CHRISTCHITCH PRESBYTERY

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8071, 14 January 1892, Page 6

CHRISTCHITCH PRESBYTERY

An ordinary meeting of the Presbytery of Christchurch was held in St. Paul's school, room, at 10.35 a.m., yesterday, when there were present:—The Revs. Gordon Webster (Moderator), H. Irwin (Clerk), A. M Beattie, P. J. Riddle, A. Blake. R. E rw iT J. Maxwell, W. R. Campbell, W. J. Oow D. D. Rodger, W. Grant, J. M. A. Simpson and Messrs A. Ritchie, J. Boag, W. YoumJ and A. Orr. Tbe Revs. B. J. W,stk O oks and N. McCallum were also present. An apology was received for the absent of the Rev. J. H. Mackenzie and Mr D. Duncan.

The Rev. Gordon Webster, who had filled the office of Moderator for the past four months, was unanimously re-elected Mode* rator for the ensuing year. The Rev. W. Grant,-Moderator"of the Prebbleton-Liucoln congregation, reported that a meeting had buen held at which it was proposed to insert the name of the R ev A. M. Wright, of Palmorston North in the call. He produced the call, which was signed by eixty-uiue members and fort? adherents. *

Messrs Boyd, Thompson, Gilmour, am} Watson appeared in support of the c&ll, said that it was practically a unanimoua one.

The Rev. D. D. Rodger moved, and the Key, A. M. Bbattie seconded—" Xhat a ct»li to the Rev. Mr Wright be sustained by the Presbytery, and forwarded to the VYajj. gtinui Presbytery." The motion was agreed to. The Clerk submitted the roll of ministers in the Presbytery for .Assembly purposes. The Rev. W. R. Campbell reported the result of the visitation of the Commission to the Sefton. congregation on December 21st. There were four churches and one preach* ing station under the charge of the Rev. Mr Tout. There were forfcy-fiva families in connection with the charge 160 persona were ordinary attendants %l public worship, and 55 persons were on the Communion roll. Reference was made to the institutions connected with the Church and to the method of working. The annual income had been :—IBBB, £209 28 3d; 1889 £22110s ; 1890, £219 4e 4d. The stipend promised was £200, and about £192%ras paid. The only dsbt on the church was £100 on Loburn Church. The Commie, sioners said the minister, office-bearere, and people deservo hearty commendation and thanks for the way in which the work of the Church had been carried on, and expressed the opinion that weight should fas given to the unanimous desire of the people that the district should not be divided or re-arranged. They suggested that for the senior class in the Sabbath-echool a trial might be made of the international scheme of lessons.

The Rev. W. J. Gow supported the r®. port, which was, on the motion of the Be?. A. Blake, adopted, but it was understood that the opinions expressed in the report regarding the suggested re-arrangoment ol the district were not endorsed by the Presbytery. The Rev. P. J. Riddlb submitted a satisfactory reportjupon the state of the R&ugi. tata-Methven charge, and there was now good hopes that the difficulties whicto had existed for some time would soon be removed.

The Rev. P. J. Riddle, who had sent in his resignation as Moderator of the charge owing to want of time, was prevailed upon to remain in office till the March meeting oi the Presbytery.

The following were appointed to represent the Presbytery et the forthcoming annual meeting of the Assembly at Auok« land :—The Reva. Dr. Ehnslio, J. Maxwell. A. Blake, H. Inrin, W. J. Gow, and W. S, Campbell, and Messre J. Smart, W. Young, A. Orr, and W. Gavin, eldera.

The Rev. P. J. Riddlk submitted the plaua of a proposed new ohurch at Rak&k to seat 150 people. The greater portion of the money was in hand, and ho expected to have the balance before commencing the building. On the motion of the Rev. A. M. Beattib theplans were approved. The Rev. R. Ehwin stated ha had had a letter from the Roy. Dr. Lamb stating that he wished to be licensed under the New Zealand Church instead of the Free Church of Scotland. He expected Dt. Latnb to arrive in Melbourne early in January. Arrangements should be made by the Vtm bytery to license him on his arrival. It was decided that a special meeting ot the Presbytery be called should Dr. Lamb arrive before the meeting of tho Assembly. The Rev. D. D. Rodger reported UmtMf Banuerman, a student from Otago, we* now supplying Amborley. The Rev. W. Grant reported tho v&j satisfactory results of special evangelistic meetings iv the EUesmere district. The Rev. P. J. Riddle said that the religious movement iv the district was the most general he had ever seen ia the colony. It was chiefly among the youag people, and had resulted, he believed, from the conversion of two young men from Southbridge who had attended the evaagelistic services of Mr Todd in the Youag Men's Christian Association rooms mm little time ago. The Moderator said he had been i» formed that there had recently been a gmt falling off in the patronage of the hotel* ia Southbridge, and he took that ea ft wy tangible evidence of the movement. It w&4 only natural that the religious awakening o£ the people would result in & change el habits. . Iv was resolved, on the motioa of the Rev. A Bj^aok-- ,, That the Presbytery** presses its deep gratitude to God for fch* good work that is going on in the Ellesmere district, and earnestly desires that thW wave of blessing may extend over the wbo!» Presbytery and Church." , The Rev. P. J. Riddle then offered special prayer and the Presbytery »» adjourned.