OLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Clutha Leader, Volume XVI, Issue 832, 27 June 1890, Page 6

OLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

This presbytery met. on tho 18th inst., when there were present— Rev. James Chisholm (moderator), and Revs. Bannerman, Allan (clerk), Skinner, Inglis, Hall, Dalrymple, Carrie, M'Laren, Scorgie, Taylor, Jolly, and Fairmaid (ministers) ; and Messrs Peter Smith, J. D. Brown, James Roy, James Inglis, and John Turnbull (elders). Messrs James Steven and A. D. Johnston presented commissions from their respective kirk sessions and took their seats in presbytery. Reports of the deputies appointed to visit the congregations of Pukorau, Inch Clutha, Balclutha, Waitahuna, Lawrence, Waihola, Tokomairiro, Oatlins, and Tuapeka West were given in. The following deliverance was agreed to — " That the presbytery having heard the reports of the several deputies appointed to visit the above congregations desires to record its thankfulness to the great Head of tho church for the measure of success reported by the deputies and commends tho work and workers to still greater success in the several charges." The question whether Tuapeka West charge had a right tv send a representative to tho presbytery and synod was i\ » forred to the synod for a deliverance. Mr Bannerman submitted the following overture of which he had given notice and moved its transmission to the synod — " Whereas recent discussions in . our church courts in connection with the Confession of Faith — the' leading subordinate standard of this church — are calculated to convey, and havo in numerous quarters already conveyed, the impression that tho Scriptural warrant of the doctrinal teaching of said Confession is called in question ; and whereas such impressions, if allowed to exist cannot fail to prove injurious in many respects ; it is hereby hunibly overtured by the Presbytery ( f Clutha to the venerable the Synod of Otaga and Southland that it take these premises into its consideration with the view of affirming its recognition of the doctrinal teaching of the Confession as in full accord with tho teaching of Scripturo and its continued adherence to the same as being in snch accord." Mr A. D. Johnston seconded the motion pro forma. Mr Hall moved as an amendment, which was seconded by Mr Allan — " That seeing tho discussions referred to in the overture arose in connection with matters that were brought before tho church courts in proper form, seeing ateo that these matters after very full discussion on all sides were relegated at last mooting of synod to a thoroughly representative committee with instructions to report at next meeting of synod, the presbytery duenis further action in the meantime unnecessary and therefore agrees nob to transmit the overture." A vote having teen taken there voted for the amendment, 13 ; and for the motion, 2. The amendment was declared carried accordingly. Mr Allan gave notice of the following motion on the remit, of synod aneut the mode of electing standing committees — " That the resolution of presbytery be rescinded and tin's one substituted : ' That this presbytery recommends tho election of members of said committees by presbyteries as at present and that one-third the members be continuod tho second year and that conveners be elected for a term of three years.' " The attention of the presbytery having been called to tho fact that the church extension committee wore without necessary funds Mr Johnston moved — " That theso congregations that havo not alroady contributed to the fund be enjoined to make the collection for church extension purposes and that the clerk be instructed to notify tho ministers of tho same." — Carried. An application from the congregation of IColso was read requesting the presbytery to authorise tho purchase of section 5, block 1. , township of Kelso, for a site for church. — The same was agreed to. The treasurer of the presbytery submitted a statement of the funds and intimated that the congi*egational assessments could be reduced, — It was agreed that the assessment for the next six months be not made and a new adjustment was adopted for the future. The remit of synod in reference to tho appointment of an evangelist was taken up and considered, when Mr Chisholm moved, and Mr Jolly seconded — "That clause No. I be adopted for recommendation." Mr Bannerman moved, and which was seconded— " That tho presbytery recommend the synod to appoint an evangelistic committee." A vote having been taken, there voted for the amendment 7j and for the motion 10. Mr Chisholm moved, and Mr Scorgie seconded — " That clause No. 2 be not adopted." — The same was unanimously agreed to. Mr Dalrymple moved — " That the presbytery recommend the synod to consider the advisability of annually relieving from their charges for a time ono or two ministers with suitable gifts for special work throughout the church." — The same was seconded and agreod to. Clause No. 3 was not recommended for adoption. . The presbytery then adjourned to meet on tho third Wednesday of September at half-past 11 o'clock, and the proceedings were closed with prayer.