AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3891, 10 February 1870, Page 4

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

The monthly sederunt of the Auckland Presbytery was held yesterday at ' St. Andrew's Church, at 11 o'clock a.m. The following members of the Presbytery were present : — 'Clergy : > Revs. It. F. Macnicol, moderator* D. Bruoe, clerk pro tern. ; T. Nbrrie, J.,' Wallace, r «T# 'Macky, Q. Brown. Elder : W. Grahame. The< Moderator, Mr. Macnicol, opened the sederunt by reading the 25th chapter of Isaiah, and offering up a prayer. The Rev. D. Bruce, clerk pro tern, to the Presbytery, read the minutes of the previous sederunt.

ABSENCE 07 MEMBEKS. The Clerk said he had written, aa instructed, to i all the members 'of the Synod who were. absent from last meeting, and had received a reply from the Rev. Mr. McKinney, who had requested thathie letter should be read. Mr. • McKinney stated that he could not attend regularly owing to the number of stations at which he had to conduct service, and attendance at the Presbytery would necessitate the neglect of several Sabbath services. He would, however, endeavour to attend the next quarterly meeting, and would at all times fulfil his dutie3 to the Presbytery as far aa lay in hia power. — With reference to the absence of Mr. Hill, Mr. Mackay said he had seen that gentleman, who had excused liimself from attendance at the Presbytery owing to his having to attend an important meeting in connection with the Thames Hospital. — The minutes were confirmed.

COMMISSIONS. A commission from St. James, Church appointing Mr. Macky Presbytery elder for the current year, was read.

EEPOBTS. The Clerksaid reports wore to be presented from the Home Mission Committee, Committee of Day-schools and Sunday-schools, and there was also to have been a report upon the reconstruction of committees — Mr. Norrie said that, owing to his absence at the South, he had been unable to prepare a report on day-schools. He hoped, however, to be able to report next quarterly meeting. —Mr. Macky said, with regard to the report on Sunday-schools, Mr. Hill was the convener of the committee, but since he had left Auckland there had been no report sent in. — At this stage of the proceedings, the Rev. J. Campbell, of Canterbury, entered, and was welcomed by the Moderator, on behalf of the Presbytery. — Mr. Norrie said, as the tendency was to exclude religious instruction from the day-schools, it was desirable that periodical leports should be sent in, so as to afford an indication of the state of the Sabbath-schools. — Mr. Macky suggested that, owing to Mr. Hill's absence at the Thames; a new convener should be appointed. — The Clerk said the object would probably be gained by writing to the conveners of the several committees respecting the reconstruction of committees. He might mention that all amounts collected for the purpose of the New Hebrides Mission, either for maintenance of the Mission or the ' Daypring,' must be sent in forthwith, or they would be too late.

