DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Evening Star, Issue 19349, 8 September 1926, Page 9

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

BORTNLY EEETISS The monthly meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was held last evening, tho Moderator (the Rev. D. M‘Oosh) presiding. CALL TO REV. J. J. CAIRNEY. The call from Ravensbonrne to Dio Rev. J. J. Caimey, of Waikonaiu, was considered. Mr M'Kinmm said that the reasons for tho call had been put be I ore tho Presbytery some time ago. lie would like to emphasise that the can had been unanimous, and a fine feeling existed regarding it. Speaking for the St. Leonards end , tho speaker said that they looked forward with pleasure to Die arrival of the Rev. Mr Calrney. Mr Campbell said that the Ravensbourne end of the charge was unanimous, and was looking forward to the induction of Mr Cairncy. Everyone seemed to be enthusiastic about the proposal. . . Mr iVFAulaj said that Waikouaiti did not want to lose Mr Cairncy, who had been with them tor twenty-five years. There had only been two ministers in the Waikouaiti charge. During the time Mr Cairncy had been with them he had been extremely satisfactory, and his sermons had been of a high order. Along with Mrs Cairncy he had carried out his visitations faithfully. They had ft fair claim on Mr and Mrs Cairney, but they had left tho final decision to them. Mr Leo said there had always been the most harmonious relations between their minister and the session. Ho had sat under many ministers, but ho could say that none had appealed to him more than Mr Cairney. Mr Cairney. if he left, would church in a good financial position. Tho church that got Mr and Mrs Cairney would really have two ministers, the sqioaker paying a tribute to the work of Mrs Cairney. 'Hie Rev. Mr Cairney said that fie felt lie should accept the call. The Rev J. Kilpatrick moved that the call be placed in Mr Gairney's hands. Ho had indicated his own mind in Die matter.

The motion was carried. On the motion of Die Rev. Mr Kilpatrick tho induction was fixed for October 14, at 7.30 p.m. The Row JWilson was appointed Interim Moderator of Waikouaiti. PRESBYTERIAL VISITATION, 'llic Itev. W. W. MacArthur reported on the Presbyterial visitation to tho St. Andrew’s congregation, tho following deliverance being made:—- “ That the Presbytery observes with satisfaction Die evident concord that cfiaractensqs the wdrk in this church, and the harmonious spirit with which minister, office-bearers, and helixirs all work together for the extension of Christ’s kingdom.” Reference was also made to the work in connection with the young people. A feature worthy of particular note wan that ot. Andrew’s Church supported tliree _ foreign missionaries. “In conclusion, the deliverance added, “the Ircshytery feels assured that the work of St. Andrew’s Church is carried out witn commendable zeal and ability.” YOUTH WORK. The Per. A. C. W. Standage, convener ol tho Presbyterian Youth Committee, reported that twelve schools and 163 scholars hud token their examinations. The committee recommended that the request of the Otago Council of Sunday' Schools Unions for permission to approach individual congregations bo grouted. Incy b«iu practically official representation on the council at the present time. In the past the funds for the wont had been obtained through private donations, but now it was asked t.iat the council should approach the individual congregations. The Rev. H. Maclean said he was not opposed to the School of Religions Education, but it would bo a very dangerous thing to allow a body outside the Presbytery to approach their congregations. It was just the Dun end of tho wedre, and there would lie increasing demands on the congregations in Dio ‘ future if the proposal wore Mr Kilpatrick said thi,t should thov admit Mr Standage’s motion they 'would bo accepting a dangerous principle. He moved that the work of tho school ho commended to the liberality of their people. Mr W. Gow e-ccondcd the amendment. ~ Mr J Farffiifiarson said Dio question was'whether the work was any use or nofc. Technically the Presbytery did not control the school, but he pointed out that the Presbytery had three representatives on the council. The churcii would have to put hand to the vouth work in the future. Fifty-nine per cent, of the students were 1 reshyterians. Ho did not think there was any overlapping in. thoir work find tbe schools. , • , The Rev. FI. H. Barton su'd they could look forward to the day when the School-of Religions Education would be one of the most important institutions in the dominion. The amendment was earned by a largo majority. CHURCH EXTENSION.

The report of the Church Extension Committee was submitted by tho Rev. Mr Kilpatrick. The following grants were recommended : -—■ Brighton £3oj Hindon £3O, Opoho £4O, Pnrakanm £SO, Sawyers Bay £3O, Gladstone £SO, Waipori £2O, Ravensbonrne £l-0, Kensington £65 and £52 house allowance. The report was adopted. MEMORIAL MINUTES.

A memorial minute to tho late Rev. G. M‘Donald was presented by the Rev. Dr Camming, and one to the memory of the late Rev. A. W. Kinmont by the Rev. Dr Morrington. FINANCE COMMITTEE.

Mr W. Gow, who submitted F-uO Finance Committee’s report, said that tho only matter for consideration was the request that had been made for extensions to tho Musselburgh Church. The committee had approved of the proposal. Tho motion was carried.

Approval was given to alterations being made to the St. Clair manse. The matter of tho mortgage was referred to the Finance Commutes with presbyterial powers, P.S.S.A. The adoption of-tho annual report of the P.S.S.A. Committee (previously publisher!) was moved by Mr W. li. Adams. Tho mover referred to the fine spirit that existed in the orphanages, adding that things had never been better. Mr P. L. Clark, their secretary, deserved to be congratulated on his work. It coat them £lO a day to carry on, and ho would like to see every member of a congregation given an opportunity of helping the fund. Mr Duncan Wright seconded. Tho Itev. H. Maclean said that it seemed a pity that Dio Presbyterian Church was not doing anything for tho derelicts of the city, the speaker referring to tho work that had been done recently by Die Salvation Army and tho Anglican Church. Mr Adams said that the committee was doing everything it could with the funds available.

The ijlev. Jladcan said that the church onght to be doing something. He moyed that the P.S.S.A.’s attention be drawn to the necessity of joining in such work. The Rev. Dr Merrington said that ho was sure Diat they all recognised

the need for such 'work as was suggested by Mr Maclean. The motion was carried. GENERAL. Mr Fred Smith, factor of the Church Board of Property, wrote stating that no more money would bo available in the meantimo, and applicants for bin dwore warned not to go on with anv work unless they could see tbejr way to provide the necessary funds themselves. —Received. . The Session ot St. Andrew s Church drew attention to the coining ib lee of the ordination of the ho,Dr \V add oil. It was aJ«’ P omt^ out that it wonki shortly be the twenty-fifth anniversary ol the ordicgilon of Mrs Waddell as a doeconsmall committee, was act, np to consider what recognition f homd lie g ’A "committee was sot up to deal with two scholarships that had been offered.