Presbytery of Auckland.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 26, 1 February 1887, Page 2

Presbytery of Auckland.

THE annual meeting of tho Presbytery of Auckland was opened in St. Andrew's Church at 10 o'clock this morning. Prosent: Roys. John Macky (Acting-Moderator), R. Sommervillo (clork), Thos. Norrie, R. F. Macniool, J. Noill, B. Hutson, A. Carrick, G. B. Monro, D. W. Runcimon, D. J. Stoolo, J. Dickson, T. VV. Dunn, W. Evans, A. McKenzio. U.S. Boyd, and tho following oldors :—Messrs A, Stewart, .). Angu3, A. Winks, and P. Mucky, and Mr Benning (studont). The Sedoruont was opened according to usage with devotional oxercisos. Eldkks1 Commissions. —Elders' commissions wero received as follows : —L. White (Onohuuga), A. Stonart (St. Luko's, Remuera), David Garrioch (St. Voter's, Auckland), Petor Mackio (St. James's, Auckland), John Angus (St David's, Auckland), Alox. Winks (St. Andrew's), Auckland). Election of Modeuatuu.—Tho Rev. R. Sommervillo moved and tho Rev. A. Carrick seconded tho appointment of tho Roy. T. W. Dunn as Moderator of the Prosbylory for the oneuing six months in succession to tho Roy. R. McKinnoy. Tho motion was agreed to, and Mr Dunn thoroforo assumed tho Moderator's chair. VlSlTU'd fI.KUOYMKN.—The Roy. (J. B. Monro introduced tho Roy. William Nichol (minister of Havelock, Hawke's Bay), now on a vi-it to Auckland, and tho Roy. A. Carrick introduced tho Roy. J. Dickson, a minister from Ireland.—lt was resolved that both gontlcmen should be received and associated with the Presbytery, and tho Moderator duly welcomed them. StuijuntEvanoklisti).—Tho Roy. G. B. Monro reported verbally upon the credentials of Mr Job Bonning, an applicant for admission to tho status of a theological student of the Presbyterian Church. Mr Benning had been admitted to the Wesleyan Church six years ago. Ho had boon preaching for tho last four yoars.and was possessed ot the gift of epeaking. Ho came to the colony last April, and for the past soven months had beon preaching with acceptance in Mr Dunn's district. Ho had loft tho Wcsleyan for the Preebytorian Church, and was doeircms of having his services accoptod Tho Moderator confirmed Mr Monro s favourable report, and on tho motion of tho Roy. G. B. Monro, seconded by the Rev. J. Neill, it was agreed to recommend the Assembly to accept Mr Benning as ft student evangelist.— Tho Rev. R. Sommerville mentioned that thoro was another applicant for acceptance as a student ovuncolist, viz., Alexander

Samuel Morrison, eon of a formor missionary to tho New Ilobrides. Ho had ben studying for tho ministry, but two yoara ngo failing eyesight obliged him to suspend his studios, but he now intended to resumo them.—Tho Moderator spoko approvingly

of Mr Morrison's abilities, and ii was then rosolvcd that tho application of Mr Morrison should bo forwaruod through tho

