Ecclesiastical.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 28, 21 January 1875, Page 6

Ecclesiastical.

. — '- — __^_: PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. EXTENSION. The Rev..' Messrs 'Skinner, M.A., and Henry, M.A., were settled early in the year-^ the fornter in "^aitahuna and the latter in' Mataura: The additions to the preaching 1 staff in the course of the year, through the Colonial Committee of the Kree Church, are the Rev. Messrs Sutherland, M.A., Russell, PateTson, and Nichol, catechists. Mr Sutherland was : ordained to the 'ministry in North Taieri some time kgo, on -the hearty invitation of the. ■people. ; : -'■'■'■ ' '■■'■: ; The First Church', after the anxieties of a prolonged yacancyy h'a'S'~at' ! iast received' a minister of ability 1 and-ex-perience. ' :: . ■ '- '- " ' ; -' '- :•' ; Mr 'Jotiii Stephens, of Kaitangata, who, asa student of rendered good servicje ' fn . several "• va6an£ies;i re- : ceive'4 from' his" /Presbytery licenser to prehcti the Gospel; and -isiiow' 'at? tlieir ■ disposal. -'v-^ ''■'''■-'' .)■'■'■.••!-•■■ 1 The wide parish of which Clyde and Alexandra are IW he'ftd-qSiftTters, has &t. last; recpiye^l"TE[e se^viees'of Mr Boyd is^ a missibn'jir|r ; liFwas'^flffo'iigli ttte Reyi : ,C- ! Sr.Rpss^ jhis. mims^e'r, 1 ktid the Presotefyv.' tbU^ 1 "the '^om---raitte^W4r|'le|i V'^ppoiht^MHi :ttf-thiS : parish;; J wh^se the? Hfeyl'te TBstff&p%' tßrt^tffw^feaw' . upofi l tKeTr ! '|aCte l nSofe f itfalnibßt* WshMs t?t\eE 51 ;! 3<>^ prWin/, that $fflttgm&m& are' peiMihHa/fe' seM'hi¥%gors &It-> Frsm £ ire |lroH&3dfnp df Hk&Dmmhev meeting of t\&*^tmt&i^lfftfyf*m*t

lSarn 'that ire has' Wen"* receive^' *»s-,a stfodtmt^bf diyinityv.Wfth a'^iew >ta-the : jmirtistiryV^v^ '^ ''"'*>"■•■ *of:5;L vis: >\ ' V Messrs' 'jplinston and Lindsay stu-. jdents of djivihity, baye ifabptf^das'raiXT' pionarios^ during ithe year/ ;."Wiyi a'Tie'v^ to, the: more systematic* prosecution ""of' the remaining, part jot. his. theological ( studies, Mr J phnston. has- -mean while \ declined official ; employment . ; As : the Presbytery of DimiVdin: decided to ask power from the Synod to take them on trial for . licence bn the completion' of their jstndieV, they; wfll in all -probability ' .be placed on. the, iisVorprpbatipners in the course of 18.75. •'.' - ' „ *'•' ' " ; ■■■ Mr JNichol, catechist, has been emnloyed for several months in this?capa--city in the district of Orepuki. intending jrim there, at the request of the. Southland' Presbytery, the Church Committee agreed to provide, as in the case of Mr JBoyd, a' part of his salary for three months. The district, in order to retain his services, has agreed to contribute at the rate of £25 a quarter. . For a .year Mr Gilbert, late of the Bethel Mission, labored as a missionary : in Lower Waitaki and the rieigborhood. Mr Morris maintained th« preaching of the gospel in Blueskin and Merton, and made the body of settlers in that wide district his debtor. ■" ,The l}ev'. A. Stobo visited Stewart Island, and reported he was cordially received by the settlers. He recommends the appointment of an agent, who might both teach and preach until the population has become more numerous: and centralised, Mr Stobp also visited the Nokomi. It