CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7359, 11 July 1889, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY.

An ordinary bi-monthly meeting of Hμ Christchurch Presbytery was held ing? Paul's schoolroom at 11 a.m. yeaterdav" when there were present the Revs. R. Erw& (Moderator), J. Hill (clerk), A. M. Beam? D. McLennan, H. Irwln, D, Rodger. N* McCallum, R. McGregor, P. R. Monro! Q Webster, J. W. Cree, .T. Elmslie, J* Smellie, P. J. Riddle, H. Adamson, W' Finlayson, and Messrs W. Gaviy. iff Boag, J. Irwiu, A. Orr, D. Henderson, A* Storey, and D. Martin. The Clerk read the copy of a letter of condolence sent to the Rev. R. Tout aad family on the recent bereavement they hid sustained, and it was resolved to record it in the minutes.

The Clerk said he had made application to the Church Extension Committee for %. grant for the Amberley charge, which had Been granted. The Rev. H. Adamson reported on behalf of the Committee appointed to visit St. Andrew's congregation, that they met with the minister and representatives (3 the Session and Deacons' Court, on the 28ttt June. They received very satisfactory answers to all the questions which wen prescribed to be put on such occasions, and had to express the great pleasnreu gave them to and that a close bond of union existed between minister and people, all working harmoniously together for the common good. The spiritual concerns of the congregation were healthy and much good work was being done. No fewer than sixty-nine names had been added to the Communion roll since the present minister came among them. The Sabbath school, Baud of Hope, and literati meetings were being carried out vlgo£ ously. The financial position of the cog. grejration was highly satisfactory; no debt existed on the Church property, and the large sum of over £1100 was raised for all. purposes last year. The Rev. .1. Smellie endorsed the report given oy Mr Adamson. The Rev. A. M. Beattie moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by the Rev. J. Elmslie. Both mover and seconder, and Rev. R. McGregor expressed their gratification at the success that had attended the mini*, trations of the Rev. G. Webster in St» Andrew's. The report was adopted unanimously. The Revs. A. M. Beattle and D. Rodger and Mr W. Boag were appointed a Committee to visit St. Paul's. The resignation of Mr Wallace as assessor of the Methven session was received and accepted. The Rev. A. M. Beattie said Mr "Wai. lace, who waa a student, was now resident in Ashburton, and his services were available to auyone who required them. The Rev. G. B. Monro, convener of the Committee on the State of Religion and Morals, wrote, bringing the .following recommendations under the consideration of the Presbytery :—(l) That a conference of each Presbytery be held at an early date upon Onstate of religion and morals within its bounds. (2) Ihat arrangements be made for a series of evangelistic services Iα connection with each congregation. (3) Aad that a suitable date be fixed for preaching a special sermon updn family worship ana the training of the young. : The Rev. H. Adamson said the statistics of members and adherent* of the Church in Canterbury were unreliable, as it was said that many were reckoned who were not attending any place of worship. The church doors were practically closed to the clv* they most dVired to get at. Too math ~ attention was paid to the rich and sot sufficient to the poor. Several ministers took exception to the latter part of this statement, so far M their own cases were concerned. The Revs. J. Elmslie, H. frwln. H. Adamson, R. McGregor, and Messrs W. Gavin and D. Martin were appointed a sub-Committee to give effect to the suggestions contained in the letter of the convener of the Committee on the state of religion and morals. j The Rev. H. Irwin said that Mr Alfred Cox (for the Church of England) and Mr Broughton (for the Wesleyans) conducted service in the Jubilee Memorial float, ' and he had applied to and received permission from the Charitable Aid Board to conduct service in the Home on behalf of the Presbyterian Church. He now asked if the Presbytery would sanction his so doing. . „ Permission was granted to the Rev. Mr Irwtn to conduct service Iα the Jubilee' Memorial Home; ■ < The Rev. J. Elmslie drew attention to the evangelistic work being doae bj Mr D. Wright in the district. A call from the Devonport Congw gabion, Auckland, to the Rev. J. Hill, «ai Diid on the table by the Rev. R. Erwto, and it was resolved that the Lytteltoo congregation be informed of the aatne. The Clerk read letters regarding the mause property at Springburn which he had written to the Chairman of the Property Trustees at Wellington, and stated chat he had received the answer that the property was not in the hands of the Board. This information he had given to the Moderator of the Presbytery*.who Mα given permission to the congregation Sβ borrow money on the property. The Clerk also read a letter he had sent to the Chairman of the Board intimating that " the Presbytery had received the opinion that the Property Act had only »«*«»• pective aspect—that the Ae6 brotigsi] under the Board only the property held by the Church at the time of the passiog of the Act; and that now congMgaUOM may acquire property, veefc it »n JocM trustees, and hold it in that condition independently of the Board. The CleM also read an answer from the Chairman « the Board to the effect that he was ear* prised when he received the Clerk's lette*but that he had read the Act, and had taken the advice of a competent adviser; taw the Chairman believed that the opintoa retarding "the Act was correct, ana utt* heregarded the opinion showed an attfof* : tunate omission in the Act, as the dppe* site was intended. ', '.': • The Clerk said a Committee coMiSttaff of the Rβve. R. Erwin and G. WebeM* and himself was appointed- to look alto these matters. , i^. The MopraiATOß explained that in DM case of Sprlngbtirn matters had gone w such a length that the Presbyteryj com only give their consent to the Porromfig of the money. The whole thing had fceea The Rev. G. Webster said that tfcj greatest difficulty would be in tbfctmm those congregations who declined to alto* their properties to be put under ww Church Property Board. . p^u, The Moderator said that the rrer bytery gave its sanction to-fcJg-Sr course, and that course was not »{»*£• The Rev. A. M. Beattib said, take made by the Methven-BattgßM* congregation was unintentional; lag couTd not be expected to proceed Wga»*& wheo the legal opinions were » variance. ~. .. -.t-iiw' The Modbbatob said the. rok*SF waa not a legal but an eccleelaatl^aios*^ The Rev. J. Him. said the congrtgwH* could not be blamed. ■ --- % ..«,**, The discussion then doeed, the vm , mittee having the matter in-hand. £ The Moderator said he would UW™ see reports made periodically by BW tors of vacant charges, and id was ag?w» that this should be done. . • /viir''' The Presbytery then went into VW mittee, and on resuming adjournea. ,