DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Evening Star, Issue 8775, 16 March 1892, Page 2

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

A meeting of the Presbytery of Duneditt was held in the ball of the First Church this day i present—the Rev. Dr Stuart (mode* rator), Dr Watt, Dr Dunlop, W. Will, J. M. Sutherland, A. Cameron, R, R. M. Sutherland, J. Kirkland, J. Gibb, R. J. Porter, J. Gibson Smith, J. M. M'Kerrow, W. Campbell, A. Don, J. Ryley, and A. M. Finlayson (clerk), ministers; Messrs G. Reid, J. M'Kay, J. G. Sawell, J. Paterson, W. Meneians, and D. Thomson, elders. BBV. J. BYLBY'S RESIGNATION.

The Modbbatob intimated that he had carried oat the request of the Presbytery respecting the vacancy at Port Chalmers, ana he bad preached there to a very large congregation. The mission was not at all an agreeable one to himself or to the congregation, and he oould not help displaying a good deal of feeling, He had directed the officiating minister to intimate to the congregation that Mr Ryley bad resigned, and asked him to convene a meeting of the congregation. That meeting was held on the 14th, and he placed before it the matter of Mr Ryley’s resignation. The session clerk read the following resolution, which had been passed by the Kirk Session: —“The Session having learned with regret that the Rev. John Ryley has tendered his resignation to the Presbytery of Dunedin, unanimously resolved to ask the Presbytery of the bounds to recommend the Synod to grant him the position of senior minister of this congregation.” He intimated to the congregation that he had come to ascertain their views regarding the matter, and the following motion was proposed by Mr Mawsop, and seconded by Mr Baird —That this congregation has learned with, regret that their pastor, the Rev. John Ryley, has tendered his resignation to the Presbytery of Dunedin, and finding Mr Ryley has fully made up his mind to adhere to his decision, resolve to ask the Presbytery of Dunedin to forward to the Synod a recommendation to grant him the position of senior minister of the congregation, and the following office-bearers and members be appointed to support this resolution before the Presbytery on Wednesday next Messrs Reid, Meneians, Mawson, and Thomson, elders; Messrs M‘Galium and Conqell, deacons; Messrs Mill, Rossenee, and M'Lauehliu, members." That motion was carried unanimously, apd he then asked if there was any other business, when the fob lowing resolution was proposed by Mr Reid, seconded by Captain M'Callum, and carried unanimously “ Resolved, that the congregation desire to put on record its high esteem of Mr Ryley as a man and as a Christian minister, and its cordial appreciation of the able and faithful sorvioes he has rendered to the obureh during the ten years ol bis pastorate in Port Chalmers.” If he were asked what was the impression be gathered from the meeting, he was prepared to say that the meeting was influential, largely attended, unanimous in the two resolutions that were passed- N°w, he left the matter to the judgment of the Presbytery. Captain Thomson, Messrs Reid, Mawson, Meneians, M'Lauchlin, and Bossence addressed the Presbytery in support of (he request of the congregation, The Bov. W. Will said there was one point on which the deputation had failed to throw light, and that wag as to the peculiar relations of Mr Ryley to the congregation in the future. What did they mean by retaining Mr Ryley as senior minister ? The Modbbatob said it was the position of Emeritus that it was proposed to confer on Mr Ryley. He would have no right to sit in the Session or Deacons' Court. Tho only thing it would secure bin) w&Q his standing in the Presbytery.

The Rev, A. Cameron said if that was all it meant, the request, according to Monorieff, was not necessary. The Rev, J, Ryley said: Mr Moderator, I do not think it neoesaary to say anything more than 1 have said. You are all aware of the circumstances which have led to my resignation. I regret the circumstances very much. I got into the position through a desire to help others. One step often leads to another, and it has been so in my case, I felt it was my duty as a Christian to face my position and to make the mos(i of it in the meantime, ant| ng soon as I oan honorably get out of it it is my intention to return to the work of the church. I still have that work at heart. Between thirty, five and forty years ago I gave myself to the work of Christ, and ever since I entered upon my ministerial duties in this oolony (twenty-eight years ago) I have sought in season and out of season to promote the interests of Christ’s cause. It is exceedingly gratifying to me to know to-day that I am not leaving this work because it has failed in my hands, I still retain the confidence and sympathy qnfl respect of a very large congregation, 1 will not say anything regarding my work. My record is above, and the brethren here—the older members of the Presbytery—who have known me and worked with me during this tong period know what I have done. \do not, therefore, ip spy self-laudation with regard the services I have rendered. I leave my ease entirely with God, and in the hands of the J?resbytery. The Moderator: |s anyone prepared with a motion ?

