THE CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Clutha Leader, 20 September 1878, Page 3

THE CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

. « The Presbytery of Olutha met in the Presbyterian Church here on Wednesday last. There were present — The Rev. D. Borne (Moderator), and Messrs. Bannerman, Chisholm, M'Ara, Waters, Bett, Skinner, Cowie, Connor, and Allan, ministers ; and Messrs. D. M'Niel, James Sommerville, and George Lindsay, elders. Rev. H. Cowie (Lawrence) was elected Moderator for the next six months, and took the chair accordingly. It was agreed to continue the Rev. Mr Drake at Cromwell meanwhile, the Clerk of Presbytery to correspond with Convener of Church Extension Committee anent the same. Mr Waters' motion, "re Standing Committees—viz., "That all Standing Committees be in future composed of members from all the Presbyteries ; that the Synod fix the times when they shall mcct — say, quarterly ; that the place of meeting be in Dunedin ; and that the members of such Committee's be allowed travelling expenses, was then considered. — It was agreed unanimously to adopt the motion. Mr Finlay son's . motion, " That the Standing Committees on the state of religion, on temperance, on Sabbathschools, and on psalmody, be discharged, and that it be an instruction to Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions to consider and report as to the state of religion, on temperance, on Sabbath-schools, and on psalmody year by year — Kirk Sessions to report to Presbyteries not later than the Ist of October each, year ; Presbyteries to prepare a digest of returns from Sessions and transmit the same, together with their own report, to the Synod." — Having been considered, it was agreed unanimously not to adopt the motion. The Presbytery then took up Professor Salmond's overture anent the training of Divinity students. It was proposed by Rev. Mr Bannerman, and agreed to—" That the Presbytery do not approve of the proposals sent down anent theological students ; that the Presbytery recommend that all students for the ministry of this church shall be required to take the Arts Curriculum, fixed by the University, and that the course of theological study shall extend over three years, and be entered upon after the completion of their Arts course. " Rev. Mr Baimerman read an application from the Church Committee at Catlins River requesting the sanction of the Presbytery to the purchase of a site for church and manse. It was agreed to grant the application, and to apprise the Church Treasurer of the same. The Presbytery then proceeded to consider the report of the Commissioners appointed to visit the Popotunoa charge. This matter having been discussed in private, the following motion was unanimously agreed to :— " That the Presbytery adopt the report, approve of the diligence of the Commissioners, and record their thanks to them. In view of the reports, the Presbytery resolve to recommend that Mr Connor resign the charge of Popotunoa, and agree to meet here this day six weeks to receive Mr Connor's answer to said recommendation." This was all the business, and the Presbytery adjourned.