CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15772, 13 December 1916, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY.

MONTHLY MEETING

The Christchureh Presbytery met yesterday. The Moderator (Dr. iirwin) presided, and there were prosent—Revs. J. W. Hay ward, A. T. Thompson, J. Patersop,. Gr. G. Howes, ST. S. Reid, J. A. Brown, A. Laisliley, R. H. Blair, J. J. Bates, J. Johnston, D. D. Rodger, W. H. Homes, J. Watt, Geo. Lindsay, J. JEL Thomson, A. D. Kirkland, J. Dickson, N. McCallum, F. Rule, C. Murray (clerk); home missionaries—Messrs Daniel Mclntyrc, J. B. .Bickerstaff, W. J. Harvey, L. McMaster.; elders —Messrs J. Tennent, Hugh Brown, John McLeod, and Dr. T. J<. Withers. It was resolved to forward to Mr Hulston, -Kaituna, the Presbytery's sympathy in connexion with the accidpnt to his daughter. Dr. Erwin, Rev. D. D. Rodger, and Mr McLeod were appointed a commisj si on to visit Lyttelton. The report regarding the Homo Mission at Oxford was read and was received, and the Presbytery expressed its gratification with the satisfactory state of affairs. It was also decided to convey the sympathy of the Presbytery to Mr J. Bain, the home missionary, in his illness. The ltev. D. D. Rodger reported verbally on the subject of tho 'declining- iSunday school attendance. He stated that at an informal meeting of the committee it was found that'things were not so serious as at first thought. In the city schools there had been a large decrease, but in the suburban ones there wis a large increase. After a brief discussion the matter was referred back to the committee. Oil the motion of tho Rev. D. D. Rodger, seconded by Rev. A. T. Thompson. it' was resolved: —' That Presbytery. on the translation of the Rev. £>. E. Hill to the Tapanui charge, takes tins opportunity of' putting on record its appreciation of the earnest and successful work done by liim during the seven years he "was pastor of tho Lincoln congregation; lus able and earnest preaching of the Gospel, and his diligent attention to the pastoral duties of his charge, caused his ministry to be greatly esteemed by liis own people, and his interest in the general work of th Church and willingnss to take his part iu forwarding it, made his services valuable as a presbyter. Wo assure him that our desire and prayer aro that the blessing of God may richly rest on his labours in his new sphere." Rev. J. J. Bates was voted to the chair to allow the Moderator to submit a report respecting the allegations made against the Rev. It. W. Jackson, of iSouthbridge. The report and discussion were taken in committee, and a certain course was decided upon. Messrs Chas. W. Isrt-t (Dunedin) and L. M. Isitt, M.P., wrote acknowledging the Presbytery's condolences in connexion with the death of the Rev. Frank Isitt. The commissions of the following ciders were sustained:—Messrs John McLeod (St. Andrew's), J. Tennent (St. Paul's), and R. J. Corbett (Kaiapoi). The Rev. A. T. Thompson reported on the establishment of services at the I seaside, and stated that services had been started at New Brighton in conjunction with the Methodists \ at'Sumner nothing definite had yet been decided on. Tlio report was adopted. On the motion of the Rev. J. Dickson, it was agreed to make certain repiesentations to the Publications Committee regarding contributions to "The j Outlook."