The Rev. W, Will thought they all felt exceedingly the painful position in which Mr Byley and the Presbytery were placed. He did not know how the members of the Presbytery or the congregation of Port Chalmers felt on th|a point, vyh'fch to him was one of yery great difficulty. My Ryley had so far explained to hiip in a general way what had led him to become involved in his present difficulty, hut he had never explained it tp the Presbytery as to warrant him in at all coming to the conclusion that Mr Ryley was justified in what he had done. The Presbytery on a previous occasion bad expressed great sympathy with Mr Ryley, but sympathy with him in his present very difficult position was a very different thing from implying approval of the means whereby he had* brought himself into that difficult position, and he thought that the Presbytery, which had very serious duties to perform—to maintain the interests and credit of the ministry of the church—would not be by any means prepared, notwithstanding its feeing, to appfoye of those steps \fhigqMr Ryley had taken and which had led to the present difficulty. Mr Ryley was at perfect liberty, if he was able, to help bis friends who might he in difficulties, but he certaiply pot gt liberty to help them in spph a way as to involve himself in the very serious business arrangements into which he had brought himself. The speaker believed Mr Ryley was thoroughly sincere—he always gave him credit for love for the ministry and for the good work thst he had done—bat that he (Mr Ryley) should have given himself up to business, as he had done, had caused throughout the community a very great feeling that was not to his credit or to the credit of the ministry. That being the position, the speaker thought it was Mr By ley's duty either to retire from business or to withdraw for a time from the ministry. The congregation were pleased to strongly reoommeSd’ that Mr Ryley be retained as senior minister of the congregation, bnt he was sorry to say that be was forced to a conclusion quite different from theirs, and he oonld not see how the Presbytery could recommend to the Synod that they shonjd retain Mr Ryley as senior minister. Hp moyed—“ Tne presbytery have listened with much pleasure to the testimony borne by the representatives of the congregation to the ?eal, faithfulness, and success that for tep years have 'characterised Mr Byley’s ministry in Port Chalmers, regret that he should have become so seriously involved in business as to feel required to resign his pastoral charge of Fort Chalmers, accept the resignation, and refer simplicUer to the decision of the Synod the relation in which Mr Ryley shall stand for the fntnre to the ministry of the church.” The Kev. A. M. Finlayson said he had sketched out a resolution somewhat different to that—namely, that the Presbytery should send np' to the Synod the congregation's request, with some approval of its own; but he did not think it advisable to divide the Presbytery on the question, and on the wboje he nelieved it would be better to send up the request simplicUer, so that the matter might be left open in tbe Synod. He, therefore, seconded Mr Will’s motion as being perhaps the better ope to adopt. Pr WATT thought the Presbytery bad a

certain responsibility of its own, and purely, on that ground he would take it on bimieu to move an amendment to the motion of Mf Will—" The Presbytery, having received the communication from the congregation of Port Chalmers concurring in the resignation of Mr Byley, aooept the naignation with regret, but, having regard to Mr By ley'a Tong services to the obnrah and nis strong desire to retain hie connection with the ministry of the ohnroh, and having regard to the wish of the congregation, appoint a small committee to report to next meeting of Presbytery as to the best means of gratifying the desire of Mr Byley and the Port Chalmers congregation consistently with tbe laws of the ohnroh." He Confessed that a case might arise where it would be very difficult to grant the reqnest that was now made to them. If a minister who had succeeded fairly well wished to retire from his pastorate under no compulsion, bat with a desire to advance his worldly interests, be should say that a request of this kind ought never to come before the Presbytery. He had no doubt that Mr Byley had committed an error of judgment; he had Involved himself in this bosiness, which had sucked him in more and more till he found that in order to extricate himself he mnst devote the whole of his time to it { hut fee had assured them that as goo? as be oojuld he would return to the work to which he had given the best years of his life; hut he had known Mr Byley for the last twentyeight years and he thoroughly believed it was from no desire to advance his worldly interests that he bad become involved* The speaker thought that in addition to the error of judgment that had led Mr Byley to embark in the thing at all, be ought to have ooiue aotue tiipe ago to the Presbytery and told them that he bad unfortunately got himself involved in tbe business and that he found that the time be ought to give to bis sacred duties he could not give. Mr Byley should at that time have been aboveboard with the Presbytery, and have told them of his difficulties and of his desire to be retained in the ministry. Still, it was very easy to be wise after the event, and he had no doubt that Mr Byley thought that a short time would pat the thing on a right footing. He (Dr Watt) coaid not forget the past services of Mr Byley, and hehoped younger men would remember that a good deal of the success of the church, especially iu North Otrgo, was due to the long and faithful services of Mr Byley. He could not sponge out the part of Mr Byley because of a single act, wbioh he believed to be the result of ah error of judgment, %ud be would not like to shut the door against Mr Byley being received hack again into tbe church.