is satisfactory to learn that in this remote district, which is seldom visited by ministers,; meetings for worship' are conducted by a .member of the Episcopalian Church; and also that a Sunday school is taught by the master of the common school. Orepuki was organised by : Messrs Stobo and Ross during a visit they made to it some months ago! '"-* The Duhediri Presbytery, in terms of Syondal instructions, sanctioned Caversham as a regular charge. This parish is so rapidly filling up that the interests of religion require the immediate efforts . of a settled minister: • ■ Cromwell has been sanctioned by the Clutha Presbytery, in accordance with powers given by the Synod," and' that the arrangements for the induction of Mr Drake are completed. The Southland Presbytery has declared that, in justice to' the parish '.of Queenstown and its minister, Mr Ross, the settlementof a fellow laborer cannot bp. effected with too much expedition. With a couple of spiritual workers occasional ministerial visits could be made to such remote outpoats as the Martins' Bay settlement, cfec. The staff nt the disposal of the church committee are — 1. Probationers — The Rev. Messrs A rnot, Davidson, Paterson, : Kussell, and. Stevenson. 2. Catechists — Messrs Boyd, Morris, INichol, and Lindsay. . The following places require supply : 1. Vacant charges — Waihola, Caveiv sham, Clyde and Alexandra, and Lower Waitaki. 2. Stations — 131ueskin and' Merton Waireka and Maer.ewhenua, and Orepuki. ..', The ccmmittee authorised the sum of L2OO to be remitted to the colonial com-, mittee of the Free Church, towards pas- . sage money of ministers, by the outgoing mail.. There is still a balance against the committee which they feel' sure will disappear next year. . , While ,the committee report that there is a considerable sum to the credit of the Church Extension: Fund, with which to begin the operations of the year, tliey remind the congregations that, as there is much work to beundertaken, they will " need r their utmost liberality. ' ". ■ , ■, : SUNDAY SCHOOLS. ; It appears from returns, in answer to queries issued by tlie" committee of . the Presbyterian Synod of Ota"go ; and Sonthlandy that there are this year sixsehbols| 744 scholars, and 76 teachers more than last year. "This .very- considerable ''. iri-' crease arises paitly from an increase in the number of schools; and partly ; frpm. ; the progress of schools previously exist-; ing. '- Looking back -ion the - returns,: :of: previous years, we find a steady* aWd gratifying'ihcfease both^ ih the numberof schools; of. scholars, and of teachers." Fn January, 18?3, : there we^e" 63' schools, 34^71 scholars, • and 374 teachers/ : lii' January, 1.87-4, there were .'7l '■' "scliools, 4202 scholars, and. 411 teachers. Tin; January, lß7s; there' were f 77 -schools, 4822 j scholars', and^4B9; teachers. Thus. it ' appek^s that 1 - dtiring'-the- last two.; ye)ars there ;has. been ah increa'se^of ; l4' Schools, - 134ffi scholars," and .1 1 ; 8 teach-. /ers.:- —»■ =•• . -•_' •• % '•' • .'