PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DELEGATES.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7345, 25 June 1889, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DELEGATES.

It is probable that the Rev. Dr. McGregor, of St. Cuthbert's, Edinburgh, one of the Presbyterian Church delegates to Australia, will deliver a lecture in Christehurch during the current week, due notice of which will be given. The following particulars regarding the Rev. gentleman are taken from an Auckland paper:—Dr. McGregor is a divine of some fifty-five years of age, slightly under medium stature and build, but with features strongly markedbydetermination, energy and intellectual force. He is wii hat geniaf, and an excellent conversationalist. Dr. McGregor is a widower and childless, having had the misfortune to lose his estimable partner in life, and surviving the whole of his children. He was born in the ancient village of Scone, where the Kings of Scotland were wont to be crowned, and whence was taken by Edward I. the black stone of Scone, which is now in Westminster, and forms the seat of the royal throne on which the monarchs of England are crowned. He was educated at the University of St. Andrew's, which has produced so many famous men, and was ordained at the age of twenty-three as minister of the High Church of Paisley. From thence he entered the charge of Monimail, in the county of Fife. He went from that charge to the Tron Church, Glasgow, and subsequently to the Troa Church, Edinburgh, thus enjoying the distinction of having occupied the only two churches bearing that name. Thence he went to his present charge of St. Cuthbert's, the old mother Church of Edinburgh, known in ancienttimes as "St. Cuthbert's under the rock." The present structure is about 130 years old. It is believed that Divine worship has been continued conscientiously on this sacred spot longer than in any other part of Scotland—in all probability for at least 1000 years. During the past year Dr. McGregor has raiseabout £11,000 for the purpose of restoring the old structure, and making it somewhat worthy of the site, which on all hands is regarded as the finest site in one of the finest cities in the world. It may be stated that St. Cuthbert's contains 3000 persons in actual communion—the largest single church membership in Scotland. Dr. McGregor is Chaplain to the Royal Scottish Academy, and one of Her Majesty's Chaplains for Scotland. Dr. McGregor brought letters of introduction from the Marquis of Lome, Earl of Aberdeen, and Lord Rosebery to his Excellency the Governor, Lord Onslow. During the doctor's stay in Wellington he had an interview with the Premier Sir Harry Atkinson. He travelled overland to Taranaki, and was greatly delighted with the country, and was also charmed with Auckland and its neighborhood. He also visited the Lake district.