PRESBYTERY OF CLUTHA..

Clutha Leader, Volume XII, Issue 597, 25 December 1885, Page 6

PRESBYTERY OF CLUTHA..

(Unavoidably held over from last issue.)

This Presbytery met in the Church hereon Wednesday last week. There: were present — Rev. J. U. Spence (Moderator), Messrs Allan (Clerk), Skinner, Hall;, Currie, Fraser, M'Laren, Dalrympla and Inglis and Messrs S_*_d^a_ds and Anderson (elders)-.

The minutes, of -six- former meetings were read and approved. Commissions were read] from the Kirk Sessions of Tokomairiro, appointing Mr Donald M'Donald Presbytery and Synod elder ; from Clutha, appointing. Mr James So.nerville Presbytery and Synod elder * from Balclutha, appointing Mr John.Turnbull Presbytery elder. — Sustained.

Rev. George Hall was elected Moderator for next six months.

Mr Allan reported that Mr Chisholm and he had attend.ee! . the meeting of the congregation at Tapanui, as appointed by the Presbytery, anent the resignation of Rev. Andrew Bett. The congregation was very much divided about agreeing, to the resignation. The Commissioners accepted the resignation of Mr Bett, and ii_timated the samo to the congregation, and parties acquiesced. Mr Spence was appointed Moderator of Tapanu-j Kirk Session during the vacancy,, and preached there, and declared the charge vacant.

A deputation from- the Tapanui congregation was present, and it was agreed that an application from that congregation for leave to moderate "in a call be taken up aathe firsh buainess. — Mr Spence, in name of the congregation of Tapanui, applied for leave, to moderato in a call. The deputation was heard in support of it, stating that there was substantial unanimity to do so>-=_,t was moved by Mr M'Laren, and seconded by Mr Fraser, and agreed to— "That previous to granting the application, _n_n\ediate steps be taken to -meet with the congregations and ascertain their views as ' to the re-division of the district." —^Messrs Skinner, Hall, and Dalrymple were appointed to visit Tapanui with Mr Spence and to report.

The following were appointed taexamine congregational records — Messrs. Eraser, Hall; Spence, Allan, Dalrymple, Inglis., Sandilands, Anderson,, and M'Donald.

The following trials which had been prescribed to Messrs Thomas Smaill and James Johns-ton for license to preach the gospel were heard .-;— popular sermon,. John vii.'l 7 ; popular lecture, Matthew iii. 13-17 and Luke vii. l-9< ;• homily, the apologetic value of the argument from prophecy ; Greek exegesis, Hebrews, ii. 5V9 and Luke ix. 51-6 ;■ Hebrew, Psalm i to vi ;• Greek, Epistle to the. Hebrews ; theology, sotereology ; church history, reformation in Scotland. The trials having been heard, and they having been examined upon the subjects prescribed, it was resolved, tliat upon a conjunct view of their attainments, to sustain these v*-ith approbation and to license them. The Moderator put the questions appointed by •the church, and they having returned satisfactory answers to the same, he licensed them to preach the gospel, addressed them, and engaged in prayer.

An application from Clutha for a grant of L 5.0 towards repairs of manse was authorised.

An application from Catlins River for authority to purchase section ft, block VIII, for a site for church with addition to the glebe was granted.

Consideration of plans for new church at Lawrence, with application for grant, and also one from Catlins for grant, were adjourned to next meeting of Presbytery.

The clerk was authorised to communi--cate with Rev. Mr Finlayson anent appointment to Pukerau and Otaria district.

The Presbytery adjourned to meet at Balclutha* on Wednesdays the .3oth. Dec, at half-past eleven o'clock. The proceedings were closed with the benediction.