PRESBYTERY REPORT.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 103, 30 June 1876, Page 6

PRESBYTERY REPORT.

The following renort of a visit to Catlin's River was to have been given in at the meeting of the Clutha Presbytery on Wednesday, but it was overlooked : —

Rev. Mr M'Ara having arranged torthe supply of Puerua pulpit, and Mr James PateTSon for Port Molyneux, on Sabbath, llth inst., Mr Morris, at present supplying for Mr Bannerman, was ■set free to vi«it the Catlins River district. Mr Morris set out on Thursday, Sth instant, and spent Friday and Saturday -in- visiti«g; the families in the Owake; Fiat and at ;the Big Mill. He was everywhere , warmly . received by the people.; .'A. supply of religious tracts was left by him in 'every house. On the* Sabbath following he had two services, one at ihe Big Mill, and another in the Government schoolhouse on the Owake Flat.. Both services, were well attended. At the Big Mill, the service was held in the hall erected by the employes, capable of seating about one •hundred' people. Captain Andrews and 'his wife led the service of praise, with •the aid of a harmonium, very effectively. The service was very interesting. Mr Mbrris' recommends that a service should be held at the Big Mill as regularly as at the Owake, and he thinks if ■a service could be given once in every two months, or monthly if possible, the people ' would be quite satisfied. We have no doubt the Presbytery will do : all in its power to give supply. But it •is to be hoped that ere long means will be adopted to secure the services of a regular lay preacher, until such time as •a probationer could be located in the district; Mr Morris does not think the district is "ripe for sanctioning yet. Mr Morris returned on Monday, visiting ■several families by the way.