DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Evening Star, Issue 20633, 5 November 1930, Page 14

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

MONTHLY MEETING The Dunedin Presbytery held ‘Jls monthly meeting yesterday, the MddeV rater (Rev. J. W. M'Kenzie) presidilig. LATE MR WALTER GOW. The Rev. J. Kilpatrick moved that the following minute be placed on record:— "■> “ That the Presbytery places on record its deep sense of the loss it has sustained in the removal by death ot, Mr Walter Gov. Tor many years Mr Gow was a member of Presbytery tlio representative of St- Andrew’s, session. Ho took an intelligent ami, active interest in all its affairs. Ftir ! - mauy years bo was chairman of tin; Finance Committee, and he grudged neither time nor labour in discharging the many duties of his office. In all the branches of the Presbytery’s work ho was equally interested. His advice in regard to church property was often sought, and it was usually final. In,all ho did ho exhibited such' a kindly spirit that made it a pleasure to work with him. Both in the de-> liberations of the Synod and the General Assembly be represented the Pres—bytery frequently, and always with, great acceptance and profit. In nil,- 1 things ho manifested the spirit of Hind Whom we call Lord and blaster. His relations with members of Presbytery, whether ministers or elders, was most brotherly. The loss to the Presbytery will bo keenly felt. We would commend his widow and family and relations to the unfailing grace of our Heavenly Father.” The motion was carried in silence. VISITOR WELCOMED. The Moderator welcomed the Rev. J. M. Thomson, of the Waiwera-Kai-hiku charge, to the meeting. FINANCIALA letter was read from the treasurer of the Genera] Assembly stating that £37,449 was required for the current year for general church activities, and that the Dunedin Presbytery was expected to find £7,280 of this amount. —Noted. Mr John M. Dick moved the following overture, of which lie _ had given notice; —“ Whereas the deficits accuimi lating in the funds of the General Assembly are a source of serious embarrassment to the church and a grave hindrance to future progress, involving payment of heavy interest charges; and whereas the expedient now being adopted of making transfers from certain capital funds to reduce the deficit on working accounts is making considerable inroads upon reserves; ami whereas the increasing difficulty being experienced by very many church courts throughout the dominion in raising the finance necessary to meet present-day needs of congregations is pressing heavily upon them, the Presbytery of Dundcin hereby overtures the General Assembly to take these premises into consideration, and to take such steps as may be necessary to ascertain the mind of the members of the church regarding the whole scope of Assembly schemes at present in operation or contemplated, and their willingness and ability to contribute the funds called for, or that the Assembly determine otherwise, as its wisdom may direct.” After some discussion it was decided to appoint a committee to formulate a new overture, and to include it in the notice calling the nest meeting of Presbytery. GENERAL.

An application was received for a grant of £SO for repairs to the manse at Broad Bay.—Mr Kilpatrick ex plained the position, and it was de aided to refer tho application to the Presbytery’s Church Extension Committee, with the Rev. Mr M'Arthur. minister in charge of the Peninsula district. Tho Rev. T. Miller referred to the Christian Endeavour Movement, and said that in Otago it was showing nil the signs of a vigorous youth. Ho hoped the day of the Christian Endeavour Movement would return to Otago, if indeed it had not already returned. A report was presented hy the Rev. J. G. Dunn on the Robert Raikes pageant, which he said had been a success financially, and in every other way- The expenses had been very heavy, but be thought they would show a profit of some £3O. The committee felt that the whole effort had been n very happily co-operated movement. (Applause.)