CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 70, 10 March 1914, Page 3

CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

The Presbytery of Clutha met at Balelutlia on Friday of last week, when there were present the Rev. A. Watson (moderator) and Messrs Currie, Ponder, Tylee, Cuttle, Durward, Morton, Webster and McDowall (ministers) and Messrs Barr, Thompson, Aitehison, Edwards, Campbell, McCaw, Clarke and Kilgour (elders). Apologies for absence were received from the Rev. Mr Williams and from Mr P. McSkimming. ]t was agreed, on the motion of Mr Webster, seconded by Mr Ponder, to 'express the Presbytery's sincere sympathy with Mr MeSkimniing and family in the serious illness of Mrs McSkimming.

Mr Morton, interim moderator, laid on the table a call from Waihola to the Rev. Robert McCully, 8.A., of Frankton Junction, aud Mr Kilgour, of Waihola, appeared in support of the call, when it. was moved by Mr Ponder and seconded by Mr Cuttle, anil agreed to, that the Presbytery sustain the call and forward it to the Waikato Presbytery for presentation to Mr MeCullv.

The Rev. Mr Durward reported for the Commission of Presbytery appointed to visit Clutha-Warepa congregation answers to the prescribed questions, and moved as follows:—"The Presbytery, having heard the report of the commission that visited Warepa, desires to record its great satisfaction with the apparent prosperity of that congregation. The Presbytery commends the liberality of the members who have increased their contributions to make up the financial loss caused by the removal of several families. They rejoice that the Presbyterians in the district are so well looked after, as shown by the fact that very few are not in regular church attendance; and they note with pleasure that the congregational agencies all seem to be in a state of thorough efficiency. The activity of the minister is commended, especially his earnest labours amongst the young, as also the diligence of the elders in the Sabbath school work and in the oversight of the congregation, though without districts allotted to them. The Presbytery expresses its sense of the debt it owes to the office-bearers and workers in the Warepa charge, and especially to the minister, for the earnest and self-deny-ing labours, and prays that the blessing of the Great Head of the Church may rest richly on every branch of the work.''—Seconded by Mr Ponder and agreed to. It was agreed that Mr Durward should exchange' with Mr Watson at an early date, and bring the Presbytery's finding before the Clutha-Warepa congregations.

The Rev. Mr Ponder reported for the Commission of Presbytery appointed to visit the Balclutha congregation, giving detailed answers to the questions prescribed, and moved as follows:—"The Presbytery finds that the minister, session and committee of management are together efficiently and harmoniously carrying out their various duties in connection with the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregation; rejoices at the way in which, despite considerable difficulties, tlie work of the church is being maintained and developed; regrets the existence of the hindrances of Sunday pleasure-seeking; commends the desire of the office-bearers to have a hew Sunday school for more efficient work among the young, and urges thein to take early steps to secure this, ahd is gratified at the satisfactory state of affairs, finally, the Presbytery commends the minister and office-bearers to the care of the Great Master and Head of the Church, urging them and all the members of the congregation to be 'steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as they know that their labour is not in vain in the Lord.' " —Seconded by Mr W-ebster and agreed to. It was agreed that Mr Ponder should exchange with Mr Currie at an early date and bring the Presbytery's finding before the Balclutha congregation.

It was agreed that the Commission of Presbytery appointed to visit Lawrence and Waitahuna do so at an early date, and that in connection with this mission Mr Morton take the place of Mr Mijlar. Mr Kilgour took charge of Mr Leslie's notice of motion in re change of date of Presbytery, and moved that in the prospect of changes in the running of the Owaka trains the days of" meeting remain as at present. —Seconded by Mr Tylee and agreed to. Mr Watson, on behali of the committee appointed to prepare a scheme for a Clutha Presbytery lending library, submitted certain rules -for the forking of each a library, and moved tbj&t the £t!jg>7t«7 Moft tbo tobfrna m out*

lined and that the Ministers of Warepa, Balclutha and Stirling be a committee to buy books as funds might permit, and take charge of the library.—Seconded by Mr Ponder and agreed to.

