PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 20052, 18 December 1928, Page 7

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

MEETING OF PRESBYTERY A meeting of the Presbytery was hold, in First Church this morning, the Rev. George Miller (Moderator) presiding. MR WALTER GOW’S ILLNESS. It was decided to send a letter to Mr Walter Gow expressing the Presbytery’s sympathy with him in his illness. REV. TULLOCH YUILLE’S LEAVE. The Rev. Tullooh Yuille, in asking for leave of absence for thirteen months, outlined the arrangements that had been made for the carrying on of the work of Knox Church. Ho stated that Lis object in askiikg for leave was to enable him to visit the Old Country, from which he had been absent for seventeen years. The Clerk moved that the leave asked for be granted, and that the Rev. G. Miller be appointed interim Moderator. The motion was carried. DR HERRINGTON’S APPOINTMENT. Referring to the appointment of Dr E. R. Herrington, of First Church, to the position of master of Knox College, the Clerk (the Rev. J. Kilpatrick) said he was sure the Presbytery would wish to congratulate Dr Herrington on his appointment, and ho moved that the intimation from the General Assembly, declaring that the pastoral tie between Dr Herrington and First Church be dissolved from December 31, be received, and that a committee consisting of the Revs. 15. J. Tipler, G. Miller, W. Trotter, and J D. Sinitb bo appointed to arrange for the time, place, and order of service for the inauction, dedication, or installation _of Dr Herrington, and for the induction of the Rev. S. F. Hunter should the Synod appoint him to the chair of Old Testament studies. _ It might also be right for the committee to take steps for the induction of the principal of the Theological College (Dr Dickie) to his office. So far, said Mr Kilpatrick, no official intimation of Dr Dickie’s appointment had been received, but he had no doubt it would soon come to hand. There was some doubt, he continued, as to whether Dr Herrington should be inducted or dedicated, but the committee appointed would go into the matter. The motion was seconded by the Rev. E J. Tipler, who congratulated Dr Herrington on Ms appointment, dnd hoped that Ms term of office as master of Knox College would lie a long and prosperous one. , The motion was carried. Mr W. H. Adams said that Dr Herrington had notified the office-bearers of First Church when he applied for the position over twelve months ago, so that the congregation was not altogether unprepared. The last day of December was, nevertheless, an awkward date for a pastorale to close, as it was hardly possible to get a representative meeting of the congregation in January. He would like to say that First Church had been very happy during the five years of Dr Herrington’s ministry. In spite of a large number of deaths and removals, the membership showed a satisfactory increase, and the various organisations were well equipped and the workers in good heart. Between £2,000 and £3,000 had been spent in improvements to the manse, in providing cloakrooms, and installing heaters in the church. Despite this large outlay, the liabilities had only been increased by £277. Against that there was now an endowment fund of £4OO, so that the church was better off financially by £123 than it was five years ago. Ho concluded by paying a high tribute to Dr and Mrs Herrington. Mr Adams moved that the Rev. J. Kilpatrick be appointed interim Moderator of First Church. This was seconded by Mr W. Crawford and carried. Mr Kilpatrick accepted the office and acknowledged the greatness of the office thrust upon him. He hoped it would not be long until the vacancy was filled. Dr Merrington thanked Mr Adams and Mr Crawford for tho very kind things that had been said about him. He hoped a man would soon be found who had strong pulpit gifts and great organising ability. Dr Herrington also thanked the Presbytery for the expressions of goodwill towards him. VISITATION COMMITTEES. Tho Rev. J. J. Cairney submitted the report of tho Visitation Committee to Knox Church, which was adopted. The report paid a tribute to the inspiring leadership of the minister, tho Rev. Tulloch Yuille, and stated that the membership numbered 1,333, which was the largest in New Zealand. The report of tho Visitation Committee to First Church submitted by the Rev. T. ili Her stated that on account of tho drift of people to the suburbs and its geographical position tho problem of holding tho congregation befaune an increasingly difficult on’. The minister was called upon to carry on a many-sided ministry because of the representative position lie held, and Dr Merrington had carried out his duties with considerable ability. In this ho had been ably helped by Mrs Merrington. The report was adopted. Tho Moderator said it must bo very gratify- , ing to Dr Merrington that he was leaving the church in such a healthy aud good- position. During Ms term of office as minister, the work had gone on smoothly and well, and he was to he congratulated on the fact that bo was leaving the church in good heart. CALL TO MR RYBTJIIN. Messrs A. Burn, J. Farguharson. and A. T. M'Naughtou waited on the Presbytery asking it to support the call which had been made to the Rev. H, J. Ryburn, of Kaikohe, to St. Andrew’s Church. Mr Burn said the members of the church were almost of one accord in asking Mr Ryburn to accept the position as minister of their church. He gavp some details of Mr Ryburn’s work in the church and of Ms high educational attainments The Cleric moved that the Presbytery sustain the call, and lie suggested that tho Rev. N 0. White, an old Dunedin boy, be asked to support it before the North Auckland Presbytery. The Cierk also outlined the proposals for the induction of Mr Ryburn to St Andrew's, ami that the tune and place of the induction he left to a committee consisting of the Rev.s. Tipler, Miller, aiid the. clerk. The motion was carried.