Presbytery of Balclutha.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 97, 16 December 1904, Page 7

Presbytery of Balclutha.

• The usual quarterly meeting of the above was held In the Balclutha Presbyterian Church on December 14th. Present— Revs. Ramsay (moderator), Currie, Dalrymple, Chisholm, Budd, Reid, Howes, Allan, Blair, Fraser, Miller, and Orr (ministers) ; and Messrs M'llattie, R. M'Caw, Dallas, Blaikie, Taylor, Johnson, Tait, Edwards, and Lewis (elders). The report at Ratanui was very encouraging, the Home missionary, Mr Robertson, doing good work. The appointments of Mr Weir to Ahuriri, and Mr M'Lean to Rae's Junction were confirmed. CALL. Rev. J. S. Reid, moderator of the Lawrence Session, reported that a congregational meeting recently held in Lawrence, it was agreed to call the Rev. R. S. Allan to the vacancy caused by the death of Mr Will. The call was largely signed, and the heartiest unanimity prevailed in the congregation. Messrs M 'Hattie and Anderson, representing the Lawrence congregation, spoke of the cordial nature of the proceedings leading up to the call of the congregation's desire for a settlement, and of the general satisfaction it would give if Mr Allan could see his way to accept the call. Messrs Carson, Blackie, Brown, Kelly, and Johnson, from Kaitangata, all spoke highly of the cordial relations that existed between Mr Allan and the Kaitangata congregation, and expressed the earnest hope that Mr Allan would remain with them, as there seemed good work before him in that sphere. Mr Allan then said that he had had .considerable difficulty in arriving at a decision. Things in Kaitangata were very encouraging, and he would feel keenly the severance of the pastoral life. Until an hour before he had not made up his mind what to do ; but after all he had heard, and after careful and prayerful consideration, he expressed his decision to accept the call if it were placed in his hands. The Presbytery having engaged in prayer, it was then agreed to present the call to Mr Allan, who formerly announced his acceptance of it. The induction service was fixed to take place on January I ith, 1905, at 3 p m., in the church, Lawrence; the Rev. J. E. Orr to preach ; the Rev. P. B. Fraser to address the Minister ; the Qev. A. M. Dalrymple to address the congregation, and the Rev. J. S. Reid to induct the Minister. Rev. R. Ram say was appointed moderator of the Kaitangata charge during the vacancy. During the remainder of its sitting the Presbytery disposed of several matters of a routine character, and finally adjourned to meet again in the church, Milton, on the second Wednesdoy in March, 1905. ■ 1