DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Evening Star, Issue 19546, 3 May 1927, Page 4

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

THIS MORNING'S MEETING

This morning’s meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was presided over by the Moderator (Rev. A. 0. W. Standage), . » ' A commission to represent it at the Presbytery as an elder was received from Gladstone in favor of Mr C. M. Sullivan. • A call was received from Kaikorai in favor of the Rev. J. Douglas Smith, 8.A., of Manaia, a son of the Rev. J. Gibson Smith, now of Wellington, but previously of North Dunedin. Presbytery sustained the call after a deputation had expressed the unanimity and heartiness of the call. The Convener of the Social Service Committee (Rev. W. Trotter) made a eulogy of the social work and qualities of the late Mr P. L. Clark (Mornington), and Presbytery decided that a minute should be prepared. A deputation was received from the Otago University Christian Students’ Union enlisting the support of the Presbytery for the students’ conference at Honolulu this year. Mr Kilpatrick moved that the plea he referred to the Public Questions Committee, One of the deputation, Mr Bates, was the first Ross fellow to attend Presbytery, the clerk added. “ Youth has to pay the penalty for (ho mistakes of politicians,” said tho Rev E J. Tipler, in voicing Presby■tery’s appreciation of the students’ interests in deep and broad problems of tho public, and because of the penalty tho activity was to be applauded. MINUTES OF APPRECIATION.

The Clerk read the following minute of appreciation:—“ In agreeing to tho translation of the Rev. D. M‘Cosh to Nelson, the Presbytery of Dunedin would place on record its appreciation of his service to the East Taieri congregation and the Presbytery. In his congregational work he has been a very acceptable preacher and a faithful pastor, as the flourishing condition of all tho church organisations bears witness. To old and young alike his ministry has been attractive, and he leaves the congregation in good heart, sorrowing only because he isleaving them. As a member of Presbytery, Mr M'Cosh has always been brotherly, and he has gained the esteem of all its members. He discharged his duties as Moderator of Presbytery with fidelity and great acceptance. He is commended to the Nelson congregation and Presbytery as a brother beloved.”

A minute of appreciation of the service rendered to the church by his activities and interpretations for the public by, Mr George F. Inglis, who leaves on Thursday to join tho reporting staff of the ‘New Zealand Herald,’ was read by the Rev. Hector Maclean and adopted. RIGHTS OP ORDAINEE DECLINED, From the manse, North Taieri, John Badcdck made application to the Presbytery for the right to practise the fights of an ordainee within the bounds, Hb was ordained in November. ■ 1924.

The,Rev. J. Kilpatrick (Presbytery clerk) said that, although lie was Moderator of North Taieri, the letter was the first intimation he had received of Mr Badcock’s application, which he took to be an appheation for authority to discharge his duty at the sacrament of baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and that his name be placed on the marriage list. He had no hesitation in moving that Presbytery does not receive the application, although as Moderator it would be a relief for him, to have nothing to do with North Taieri other than at the annual meeting. These applications, if granted, might be carried"to am extent with undesirable results. - Professor Davies seconded the motion. The Rev. R. F. Fish said it was very difficult to understand Presbytery’s action. The fright had been granted to tho homo missionary at Brighton, and the Presbytery, had no right to withhold them from others. , Mr Badcock was a worthy home missionary. If be could carry out his powers as ordainee within the bounds of his parish he could carry out his work just as well within the Dunedin Presbytery. ,Ho would be very sorry if the Dunedin Presbytery set its face against what other Presbyteries had upheld. Mr Kilpatrick: I don’t ask Mr Fish to approve of where I stand. I have no reason in tl 3 world to move from that particular attitude. , Some of them had been long enough in the ministry to know why the provision was made. It was to relieve Moderators where missions were at sioh a distance from the centre that it was impossible for Moderators to carry out tho work. Mr Fish: Not te-day. . Mr Kilpatrick: It was made years ago—before Mr Fish was in the church, and by men who thought. Horae missionaries were being trained, and he opposed the granting of powers of the ministry before training was completed. Why should Mr Badcock he in a position which tho highest trained student at Divinity College did not occupy? A great deal could bo said for and against, but the Presbytery must stand somewhere.

The Rev. E. J. Tipler said Mr Badcock was not in the hall. Ho was getting into the ministry in the way borne missionaries got in. He was a regular student at the University.

Mr Kilpatrick" That makes it worse. The Rev. George Miller said he was strongly opposed to any attempt to give the powers to Mr Bndcock. Where the churches were far-flung it \yas good to give the home missionaries the power, hut North Taieri was in close touch with the Moderator. The motion was carried.