Asfombly to tho Church Extension Committeo with a recommendation for tho applicant* appointment as student ovangclist. WiiANiiAUKi.—Tho Rev. it. McKinney wrote resigning lite position as Moderator of VVhangarei session, and intimating hia inability to attend tho Assembly at Wellington. Mr Killon also wrote, stating ho oould "no longer give Hupply at Whaiigaroi, as hia doing no would givo nomo inombors excuse for negleoting to obtain regular supply. -The Key. K. MeKinnoy's resignation was aceopted, and ti;e Uov. D. \V. Runoiman was thorofore appointod in his stead, with a direction to preach tho chargo vacant. Ho was also givon power to arrango with tho Uov. C. Worboys to give supply onSunday next, that goiitloinan having intimated hid willingness to do co. Tho Clerk mentioned that Mr Worhoye hud arranged to givo supply at St. David's lor tho hiet three (Sundays ofFobriiavy. Mh Kibubn's Cask — Mr H. M. Rybtun wroto stating that lio hud boon prevented by prcefluro of etuiiius from nl,lending tho theological examination la>-t year, and intimating his dutiro to continue) his theological studios this year.—lt was agreed to recommend the Adorably to excuse Mr Rybu-rn from tho obligation to pass thia your. Eli.kkslik and Epsom.—Tho Kov. D. J. Steolo roportod thut tho Presbyterians of thoso districts did not foul thomsolvcs abio to support .1 minister, and that at a meeting cjnvenod by him they had recommended tho Presbytery to allow them to arrange for lay supply by Messrs John Jamioeon, James Williams, and W. P. lfuntor, a clorgyman to visit tho district about once a quarter to conduct tho tervico of tho Lord'a Supper.—Or. tho motion of the Kov. R. F. Maeiiicol, seconded by tho J'.cv. T. Norrio, tho report was adopted, and Epsom and Ellorelio woro placed under tho chargo of tho Komuora Kirk Session. MoKTUAUY CIIAPIAIN.-A lctlur wes rocoivod from tho City Council, requesting tho I'reHbytory'c opinion re tin; appointment of a general chnplain for tho cemetery. — Tho Kov. G. 15. Homo baliovcd that tho project had now been abandoned. Bosides, ho did not think that a man could bo secured for the position whom 'ill denominations would accept. —■ Tho matter had been thoroughly discus.-cd by tho Minieters' Association, and it was agreed that neither a man nor a. torvico could bo agrood upon by all parties. Tho non-Episcopaliana might so agrto. -The Kov. D. VV. Kunciruan thought they shou!d pauso beforo throwing colil water on tho scheme. It was fraught with vast benefit. —Tho Rev. G B. Munro opposed tho subject boing ontortained —huppose ho himsolf were appointed, was it likoly tho Episcopalians would permit him to rood a service in thoir portion of tlio cemotory ? It was incrediblo. Tho ministors had agreed at a very full meeting that a sorvico or mnn agreeable to all could not be expected.—Tho Uov. T. Norrio romnrked that in (hat caso tho scheme waa impracticable. — Tho Kov. i). W. Kunciman suggested the ap(.ointment of a deputation to coofor with othor Christian bodice on tho mattor.—The euggottion was accopled, and tin Revs, R. F. Mucnicol, D. YV. Kunciman, and G. B. Monro wore appoiutod to confer with othor bodies on tho mattor, and report to next Presbytery, Mr Macnicol to bo convenor. Assembly Bki'KKsentativjcs.—The Revs. D. J. Steolo and A. Carrick intimated tlioir inability to attend tho Assembly Sittings at Chriftchurch as Auckland representatives, and tho Rev, 11. F. Macnicol also doclined tho honour, likewise (by letter) tho Kov, K. McKinniy, of Mahurangi. Tho following wero then appointed Aeeombly representatives:- Uovs. l\ J. Kiddel, I. \V. Dunn, A. McCallum, and I). \\. Runoiman (clorgy), and Mossrs Arcliibald Stowart, John Angus, Alexander White, Thomas Kichardton, and F. J. Bonnott (cldi r •)• A BtbdbnT's Sekmons -Tho Rev. A, M. McCallum reported eulogistically of a sermon by Mr W. Oomrio (student) on Hosoa chnp. vi and v. 3, and tho Keva. J. Macky and D. J. Stoolo reported as meritorious a sermon by tho samo etudont on 1 Timothy, chap, i, v. 15.-It was agreed to sustain both sormons with commendation, and to forward them to the Collogo Committee KUI.KS ANl> FOKJMS, OF 1 EOCEDCKK. — TIIO Kov. D. VV. Runciman reported unfavourably on tho proposed now book of order. It was very faulty, for instance, with regard to tho definition of members. Ho regarded tho oxiating book as a moro suitable ono

—Tho Key. T, Norrio coincided : details. should bo lillod up from the Victorian book.—Tho Rev. G. B. Monro who pointed out defects in tho now book.—The Kov. J. Macky sp )ko approvingly of tho work ami movod, "That tho Presbytery generally approve of this book cf discip"lino, and leave it lo the wisdom of tha Genoral Assembly to decide whether it shall now be recoived or longor time given for deliberation." Tho Kov. A. Curricle seconded. Aftor remarks from this gentleman, Messrs P. Mackio and J. Angus and tho Rev. K. F. Rlncnicol, tho Key. I). \V. Kunciman moved as an amendment, "That thin Presbytery having tauen into consideration this Book of Orders, are of opinion that fcutlieicut time hus not elapsed for tho members of this Court to examine it thoroughly." Tho Key. 6. B. Monro seconded. Tho Kov, J, Mucky expressed his agreement with tho amendment, and he accordingly withdrew hie motion in favour of it. Mr Runciman's proposition was thon adopted.

Lay Preacher's Credentials, — Mr Thomas Campbell, of Razorback, being about to loavo the bounds, applied for a lay preacher's credentials. Tho Moderator statod that Mr Campboll was a member of the Wesleyan Church, and that his name appeared upon the Wesloyau plan.—Tho Key. D. YV. Kunciman said they had nothing to do with this at all. They frequently employod persona who camo to them from oth t churches.—Mr Campbell explained that he had neither left nor wished to leave the Presbyterian Church ; but, as there did not appear to ba any longer need of hia services by the Presbytery, he-proposed to go ekewheie, where he could continue to serve his Master. He had been expelled from the Church.—Tho Clerk denied this statement, and the Presbytory's certificate was then granted to Mr Campbell. .iPIIIS.BYTERY BXPKNSES.—ThoRtV. D XV. Runciman regretted that domestic trouble bad prevented him from convening the Committee on Presbytery expanses. Ha now wished to resign that couvenorship.

The resignation was received with regret, and the Rev. D. J. Steelo appointed convenor in Mr Rvmciman's Btoad, tho Rev. J. Macky boing associated with Mr Steole. Gaol Serviohs.—As the Gaol services bad been noglected.it was agreed to request tho City Mission Committee to permit Mr McPhorson (Missionary) to give occasional services at tho Gaol.

The Prasbytery then proooeded to diacusß privato business.