WANGANUI PRESBYTERY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 9, 8 December 1926, Page 15

WANGANUI PRESBYTERY.

MEETING AT MARTON. Rev. G. F. Fox, the retiring moderator, presided over the meeting of the Presbytery of Wanganui at Marton yesterday. Elders’ commissions were received from several congregations, including St. Andrew’s, Palmerston North (Messrs J. J. Whitehead and S. Nairn), Taihape (Mr J. Munro) and Fordel (Mr A. Sutherland). Rev. W. E. Elliott, M.A., of Knox Church, Gonville, was elected moderator for the ensuing six months. A letter was received from the home missions committee in reference to the ordination of Mr J. H. Wilson, of Palmerston North outfields. The committee reported that it had considered the matter carefully and found that it could not accedo to the request for ordination. The Assembly Moderator’s itinerary was left to a committee consisting of the clerk, Rev. D. Mclvor and Rev. G. F. Cox. Revs. J. Paterson, M.A., and W. Elliott, M.A., were appointed to draw up a suitable minute concerning the work of Rev. W. McNeur, recently of Westmere. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the Presbytery on February 8 instead of on February' 1. Mr Geo. Stuart, the travelling secretary of the Bible class movement, was present at the meeting and was welcomed. At the invitation of the moderator Mr Stuart addressed the presbytery. He felt gratified at the spirit of expectancy throughout the charges concerning the Wanganui conference. As he looked out on the Bible class movement and felt its pulse, he was sure that what was needed more than anything else was a great spiritual conference. The need of the Bible class movement was a spiritual impetus, and he felt that that would be received at the Wanganui conference—and that it would be the conference of conferences. The moderator stressed the import-' ance of the conference, and Rev. J. Paterson, convener of the catering committee, asked ministers to urge upon their people the desirability of sending as a donation to the conference gifts of meat, vegetables, etc. Arrangements had been made with the caterer to take over all gifts at market price, and this would considerably reduce the cost to the young people. Mr Paterson also urged the ministers to attend. Rev. J. Paterson reported that already the Gipsy Smith mission had started and immense prayer meetings of great promise were being held. The mission would continue from that day for one week. FOXTON CHARGE. Rev. G. T. Brown gave an interim report concerning the charge of Foxton. He spoke of the difficulty of securing a minister from the supply and appointments committee, and moved that Foxton be granted permission to appoint a home missionary in the meantime. This was granted and Mr Brown mentioned that they already had an excellent man in mind, and he felt that before long the problem would be solved. The moderator, who is convener o! the youth committee, gave interesting statistics showing a healthy condition in the youth work in the presbytery. A youth committee was appointed, namely, the ministers and elders of Wanganui, along with three representatives from the Sunday school teachers and two representatives each from the young men’s and young women's Bible classes. A request from Bulls for the interest upon the Kilgour bequest for the past twelve months was gianted. Mr Bredin reported that the Assembly evangelist, Mr Bissett, would be available for work in this presbytery next year. The presbytery approved of the visit of Mr Bissett to this charge early in March, and expressed the hope that he might be able to remain for two or three months. The evangelist committee was asked to get intotduoh

with the various charges and to arrange an itinerary. Rev. J. Paterson, M.A., reported concerning the question of Bible -in schools and temperance. Mr Paterson gave notice of motion that a home missionary committee be appointed in connection with the presbytery, also that the moderator of the presbytery in future be appointed for twelve months.