..';' '"'."' .' "';'•' ilai Dunedin Presbytery there are 28 schools, 246JFscbolacsx and 24:8, ; f eachqrs^ , ■■In thb CSlrittta. Presbytery there- arj3-.250 1 87tf scholars; apfd'Jß9 .teachers. -.In Soutßiantf Presbytery th^ere- 'are "ds^ ••schoo]sj;B4B scholars, 'aftd'^B 1 tk&6hkrd{ and? in ; the, Rresbytery" . of lOamaru,' 'iiittci* schoolsj 77^ scholars, and "6% 't^^jh^rsy'.; j ' K' 8& of the r Schools therejiave ,jbee}a ! Special l service< r for'ithe f young :in},theF j sfhflL i ffe 6fdccasfon%l Or gnarterlyj sermons,? tdnd' ;^eejuent!; * Superintende^ts^a^^ . • ; J-^JO 8 r^2i Bible; cksses^r^tl^r^chiWgen^sftn^;, i aduita^condiicted|byj foinisiers ! and'fg, iu ; feW c^Ss : by «W^rs/ ig^trpiis' import :^o ißiblev/dassil^ l?hisy *«t -the"' nv,niat|ra'"pf Mffi?(i6tiseH&otii OtiieVwise n^^iMy%r£^^^^r^ P^. _

r. : irvrjintx.tfqp ..schools ipgnrt jkat tB&XT" jbave »Sabbntli,sqliQo.l libjcaries containing 11 cess }6 I '* ' pimng* ttie paKyear.a ne\v feature of : work bas , JSji rly~ ,c6me ]i n iii Loti ; ' : viz , forms of ;'* a .ln'ajtjfjrf OlinsttaC^t^tUre.^ ; .jfitfe'V^ "the. m e£n>; puot .. their <j isposaj by'/tlio Ciiurclhes'Av)i,icii ha?e contribute^ :tp ! tti* ■ scheme, ;tney^ have iss^iecl' 'during '"'. thtr' I '' year:24.?2rSfch'eTpes pflesßo'ns, 400 x^pips 'bP notes Joja* lesspns^.Vpp^dO' ! j o£ ! - : , * Good news/ ,^and ..1()55' vpiumfis/'ftjr i;; : Sabbritli-sclipol liVrairfes ./ '.' (i ''"'"'' i>: , r; ; : In | closings! feir .repppt; the com- / xnittee make the., following suggestidris,; " :-yi£' :4-t '„••■•' -•' r."' 5 ./ -V" . : '.';";' : ' 7" ! : '^ '■''■ 1. .That all minister? who have not done ,so hitherto shpuld. ta^e.-care '"thai, frequentperinons or : add ressps; should « be dejivertid to ithe. jf/hildren^ attending-^ t^ei'r Sabbath-schpoisv y.. -„ ..!.... V.r ,•..' ; 2. That each teacher should make it ; a matter of conscience to, Httend i'regu,-;?-. larly, for almostmothi.ng^;is:so cajcinlated.t; to destroy the interest of the .child,:.^.f., the class,* and to ;,disp'erseri and destroy, .the class itself, ; as' rirreg'ularity - ir| at- : , tfl'ndance ;-pn<the part of the teacher. v ',■■.'■ . 3. Tlia't- teachers : ! >be encourag'ed .. to visit ' periodically" thjair scholars Aw v their homes, and especially if< any :one- i is aljsenton a particular Sabbath, .that - the tenchershall visit the' child .iat: its : home {hiring' the' w6efc, Und .ascertain froni its parentsthe-'causier of absence. >: This practice, whefefollowed, i# attended -,i with tlie ihosfhappy: results. .•■-■••" '.•=• ;•.> ". 4. Tliat :I thp : teachers i. meet frequently for the purpose of consukrag- •' about matters' aifec ting 1 the interests of' ' the school, . and - especiallcy for united-' fervent prayer for the Divine ! blessing on ;: their labor's. .'/''■ ' '•'•' ;•::'::. . .; ..,,. , 5. That .they recommend that the Synod appoint a special, collection 1 for ; the purpose of enabling* the ' comndt'fea to bririja;. 011 j;' books sufficient to : supply - books for libraries wli^re theVe ar« non.e^ and to make accessions to ; ex|stiog ; libraries where .wanted. , ; , ' - ; - : '.:".•-- TEMPER ANCE CAUSE. The convener df the committee of the Presbyterian.) Synod . on. , tem|>erance, '„ brought] up- the, following 1 i.rep.ort^T--- --," \ our committee,, in; presenting- their annual report, have tostate that! their ; attitude during* the past yesar. has 'been.. . that of watching 1 . the^-effoct- of the Licensing Acts passed by the; (General. r _[ Assembly: ; .They regret ' tjiiat .tii.e,pßrrr missive clause of the. Act, ? 