DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Evening Star, Issue 17319, 6 April 1920, Page 6

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

The monthly meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was held this morning, the Rov. J. C. Jamieson (Moderator) presiding. The private secretary to Sir Francis ■ Bell, Minister of Internal Affairs, intimated that the text of the Ikeshyterv’s proposed address to His Roval Highness the Prince of Wales had been approved.— The dork intimated that the General Assembly would, on behalf of the Church present an address to the Prince of Wales! The question, therefore, arose whether the presbyteries should also present separate addresses. Iho Rev. J. Lymburn moved that the address of Presbytery be pre-sented.-—Rev. A. M. Finlavaon seconded the motion, which was carried. The Rev. A. E. Hunt, secretary of the Congregational Union of New Zealand wrote thanking the Presbytery for their kindly letter of welcome and greetings conveyed by the Rev. G. H. Balfour at i of delegates in connection •with the recent annual meeting of the | union. The wish was e.xoresaed -that the .spiritual union now existing between the Churches would take on a more concrete form. In connection with- the report on homo missions it was resolved to call the attention of the committee in Wellington to that, it had been omittod to Rive credit to the Dunedin Presbytery for £557 for sustontation purposes. The Presbytery then discussed the question of Presbytery representation, which bad been referred to a corajnittee a month The Rev. A. M. Finlayson presented the report, which gave an outline of the various steps taken which resulted in the General Assembly’s resolution. The Clerk moved—“ That the Dunedin i resbytery, while obeying the resolution ■ot the General Assembly in re altering the principle of representation of Sessions in the Presbytery, desire to protest against the resolution becoming operative without first being submitted to presbyteries under the Barrier _ Act.”—The motion by the cleik was withdrawn, and it was agreed to overture the General Assembly, calling attention to the fact that the resolution by the Assembly should have been sent down under the Barrier Act. The Finance Committee’s report was received, and the quinquennial grants to Ravensbourno and North-east Valley sanctioned. . Tho R ev. D.. Dutton tendered his resignation as minister of the Caversham Church. He had been vSars in charge °f the Pastorate, and desired that the resignation fihouW take effect- from the last Sunday in April. The extension of the district, especially the hill portion of the charge, made it impossible for him to do full justice to its needs. He was now 71 years of age, and for 48 years had endeavored to the best of his- ability to discharge his duties. Ordained in 1872, he had served for 53 years in the ministry of the old church of Otago and Southland, and later in the united church. He was deeply thankful to God that he had enabled him to continue his ministry for ■o long, and Loped he would still be able to serve in some capacity.—The Rev. R. Fairmaid intimated that the Caversham congregation had met on March 17. The congregation of Caversham were sincerely sorry that advancing years had compelled i Ir_Dutton to take the step. The congregation had expressed cordial and full'approval of his ministrations. Twice he had served- his country as chaplain of the forces;—first in the Boer War, and later in the recent war. Mr Fairmaid intimated that he had been appointed Moderator in connection with the vacancy.—— Representatives of the Caversham congregation attended and conveyed their wishes in connection with the vacancy to the Presbytery,—Mr T, K. Fidey. M.P.. g a id the delegation was a very representative one. He himself, had appeared before the Presbytery - when Mr Dutton had been originally appointed. Mr Dutton’s ministry had been singularly successful, and bis service with the forces had 'been equally satisfactory. Of that they hud nmplo testimony from the hoys who had returned. The congregation regretted that Mr Dutton’s health had begun to fail, and he felt the increasing difficulty of keeping in touch with the hill portion of the congregation. Mr Dutton was parting I with the congregation with the warmest good-will and kindly affection.—The other members of the delegation endorsed the remarks made by the previous speakers. —The clerk moved—“ Having heard Messrs Sidey, Much ell. Thomson. Henderson. and Hanning, tbcj Pmsbvtery accept the resignation' of the Rev.'D.‘Dutton as irnm the end of April with very sincere regret._ and appoint the Revs. Sutherland, Fairmaid. Bcorcie. and Miller to prepare a suitable minute, *nd submit it to next meeting, and appoint the Rev. R. Fairmaid interim moderator, and direct him to declare the ehureli vacant- mi the first Sabbath of May. Further, that the Presbytery recommend the Assembly to -rant Mr Dutton the. position of minister j emeritus.” In moving the motion the I clerk 'Rev. A. Kilpatrick) said 3D Duti ton was on© of the most brother I ',- men, -and his services were always freely given. - —Hie Rev. A. Grey seconded the motion, which was carried. The f\—. T. C. Jamieson presented the report on the youth of the church.—lt was agreed to commend the Youth Institute to the sympathy and support of the people. A Preshyterial conference v ill be held on May 25. the Youth Commutes to prepare the report, The Rev. G. TJ. Balfour pr-'-ented the annual report ot the John MTRishan College. Tn suite of various thffi mines 310 boys were now attending the school, of whom 60 w<>ro boarders. A real need was being supplied in providing a home, under Christian influence, for '..ivs whose patents reside in the eount-rv. Many improvements bad been made, and all the affairs in connection with the e.-llege were in every way satisfactory. Tim fo! . iny members of the board rrti-'o this ver.r ; —Revs. G. TT. Hah’our. H. H. Barton, Dr Dunlop, and Messrs 'bw and Craig. The Rev. A. Whyte had died, and the Rev. A.*\V. Kimnont hid resigned on account n? bis removal from Di.-r.fdm. It was recommended that, tun R G. IT. Balfour. H. TT. Barton, Dr Dickie, and Messrs Gow, Craig, James Be,;g, nd T. Somerville bo elected to fill the vacan-cies!.—-The report was received and adopted. The Presbytery. in comrrttee, consul ered matters In connection with buildire a church at Outra.m, and it was resolved to approve of the building of the church, a hope being expressed that re-solutyms of tbo congregational mating wuere th-:-minority agreed to fall in with the majority be given effect to as soon as possible.