335; homo missions and central fund. £12,614; Maori missions, £5422; youth work, £2074.