1873, ps,., struck out of the amended' Act ,tf 1874, ...?« They also regret tba.t that . of.' 18/3 has changed so as.ro aljpw.licens.es to be granted every quarter, instead of once a year, and. that, personal appear-,, ance is'dispensed with in case ofappliea r tion for renewal of licenses,, exceof .when, such applications are opposed..*., ,1,1 ay-'; ing noticed whatyour committee con-/ : sidnr the. chief defects of the Act.s,-.thev.,.. ivpgret'that they aro, unable . to report"'.", a ny . impro vemen t with regard . '. to drunkenness; in. the .province. , .^Theymuch fear. that the material prosperity, with which we are. at present visited!. : doesnot promote sobriety, as the.inciease , in the oonsumptipn of ali r spirits showsV : They, regret to find, from police rqpprts,.. 1 : that, a proportion' of the ;iminigranta" . have' ;gone to swell the number ''i>f\ ■. occasional ;;' and ;habitual dninkarcjs^ .- "Your .committee, have pleasure in, . directing attention of Licensing Counts! f in general, an!d.rin:E|unedin in .particular^ * to reduccf the nu,mber of puWic-rbouseV^ : They would, also ca jl , atten tion io the,' , prai^evvorthy;;, efforts,. of Commissione.ri , Weldon and .his staffs enforce the prprr , : visions ipf: the Licensing,, Ordinances^ - an dv:pu 1 1 a ' stop. .. 1 to, -, sly r grp^, ; selling.; -. : We hbpe,tbi9 pUurch will. /give VtlieJ > weight* of her: mqral ißupport to .jtlips.e, , ; who are endeavoring, , in, ; the .J'nce. -/.of. >• difficulties and^oppps>tipp, to lessen ,t^e> r , temptation tP .d-run^nness..,,!, We.'sre,-;, 1 igjard asian .omen,;;'pf;;gppd tl^e, increase^ iii thenumber jp^Gopd.^empjars .n,^^ .kindred societies; , Th© e&Ttsp^tlfprt^'bpvsucb;<rsocietiesi ,wilJMJb^]p" i,p,pj7;erfully to.form a o pubiicvi option, ! on , tliet., ''■•. qtuestion of te mperance . : = n■. igo^d! ' \ Jesuits may, .be-, expacteiLajoJ, follpvr; ' " J -;That dTlntongV^^^ iriess; ai ejcistiri^ l anib ! n : g 1 --tigi ■ are* ••' gr^A V*'-' -e|vi]s >r npne will y deny^~TJje Qhurch of Ghris^, f hicti tif L totTtiMS^j^Jfyfilit • work' of .' not only c v i ah r^eJi&njg', i • ' bu t to^ wateb oVer a j& adva^c'^'lte.'mbrals/ 6 r f r: ' { the qommumty,' '^htoawake ri $* f> b%> )f I Vesp6nsibilifcJ,'a r tid 'exdrt HerSelf l ih r {h* AkchßT^e; : pf f ; k; ' ' J saeßd' :^ ; endeavbur : 'to; b^eakthe ''csn}ip±iif; vrhicti^ ,so;mpn'yV&^^ ls;erve those #hoVaip ia n dange'r I; of bfe^ J -qo^n^'captM'to; te/ Vfee « -Wn '■■ tfifiJO ; su))f «?ct lypur ' coffiinitt^e, 'would '^dxtoit^ litieiition ;to ! ttie' (fojlbwihe' ! 6pihib t il 6# ) ; thv suhj6pi >y n tW. h emiri^ mmm^' f I Mi-^ri^t 'i&m emWvl^fatempe^ ance woultf'fleyer^k te^^^USMSf^ :i\ie .thoughtful^ tlfef -sefio«s fI Wen»WW ;ginning ir^itli { '^He of the ' t Gospel,^ an : d^SH--thdS&^Wiio=!!went to wtfrshi^fdprotbec redtidn tJba}& .'fiVsKrqW;' sfipuia' refeflrdfibfirfqiiekida 'osa ; iraten^n^aiiiiejas^flife^p tKfe 'erektf&ilwh I tKe^'liavft'/^^Qvlr^bie/ 1 "-, rWe^^^H 73 'm^g^^mo^ ; ancenbe *oDsyejfi4 kg M^!^%^£ Se^eagberi" <Wi4j Mc®}& also. xeeom«ii : mfetf^BW tße^allnist^t preadh aon r idiia pou^^na«ce^t,tb^l*^4p ri^^moei',,: 1 . .'^s.ioij '