C»LL FROM WHANGAREI. The Court resumed the consideration of this question. — Mr. Wallace said it appeared that from the action at the last sedernnt he was precluded from pleading, as the Court had decided to give judgment at this serlerunt. — The minutes of the former sederunfc respecting this matter were read by the Cleric to the effect that the Presbytery had postponed its decision until February 9th. — The Moderator was of opinion that Mr. Wallace was correct in his interpretation of the minute. — It was suggested that Mr. Wallace should give an opinion upon the matter of the call. Accordingly he stated that he had been placed at the North Shore without any call from the people there, but by the Presbytery. The people there had gathered round him and had done their duty to the best of their ability. He did not, therefore, like to decide the question for himself, because if he were to decide to leave the district it would bear the appearance of ingratitude. He had therefore wished that the Presbytery should decide the matter as acting for the Home Mission Committee, He could not disguise the fact that the wish of the Presbytery was that he should leave his present district ; and therefore, though he did not acquiese in the decision without reluctance, he felt that he could not longer refuse. As for the districts of the Whau and Whangarei, he thought their claims were nearly equal, though as the former district had been the first to call upon him he thought it had a prior claim ; and, if left to hi 3 own choice, he would go to Whangarei. However, he was prepared to leave the whole matter to the Presbytery, and to go wherever it might desire. He hoped, however, that ere long the Whau would be provided with a minister in every way suited to the wants of the district. — Mr, Macky believed that the reasons stated by Mr, Wallace were perfectly satisfactory, and he thought that they met with the entire approval of the Presbytery. He moved, "That the pastoral tie between the Rev. John Wallace and the charge at tha North Shore be now dissolved; that the requisite steps be taken to translate the Rev. J. Wallace into the charge at Whangarei ; that the Court instruct the Rev, 3. Wallace to remain at his present charge until the time of his induction into the new charge j and that the Clerk be instructed to communicate this decision to the parties interested." — Mr. G. Brown seconded the motion, He had taken a deep interest in the Whau district, having himself been its first pastor. He thought however, in the interests of the Church, that Whangarei was the more important charge, and he entirely approved of the decision which Mr. Wallace had come to, — Mr. Nome concurred in the decision. He hailed this call as one of the evidences of the progress of self-supporting religion in the out-districts. — The motion was carried unanimously, and Mr. Bruce, on behalf of Whangarei, acquiesced in the decision. — Mr. Brown moved that the Moderator be appointed to declare the North. Shore charge vacant, and that Mr. Bruce be appointed to induct the Rev. J. Wallace. — Mr. Bruce said the Rev. Mr. Sutor was on his way from Australia, and that he had mentioned the names of two or three others who were coming here, and who would no doubt be a de&irable acquisition to many of the districts.

REPORT OF COLLEGE COMMITTEE. The Court resumed consideration of this matter. Mr. Macky read the former report on the subject, also a report containing a curriculum of study for collegiates, for a period of six years. — Mr. Brown suggested that the examination in classics should be in writing. — Mr. Macky remarked that the committee had deemed it inadvisable that students should be made a charge upon the Presbytery until they had passed the preliminary examination. -~A discussion took place with reference to the mode of examination. It was suggested that so many members of the Presbytery as could be got together should take part in the examinations, each member undertaking a particular aubjeot. — Mr. Brace suggested that there should be a committee to conduct the examination. Ha did not think that it would be convenient to many members of the Presbytery to attend at the examination. — Mr. Wallace coincided in the views expressed by Mr. Bruce. He j thought power ought to be given to the committee to call in the aid of other members. — » Mr. Brown suggested that the decision on this important matter should be deferred, i the report, meantime, being allowed to remain on the table. — The report was finally adopted, the curriculum and course of training generally approved, and the decision deferred until next meeting as euggested.

MEMORIAL. A memorial was read from certain officebearers, members, and adherents of the Presbyterian Church residing in the district of Kamarama, Pokeno, Queen's Redoubt, Tuakau, West Pukekohe, and Maketu, requesting that John Charles Eccles should be appointed to the charge of those districts, and that he should be ordained to the Church for that purpose. To the memorial there were appended 127 signatures. — Mr. Cricket was heard in support of the mem rial. He said the only difficulty was the proper maintenance. of the minister, but after iaquiry it was thought that » sum of £80 would certainly be raised.— Mr. Brown moved that the memorial be ordered to lie on the table until,

' -"»fiting of the Presbytery.—Mr. Norrie nexfc*^ -Hon. He pointed out that | seconded the a*... - memorial were those , two of the names in the »-., ''"'-eland. It ,'of .wardens in the Church of jsu. to -^ider would 1 be for the Presbytery to co»»^ t whether or not the memorialists should have intimated to the minister in charge of the district, of which the places named form an integral portion, their intention to apply for a disjunction. —Mr. Cricket replied. lie admitted that the course adopted was irregular, but it was thought to be the easiest. —Mr. Bruce did not think there had been *n intention to show want of courtesy to the minister at present in charge iff the district, because I the memorialists must have been aware that the Presbytery would consult Mr. Norrie before coming to any decision upon the sub- | ject. —'Hie Presbytery agreed to consider the I memorial at next meeting.

BECOKDS. Mr. Bruce brought up the records of St. Andrew's, Mr. Maoky those of Otahuhu, Tamaki, and Howick; and after the transaction of some other business the Presbytery adjourned.