CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13468, 7 July 1909, Page 9

CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY

CULL TO THE REV. W. SPEXCE.

A pro ro nata meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery was held yesterday. Sederunt—-The fey*. \\\ J. Steele (Moderator), C. Murray (clerk), T. Tait, J. Mackengic, W". Sponce, T. D. Mac Donald, D D. Rodger, Dr. Erwin, .Messrs .N*. McC-alluni and l>. B. Bowie (elders,). The business was the consideration of a call from the congregation of West Taieri to the Rev. \V. Silence, of Lincoln. A letter was received from tho Rev. J. Swanston Reid, supporting the call on behalf of the Duncan Presbytery. The Rev. D. l>. Rodgers, while regretting the loss ofMrSpenee, stated that in the interests of West Taieri, and of the Church generally, it would bo expedient that Mr S£*?nee should accept tho call so heartily and unanimously given. Representatives of the Lincoln district were then heard. A resolution of the Lincoln and Tai Tapu congregations was read by Mr Gilmour, agreeing with regret, to loose Mr Spcnco from his charge if ho chose to accent the call. If, however, he elected' to remain, the congregations would give both him and Mrs Spence an even more heart}' welcome than they were accorded on their arrival. Cordial reference was made by Mr Gilmour to Mr Spence's ministry during the past four j-oars, and he said thnt although they would part with Mr Spence with deep regret, they -would not hinder his prospects of promotion. Therefore they gave him a free hand to accept or decline the call as he thought fit. Mr Moir expressed similar sentiments on behalf of the Prebbleton congregation.

Mr Prebble said no single individual would iplace any obstacle in the way of Mr Spence moving on to a higher and greater e&Jhere of activity. Mr Spence had managed the Lincoln charge most admirably, and they were certain that he would do just as good work in his new district.

Mr Wallace said Mr Spence invariably practised what ho preached, and one of the secrets of his great success at Lincoln was his ;power of attracting the young people. Mrs Spence had also ably co-operated in her husband's work.

Mr Spence stated tho reasons which actuated him in deciding that if the call were placed in his hand's he would accept it.

The Rev. J. .Mackenzie moved:— "That the translation Craved' for by the West Taieri congregation was expedient, and that the call be placed in Mr Spence's hands." The mover said Mr Spence deserved the thanks of tho Presbytery for his good' nnd : faithful work in bringing the parish of Lincoln to its present satisfactory condition. The motion was seconded 1 by Dr. Erwin, and carried. In handing the call to Mr Spence, tho Moderator said he most heartily joined in the cx.pTession of regret that Mr Spence was severing his connection with the Presbytery and Lincoln charge. Mr Spence's pastorate at Lincoln expires on July 31st, the Rev. Mr Durward, of Leeston, being appointed Moderator in the vacancy