In connection with Mr Watson's motion in re the scarcity of ministers and home missionaries, it was agreed to ask Mr Watson to prepare an overture which the Presbytery might send on to the General Assembly asking it to deal with the whole question. Mr Morton moved the following:— '' That the Presbytery of Clutha desires to express deepest sympathy with I)r and Mrs Bowie and Nurse Wright, and also with the other missionaries in the New Hebrides group, in the disaster caused by volcanic eruption that has totally destroyed the Ambrim Hospital and Mission station. The I'resbvterv prays that Dr Bowie, whose health has been impaired by the severe strain endured by liim, may soon be well and strong- again, and that God in His infinite wisdom may use this calamity for the deepening of interest in the work of evangelising the New Hebrides islands. "—-Seconded by Mr McDowall and agreed to.

The congregational records of Balclutha, Waiwera, Clinton and South Molyueux were examined, and in the main found well and regularly kept. Mr Durward reported on the Presbyterian Church rally held in the various churches within the bounds towards the end of lust vear.

Messrs Currie and Clarke gave in reports in connection with the Milton and Clinton vacancies.

J Mr Crockett submitted plans for a new church at Rae's .Junction at a total fost of £240, when Mr Durward moved that the Presbytery expresses gratification at the progress made at Rae's .Junction, approves of the plans as submitted to the Presbytery, and forwards the application to the Synod for a grant in terms of Regulation 4.—Seconded by Mr McI)owa!l .and agreed to. The clerk reported that the Clutha Presbytery, with Mr Ponder as convener, was the Synod's committee 011 "The State of Religion," and in connection with this Mr i'onder moved that the Presbytery arrange for a conference at. Synod 011 "The. Church's Relation to the Problem of Capital and Labour."—Seconded by Mr Tylee and agreed to. It was agreed 011 the motiou of Mr Durward, seconded by Mr Me'Dowall, to nominate the Rev. A. McDonald, of Otautau, as Synod moderator for next year.

Mr Morton, in the name of the Lovells Plat committee of management, applied xor the usual quinquennial grant of £ls for manse repairs, anil moved, and Mr Durward seconded and it was agreed to, that the Presbytery agrees to the payment of the grant by the Church Board of Property," Otago, in terms of Regulation 8.

It was agreed that a Commission of Presbytery, consisting of Messrs Durward, Ponder, McCaw and the Presbytery elder from Lawrence, be appointed to ordain ■ at - an early date Messrs Crockett and Pate, home missionaries of Beaumont and Tuapeka West respectively, with the rights and privileges that such ordination carries.

It was agreed to receive, as under the care of the Presbytery, Mr P. C. Durward, of Lawrence, and Mr Win. Elliott, of Loveils Flat, students studying for the ministry, and to express the Presbytery's gratification at this addition to the Church's list of students.

It was agreed to appoint a Clutha Presbytery Sabbath Observance Committee, consisting of Mr Cuttle (convener) and the ministers of Waihola and Milton.

It was agreed to remind congregations within the bounds of the need for an outgoing collection for the chaplains' fund. In connection with the Rev. George Miller's translation to Ashburton, Mr Currie moved that the Presbytery places on record its warm appreciation of Mr Miller's worth and work as a minister and a co-Presbyter. By his ability as a preacher and his careful pulpit preparation, by his sympathy and fidelity as a pastor, and very definitely by his excellent work among the young people, he has, for the past fourteen years, well maintained the best traditions of the ministry in the large and important parish of Tokomairiro. As a member of Presbytery he has been most regular in attendance, and always ready to take his full share of the work of the court. Wise in counsel and fearless in the expression of his convictions, his presence in Prosbytery will be greatly missed. As a man Mr Miller, in his modesty and sympathy and approachableness, was greatly beloved by all who know him. The l J res» bytery in parting with Mr and Mfrs Miller would like to make grateful reference to the unfailing hospitality of the latter, and would assure them both of the goodwill of the members, past and present, of this Presbytery.—Seconded by Mr Ponder and agreed to. It was agreed to adjourn to meet at Milton on Wednesday, April 22, at 10 • a.m.