Mr Macra? seconded Dr Watt’s amendWat »

Dr Stdabt having vacated the Moderator ’a chair, which the Rev. Jf. M> Sutherland took, eaid he waa sorry he could not agree with Mr Wall’s motion. He thought there ww very much in what Dr Watt had said, that the Presbytery ought to take a responsibility in the matter. Most of them had known Mr Eyley for ip&ny years, and had known his great work. He did not say be agreed with Mr Byley on all points, but he never differed from him in his attachment to (ho evangelical truth. He knew a very great deal of Mr Ryley’e worth, of hU power, and of his consecration to the ministry, and when he thought of all Mr Eyley's missionary services in North Otago he was not to be deterred by a slip so slight—which was one of those things that leant to virtue's side—from recognising them. He bad a supreme respect for generoug, liberal men who used their money to. help others. Mr Eyley had dona noble work. He had slipped Into this error, and he was suffering for it, but from his known abilities be (Dr Stuart) was snre be would do all he could to work himself honorably ont of his diffxully. He urged the Presbytery to adopt a recommendation in terms of tbe request cf the congregation, Dr WATf expressed himself ae willing to accept Dr Stuart’s suggestion. Dr Stuabt then moved the substitution of the following words for the words from "appoint” to the conclusion of Dr Watt’s motion : —“ Recommend the Synod to grant the desire of the congregation that Mr Eyley he retained in tbe ministry of the church, with a seat in the presbytery and Synod.” After further discussion the question was put, when there voted: For Mr Will’s motion 6, for Dr Stuart’s 11.

The Rev, J, Ryley said he had to thank the Presbytery very heartily for the expressions of sympathy, kindness, and comfort which the brethren had uttered. He thanked the Presbytery, too, for the vote which bad just been taken, apd which showed him that he had the confidence and the sympathy of the great hulk of the members ; but after tbs hard and harsh, and, to his mind, qu}ust remarks of Mr Will, who had a perfect right to utter them, he could see that the whole question would come up again in the Synod, and very likely a similar line of conduct would be pursued j and as he did not wish to have his name dragged up iq that way in the Synod, he woqld ask this Presbytery to kindly give him a presbyterial certificate, with any testimony they liked as to his past character and services, god he would retire. The Rev, j. Kirkland thought Mr Ryley had spoken somewhat unadvisedly—(hear, bear)—and he hoped he would withdraw hia remarks and leave the matter as it now was.

The Moderator pointed out to Mr Ryley that he could at any time, after rejection, adopt the course he now proposed. The Rev. J. Rylby said be had thought over the matter, and that was his firm conclusion. Re had thought over Mr Will’s remarks, and he could reply to them, but they were just what he expected. The Rev. A. M, Finlayson also urged Mr Ryley to take time to consider the matter, and remarked that even if the presbyterial certificate were granted it could not intercept the motion that had been parried from going up to the Synod. The said ft was quite competent for Mr Ryley to make the request he had preferred, but he thought that on the whole he (Mr Ryley) should sleep over the matter.—(Hear, hear.) It was resolved that the resignation of Mr Ryley should take effect from the end of March, that Dr Stuart should act as moderator qf the congregation, and that the Rev. J, M. Sutherland should preach the charge vacant.

At the request of the Moderator, Dr Watt led the Presbytery in prayer for a blessing on the congregation, thanking God for the services Mr Ryley had rendered, and praying that in good time he might be restored to the ministry, BIBLE-BEADINO IN SOHOOpa. The Rev. R. R. M. SpTfIEEpANp reported, on behalf of the Eible-in-.Schools Committee, that they had resolved that Dr Stnart should bft afeked to communicate with the representatives of other Protestant denominations in Dunedin with the view to organising a centra) public meeting, and that tb? Presbytery should appoint deputies to visit &e parishes in connection with the matter. The Committee had also agreed upon the following petition j To the Honorable the House o( Representatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled. The petition of the undersigned residents in the district of humbly showeth: „ , That your petitioners, while approving of a national system of education, desire that the prewnt Education Act should be amended go as to allow school onmmitfaww the same liberty in regard to the use of the Slide in the public eohoole of the colony as is given to school boards In England under the Education Aot of 1870, which includes, subject to. local option, Bible-readlog within sobooi hours, with elementary instruction of aq qnsectarian character, under provision o( q time-table and a conscience clause. That the present exclusion of Blble-reading is offensive to the majority of the inhabitants of the Provincial District Of Otago, and, we believe, to a majority of the people of New Seafood. That the Bible is the only authoritative standard of morality acknowledged as such by all denominations of Christians.

That the wants! the knowledge of the Bible leaves (be pupils ignorant of the greatest events that have occurred in the history of the world, and unatle to understand the allusions and the sentiments, phrases, and events recorded in the Bible which pervade a large part of English literature. That the want of Blbie-readlng allows multitudes of the children who pass through the public schools to grow up in Ignorance of (me morality, and tends to produce results disastrous to society at large. Uay it therefore please your honorable House to take the premises Into your consideration, and to bring about such amendment of the Education Act nowln force as may pernfit the dally reading of the Bible in the public schools within school hours, In accordance with the provisions of the Bogllab Education Act of 1870. And your petitioners, as ip duty bound, will ever petition was nnanimoosly adopted, and it was referred to a committee to ar range for deputies,

NOTICE OF ItOTIOK. The Bev. J. Gibson ShitN gave notice of the following motion, In place of one of which he had previously given notice : "That a committee of Presbytery be appointed to investigate the possibility of devising a scheme whereby the several congregations of the ohnroh may 00-operate for tbe better maintenance of their aged and infirm members, and also of the widows and orphans of ohnroh members."