PRESBYTERY OF CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume XXV, Issue 3279, 4 March 1876, Page 2

PRESBYTERY OF CHRISTCHURCH.

The Presbytery of Ohristchurch met in 8t Andrew's schoolroom, Chmtchurcb, adhnno effeotitm, and for ordinary business, and was opened with devotional exercises. Sederunt —The Revs William Douglas (moderator), Oree, Eraser, McGowan, McGregor (oleri), and Mr Johnston, elder. Minutes of last meeting were read, cor« tected, and confirmed. In re the Rev W. H. Homer's application to be released from his charge, the Bey W, McGregor reported that he had preached Bfid presided at congregational meeting as requested, and that the resolution passed by the congregation wae that the Rev V?, H. Homer be requested to take leave of absence for three or four months, and provide a substitute, and that Messrs Peacock, Sutherland, and Kennedy were nominated as commie* si oners to Presbytery, and were duJy cited to appear for the interests of the congregation at this meeting, Mr McGowan moved, and Mr McGregor seconded—" That the Commissioners be heard." Messrs Sutherland and Kennedy appeared at the bar af the Presbytery, and stated the resolution of the congregation, the good feeling that. existed towards their pastor, and that they would bo sorry "to part with him. The Bey W. H. Homer replied that be had no hope of resuming the work of the congregation after three months, that he required an indefinite leave of absence, and that he wished to ba freed from his responsibility, as the increasing congregation required immediate psstonl care. Mr FraseT moved, and Mr McGow»Q seconded, and all the brethren concurred— " The Presbytery having heard the deputation from Mr Homer's congregation, and also Mr Homer himself, resolve that, deeply sympathising with Mr Homer in the affliction in hie family, the; will lend all needfui assistance in supplying his pulpit for a period of three months, and grant him leave of absence for that time." Mr Homer said he would consider the offer of the Presbytery; and reply at next meeting, on the second Thursday in April. Mr Fraeer stated that he received yesterday a telegram from Waoganui, intimating that Mr Elmslie had accepted the call to 8t Peal's, ChrietcLurcb. The Bey Mr McGowan intimated that he deeply regretted that Bβ had been unable to proceed as commissioner from Presbytery to Wanganni. it was re« solved that the induction of the Be? IoU Elmelie to the charge of St Paul's, Christchurch, take place on the first Thursday of May at 2 p.m., when the Rev J. Wileoa will preach, the Bey Charles Fraser preside and induct, the Bey J. W. Cree address tbe minister, the Key W. McGregor address tbe people, and the Bey W. Douglas expound tie Presbyterian principles. Commission in behalf of Mr Johnston, Rangiora, as representative elder of Kaispo* and Bangiora to Presbytery and Synod was laid on the table and sustained. The clerk read extract of letter from Mr Campbell, Waiar, in regiit of church byGeo. Bntherford, Bsq, to tbe people of Waian. On the motion of Mr Fraeer, it was upani' j mously resolved—" That the Presbytery hw \ ing learned that George Bntherford, Esq. « Leslie Hflle had conveyed an acre o£ lead » the congregation afc Waiau, and built thereon at his own expense a church capable of containing eeveoty persons, record the fl'g" Honse of the Christian liberality of that gf 1 tternan oo this and Other occasions, and vBtroct the clerk to forward a copy..qltflW resolution to him." •The deputies of Presbytery to Akaroa were asked for their report. The Bey W. MeGrejf reported that he was well pleased with tnfl prosperous condition of Church affairs in Akaroa, and addressed the congregation oa " Home Religion." Mr Johnston, elder, reported that the work was going on effectually : both in the Church and Sabbath school, ana l besides addressing the congregational meet* ; ing, he addressed the Sabbath school on Wβ s following Sabbat , :, MrMcGowan moved— i "That he was much gratified with tbe re- j port, and that it bs received." Agreed to. . The "Rev W. McGregor and Mr Johnston | agreed to visit Pigeon Bay as requested. | The Convener ou Leeston title deeds re- » ported that since last meeting of Presbytery a he went to Leeston, but was unable to ao . anything on the occasion, and promised to , have tho matter settled by next meeting. j Mr Homer applied' to the Presbytery so j take into consideration the necessity for cc additional labourer in the Leithfield aoa northern district.. It was resolved to doeo» next meeting, and the clerk was instrnctefl to communicate this resolution to the LeU»' Qeld financial committee,

Under the Synodical Act of Preebyterial Visitation, Mr Cree requested deputies to be appointed to visit Leeeton in April. The Beys Fraser and McGowanand Mr Johnston, elder, consented to go. In re Aflhburton title deeds. Mr Fraser stated that the documents had been in the hands of the Asbburton committee's solicitor for the last eight monthp, with instructions to execute the conveyance to trustees, and that he had visited the solicitor's office eince last meeting of Presbytery with a member of the Aehburton committee, who had expressed his thorough satisfaction with the arrangements made. It was moved by Mr Fraser, and seconded by Mr Cree—" That the Presbytery recommend that the names of Messrs Robert Wilkin and John Anderson be added to tho list of the Aehburton trustees " Agreed to. The clerk was instructed to write Mr Burnett, and ad\iie him toheeten their committee's solicitor to execute the deeds The meeting was closed with the Benediction.