CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1040, 29 June 1894, Page 6

CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

« This presbytery mp.t here on Wednosclay, last week, wh^n there were present — Rev. S. W. Currip, moderator; Messrs Allan, Chisholm, Dalrvmplo, M'Laren, and Fairmaid, ministers ; and Messrs Turnbull, Brown, Kelly, and Ayson, elders. Mr M'Laren was elected moderator for the next six months, and presided. Mr Chisholm read the following minute, which the presbytery adopted : — ' Tho presbytery desires at this, its first meeting after the death of Dr Stuart, to place on record its sense of the great loss which the church has sustained by his death. He occupied for 34 years a foremost place in every branch of the church's life and work. He had an intimate, knowledge of almost every congregation throughout the province, and was ever read}" by sympathy and help to encourage officebearers and members in well-doin^. He took a keen interest in the, spread of Christian ordinances, and for many years in his capacity as convenor of the church extension committee bore the burden of a toilsome and patient endeavor to keep the church abreast of extending settlement in this new land. He took with alacrity his full, share of work in the church courts, and while loyal to the forms of Presbyterianism he was never slow to make ecclesiastical precedent wait on what he deemed the immediate duty of a living church. He made the entire community his debtor by his zealous and successful efforts to bring the- means of higher education within the reach of all classes, and while encouraging with rare industry in so many enterprises much needed,, especially at their beginnings, just such guidance as his practical sagacity and varied experience and christian character enabled him to give, he kept together and fired with a measure of his own enthusiasm the largest and most influential congregation in this Colony, and thereby earned a high degree as a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. The Presbytery desires to thank the Exalted Head of the church for such a gift, and would seek to be moved by such an example to greater zeal and hopefulness in furthering the glorious gospel of the blessed God.' The presbytery appointed committees to prepare minutes in. reference to the the death of A. D. Johnston, Kaihiku, and John Shaw, Finegand, which were afterwards read and approved by

the presbytery as follows : — c The presbytery resolved to place on record its regret at the loss of A. D. Johnston, one of its members, who has always taken a deep and active interest in the work of the church, and who, for many years, has been an active and useful member of this court. Arriving in the Colony in the early years of the province he from the beginning engaged in active Christian work, and was one who helped to lay so good a foundation of the province of Otago. The presbytery would not forget the excellent example set by Mr Johnston as a layman in devoting the power of a vigorous intellect and a well-furnished mind to the consideration of various important theological questions which have been under consideration by the church. The presbytery would also express its sincere sympathy with the bereaved widow and family, and that the clerk furnish an extract minute to them. The presbytery also records the loss which the death of John Shaw, of Finegand, is to the district and church where hf has from its beginning resided. O£ too retiring and modest a disposition to be much in the public, he was a tower of strength in. olden times in the district around him, and a staunch support to his church, where he wns so long an officebearer, first as deacon and afterwards in the eldership. He shone best in his own horne — the hospitality of Finegand was known over the province. He acquired the good degree of the Christian gentleman, full of integrity and .uprightness, and to visit his home was a pleasure in very deed. The various ministers who aat in session with him besb knew his value, and the influence of his retiring living will long remain now he has been taken home. The presbytery further expresses its sincerest sympathy with his widow arid children, and that the clerk furnish them with an extract of said minute. The clerk laid on the table an application from the kirk session of Inch I Olutha, which was read, requesting the presbytery to give its sanction to the I introduction of an instrument of music iin thoir church praise. After full information sought for was given, Mr Allan moved — ' That this presbytery sanctions the introduction of instrumental music in Inch Glut ha church.' — Mr Dalrymple seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Applications from the congregations of Balclutha and Inch Clutha for grants of LSO each towards their respective manses were agreed to in accordance with regulations of synod. Mr Turnbull was added to the Clutha Scholarship committee in room of Mr Johnston, now deceased. An application from the kirk session of Lawrence was laid on the table and read requesting leave to moderate in a call for the filling up of the vacancy in that charge. The presbytery being assured of a substantial unanimity in the congregation agreed to grant leave of moderation, and resolved to meet at Lawrence on Tuesday, 3rd July, for that purpose, Mr Skinnor to preach and preside. The quarterly report of Catlins mission wn.s laid on the table and read. Rev. J. Watson Smith being present made further explanations in reference to that field, and at the request oi the presbytery agreesl to continue to supply that field meantime. The presbytery having taken into consideration the remit of synod re home missionaries, agreed to recommend to the committee of synod the following resolutions : — (1) ' There shall be in the service of the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland fit persons to be called home missionaries. who, having been ordained to the eldership, shall labor in districts within the bounds under the following regulations : (2) ' That the power of appointing missionaries under this scheme shall lie with the synod, applications to be received as missionaries to come up in the same way that applications to be received as ministers of the church come up at present.' (3) • That no missionary shall be employed in one district for more than three years unless the synod, on the motion of the presbytery of the bounds, determine otherwise, and that a missionary may be removed to another district at any time should the presbytery of the bounds get the consent of the church extension committee to the removal.' (4) ' That every home missionary be required to follow a course of study for a period of not less than three years in the following subjects — viz., church history^ apologetics, dogmatics, with special reference to symbols, Christian ethics, and such books of Scripture as shall from time to time be prescribed by the board ; and that, in the case of any of those missionaries who desire to fit themselves for license and ordination as regular ministers, such a course will be prescribed as shall ensure that they shall be efficient, ministers of the gospel, — the missionaries in. both cases to be examined annually by the Examination Board in time for the report of the board to come through the theological committee to the synod.' (5) 'That after a home missionary has passed his examinations in the prescribed theological course to the satisfaction of the board, h( will be entitled to dispense the ordinance of baptism, and will also be entitled to obtaiin authority to celebrate, marriages, and he will also be entitled, subject (jo actuarial advice, to

be placed on the aged and infirm ministers' fund and widows' and orphans' fund on the same conditions as ministers of the church.' Tho presbytery then adjourned to meet at Lawrence on Tuesday, 3rd day of July, at a convenient hour, and the proceedings closed with prayer.