Wanganui Presbytery

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7025, 8 December 1932, Page 5

Wanganui Presbytery

MEETING AT MAETON. Tlio Presbytery of Wanganui met ,n Marton on Tuesday. Kev. L. G. B. .Whitehead,'tne moderator, occupied tlie chair, and there, was a large attendance of ministers, homo missionaries and olders.

Kcv. B. It. McDonald wrote to the presbytery reporting that the sorvices liad been discontinued at Haicombe Irom October. —It was pointed out that the Peilding session stiould taite the general oversight of tho property and make any necessary local arrangements. Mr. A. I'. Stewart gave an interesting report of tho work in tho Apiti and Kimbolton district. Ho referred to the campaign of witness that had been held in October and tho splendid results it had effected in the district. Bulls: In the absence of Mr. Lane, the clerk read a report showing a satisfactory state of things in a growingly extensive district.

Mangaweka: Mr. P. McG. Murray told of well attended services in the main centres. Tho two Bible classes in the district were keeping well together and were working harmoniously. The Sunday school work was mostly worked on the undenominational scheme.

Hunterville: Mr. D. B. Stewart reported a year of “plodding progress.” Two Bible classes conducted by tho missionary, were doing steady work. Services had been opened up at Kata. Ohakune and Kaetihi: Mr. E. C. Farr gave a Tecord of steady spiritual and financial progress in spite of the depressed days. The spirit of contention had largely disappeared and a hearty spirit of co-operation was taking its placo. Palmerston North outfields: Mr. W. J. Berry reported briefly, revealing a happy condition of things in this area. Manawatu south: Mr. E. Leishman spoke of the work at Shannon, Foxton, Tokomaru and Opiki, showing how the work of the amalgamated district was on tho whole being faced in tho right spirit and carried on with success. A comprehensive vote of thanks and appreciation to the Home Missionaries was moved by Kev. G. King and seconded by Kcv. E. T. King and CarTied. Presbyterial Visitations.

Palmerston North (St. Andrew's): Kev. D. Mclvor presented to the presbytery the finding of the Commission of Presbytery concerning the work at St. Andrew's, Palmerston North. This was of a very encouraging and gratifying nature. The finding was adopted and it, was appointed that the finding be read to the congregation next Lord's Day, at the special anniversary services, to be conducted by Kcv. J. Lawson Kobinson, 8.A., of Christchurch. Marton: Kev. C. W. Wyatt, presented to the Presbytery the finding come to by the commission appointed to visit the congregation in Marton. This showed a gratifying state of things generally in all the many and various organisations and activities of the congregation. It was appointed that, the finding should be Tead to the congregation by Kev. C. W. Watt, at a date to be arranged. St. James, Wanganui: Kev .John Paterson presented to the Presbytery the finding concerning St. James, Wanganui East. There was much steady patient work by the minister and office-bearers. Special reference was made to the recent mission by Kev. E. K. Harrier, which had heartened up the work considerably. Eepresentative tc Assembly.

The following congregations were asked to appoint elders as representatives to the coming Assembly in Wanganui; St. Andrew's, and St. David's, Palmerston North; Turakina; St. James, Wanganui; St. Paul’s, Wanganui; and Westmerc. The other congregations will be represented by their ministers. Mystery; Trains.

On the motion of Rev. 0. S. King, a strong protest was voiced by the Wanagnui Presbytery against the running of “mystery trains’’ by the Government. In a telling speech Mr. King pointed out the anomaly of any board in a Christian land being allowed to commercialise the Christian Sabbath. The terms of the resolution were: “That the Presbytery of Wananui .views with considerable misgiving the continued and increasing disregard of the sanctity of the Lord’s Day and protests against the commercialising of this lack of reverence of the day of xest by the Government Railways Board in running so called “mystery trains” and other special trains to augment the income of the railway.