SOUTHBRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2398, 9 December 1881, Page 3

SOUTHBRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

A public meeting of Presbyterians attending the Southbridge Church was held in the Presbyterian Church at Southbridge on Wednesday last, at noon. There were also present deputations from the Leeston and Brookside congregations. The meeting was called by the Presbytery of Christchurch, who were represented by the Revs. O. Fraser (Moderator), Hill, Cairns, Blake, Oree, and Slocombe.

The Eev. O. Fraser, Moderator, occupied the chair, and said that the meeting had been called by the Christchurch Presbytery to meet the Southbridge congregation, and also deputations from the Leeston and Brookside congregations, to consider a petition received from the Southbridge congregation, asking for a second minister in the district, and for separation from the other congregations. He hoped in the discussion that took place all personal feelings would be dispensed with, and everything done in a Christian spirit. He would ask what number of communicants and office-bearers there were in the different congregations. The Bov J, W. Cree said he was not aware these statistics would be required, and he had not brought them with him. The Moderator said that it was a pity Mr Cree had not brought them. He would now ask Mr Gabble and Mr Thompson to address the meeting. Mr Q-abbie said that, at the request of a large number of the congregation, he bad applied to the Session Kirk for additional ministerial help, but he had not been well received, consequently they appealed to the Christchurch Presbytery, who were now present to hear their complaints. The petition had iifty-two names to it. Ho did not see why the three churches should be kept together so long. He thought that very little good was being done, as Mr Cree had too large a district to look after, and was unable to visit them all.

Mr Macpherson thought there was a general feeling in favor of separation, and as the population has very largely increased, he thought they could as well afford to keep two ministers now as they could keep one ten years ago. Mr John Boag, as a representative from Brookside, handed the Moderator the following resolutions, passed at their congregational meeting :—“ (1). That, in the opinion of this congregation, the Presbytery of Christchurch is deserving of censure for its unconstitutional conduct in receiving a document from the Southbridgo congregation, asking for ministerial labor in the Ellesmere district, which had not passed through their session. (2). That this congregation protests against the action of the Presbytery in meeting with the congregation of Southbridgo, and with deputing with the other congregations, as giving an unfair advantage to Southbridge in discussing and deciding the question at issue. (3). That, in view of the persistent agitation at Southbridge for a division of the Charge, this congregation will offer no objection to Southbridge congregation separating itself from' the other portion of the Charge, and that we pledge ourselves, in conjunction with Leeston, to pay the present salary.” The Moderator said he would not receive the first resolution, as it was a censure on the Presbytery. Ho therefore handed back the resolutions to Mr Bosg. Mr Boag wanted to know if the petition had been received in a constitutional manner. Ho maintained that it had not. The Moderator said that the petition was received as coming from individual members of the church. Mr Frame said that he had signed the petition in the hope of bringing all disputes to an end. He would move —“ That this meeting adjourn to allow the Southbridge congregation to have a meeting. Kov. Mr Cairns said the meeting had been called on purpose to hear the views of the congregation. He hoped that all ill-feeling would be laid aside. Mr D. Soott, as a representative from the Leeston congregation, handed the Moderator the following resolutions passed at Leeston : (1) “ That this meeting regrets to learn that the usual constitutional method of ascertaining the views of the several congregations interested has in this instance been departed from, and that a course has been taken which appears to indicate a want of confidence in I the Kirk session and undue sympathy with the Southbridge petitioners.” (2) “ That in the opinion of this meeting it is undesirable to sever the connection existing between the throe congregations, but if the Southbridge congregation are desirous of separation we will throw in our lot with Brookside in paying the present salary.” The Moderator said that he could not receive the first resolution, as it was not respectful. He would ask Mr Boag to band in bis third resolution. Mr Boag declined unless the whole of the resolutions were received. The Rev. Mr Hill thought separation was not desirable, but the Presbytery were there to hear the arrangements as impartial judges, and ho would move—“ That a meeting of the Southbridge congregation bo held, and that those who are desirous of separating Southbridge from Brookside and Leeston be allowed an opportunity of ascertaining what amount may be obtained to provide suitable maintenance for a second minister, and to present the list to the Presbytery at its ordinary meeting in January.” Mr Storry said he thought the three congregations should have a voice in the matter. Ho did not think Southbridge was prepared to take a minister by itself. Mr MoLaohlan said that if Southbridge separated they would lose all claim to the manse building. Mr Storry hoped that in the event of Southbridge separating, the Presbytery would see that they had a share of the value of the manse.

The Moderator would prefer that question being left to the good feeling of the ohuroh. The Bev. Mr Hill’s resolution was then put to the meeting and carried. The Bev. J. W. Cree said,', in reply to the statement that no progress had been made for years, that all the seats in the church wore now let, and plans were now being prepared for the enlargement of the church. The meeting then adjourned.