PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Evening Star, Issue 15137, 19 March 1913, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

SYNOD OF OI'AGO AND SOUTHLAND. ' —Second Session.— The Synod of Otago and Southland resumed their annual meeting at y lnt chmch Hall this morning, at 10 o'clock, the moderator (Rev. R. Fairmaid) presiding over a fair attendance of members. .The Rev. J. M. Simpson (Gore), a new ministerial member, was introduced to the moderator, and cordially welcomed On the motion of the' Rev, J. Ch'isholm. seconded by the Rev. J. Steven (Oamaru) the Rev. J. Kilpatrick, of Green Island Church, was unanimously nominated as moderator of next synod.' —Revised Practice.— Rev. J. Dimming submitted the report of the Committee on Revision of 'The Practice,' and on his motions the revised constitution and general duties of the synod were adopted, with a few amendments. Clause 6 read : " The Svnod is presided over hy a moderator who is always a minister."—Rev. J. Gumming said the Presbytery of Mataura were favorable to the omission of the words "who is always a minister." The Dunedin Presbytery' had considered the samo point, but agreed that these words should remain. He suggested that the clause he left intact. It was "a change that should ha made by overture to the General Assembly. He moved accordingly.—Seconded by Rev. W. Gray Dixon and carried. It was further resolved to send the amended regulations to presbyteries for final adoption. • —Special Grants.— The following resolution, which was adopted last April as an Interim Act. was brought forward for final adoption: 1. Tt shall be lawful for the Svnod to require, in writing, under the hand of the Moderator ;V,r the time being, the Church Boaixl of Property to pay to the Anderson Biy congregation a" special grant of £750" for a new church, in addition to the ordinary grant, under Regulation 4. 2. It shall be lawful for the Synod to require, in writing, under the hand of the Moderator for ihe time being, the Church Board of Property to pay to the Chalmers Church congregation a special grant of £SOO towards the purchase of the building known as Chalmers Church, in addition to the ordinary grant, under Regulation 4. Rev. A. Cameron explained the position as regards the necessity for providing accommodation for the children at the Orphanage. The resolution was adopted. Rev. I. K. M'lntyre gave a comprehensive explanation of the" unfortunate position of Chalmers Church, and made an eloquent appeal on behalf of the congregation, who, he pleaded, ought to be encouraged to go on to better things. If they were able to go on, surely the Synod would wish them God-speed. There was some discussion on the matter. On the motion of the Rev. J. Kilpatrick, seconded by Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland, it was unanimously resolved to make the special grant. It was resolved, on the motion of the Rev. J. Gumming, that priority be given to the payment of the grant. Jubilee Fund.— The following resolution of the Synod at a pro re nata meeting on October' 15 last anent the jubilee and other funds raised a discussion : That the Synod affirm their ownership of the jubilee fund and the capital fund. That the Synod appoint the Presbyterian Church Property Trustees to administer these funds. That the trustees be instructed to use one-third of the capital of the jtibilee fund to make advances at a low rate of interest from capital on loan to congregations against the security of grants of Synod, and the revenue of both funds, for church extension purposes throughout the Dominion. Rev. J. Gumming was about to move the final adoption of the motion, when the Rev. Jame6 Clarke (Oamaru Presbytery) raised a point as to whether or not the motion was ultra vires. He was of the opinion that it was. After further discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Rev. A. Cameron, to postpone consideration, and to appoint a small committee to draw up a resolution, and to submit it later in the day.