THE PRESBYTERY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10654, 15 May 1895, Page 2

THE PRESBYTERY.

ORDINARY MEETING. An ordinary meeting of the Presbytery of Christchurch was held, yesterday morning; sederunt —The Rcva W. Grant (moderator), Dr Eimelle, Gordon Webstar, li. Erwin, W. Scorpio, J. Maxwell, P. R. Monro. W. J. Gow, P. J. Riddle, G. 23. Inglia, W. R, Campbell, W. Skinner, J. Mo.ohie, D, D. Rodger and A. H, Treadwell (clerk), and Messrs A. Eltclrie, B. Bowie, J. G. Fyfo, D. Duncan, C. Young, W. I l ’. Conway, J. Anderson and W. Carr (elders); also, the Esva N. M’Callnm, W. Fial&yaon, W. Roj3, G. A. Stows!! snd Somerville. ELDERS’ CO3IMISSION. Elders’ commissions were received on behalf of Messrs W. Inglia (Akaroa), D. B. Bowie (St Andrews), J. Forrester (Sydenham) and W. Nison (Leestcn). PAPAHTTI, Tho Esv W. J. Gow pressn tad tho report of the commission appointed to visit Papanui. It stated that the station who under tho spiritual oversight oil tho Rev E. Erwin, with two elders. There was a weekly afternoon service. About thirty families were within tho bounds, and the strict average attendance at public worship was forty, there being for/ remaining outside church connection, Tha Sabbath school was superintended by ono of tha eiders. The Lord’s Supper was celebrated half-yearly, and there were twenty-eight communicants, with an aver-ng-3 attendance of twenty. Seats were free, cud tho average Sabbath collection was 10s, Tho average annual income was about £75, and tho amount p&id to the minister averaged a little over £SO a year. There was no debt, and there was land available fora manse, Tha elders were faithful in visiting the congregation. Tho spiritual condition of the congregation left something to bo desired, but the minister as teaching older, miniatezed faithfully to his flock. Bettor results would be seen if tho station were in a position to bo reinstated ao a settled charge. Mr Gow, in presenting tho report, advocated the formation of a Liy Association for tho purpose of assisting in conducting services. The report waa adopted, with s vote of thanks to the Esv E. Erwin. BAICAIA. The Esvs W. Skinner and G. B. Inglia, with Mr A, Orr, elder, were appointed to visit Eakaia, SEETOH. The Eev E. Erwin presented the report of the committee appointed to consider tho subject of tho manes in connection with tho proposed division of the Soften district. It was to the effect that since, as far ns could be ascertained, the contributions actually paid by Ashley and Loburn amounted to £9O, tho Committee considered that in caso of the Presbytery determining to redistribute tha district, a payment of £SO by tho portion retaining the property would be an equitable settlement of their claim, but in case this proposal was not acceptable to all parties, the committee recommended that the matter should be subjected to arbitration, Seftou to appoint ono arbitrator, Ashley end Loburn one and the Presbytery one. Is case of the redistribution taking place the committee anticipated that Amberley would undertake to contribute to tho manse fund an amount nt least equal to that lost by tho severance of Ashley and Loburn. Tiie Eav Gordon Webster repel a letter from tho Eev J. Patterson, of Wellington, convener of tho ■ Church Extension Committee, concurring in tha proposed division of the district. Messrs M’Lcan, M’Gowau, Carmichael and Oarr, delegates from the district, spoke against the division. The Eev Gordon Webster said that the matter was, primarily, tha work of the Presbytery, which, however, wan glad to have the co-operation of the people. Ho contended that tho permanent interests of tho district required the redistribution, and pointed out that tho people of Amberley were unanimously in favour of it; that many persona in other parts of the district were of the same opinion; that tho objection wca largely & matter of sentiment. He remarked that tho proposed change was in the direction of a sound territorial system, and, therefore in tho interests of the Church generally. The case would be a precedent to guida them iu dealing with other districts. Ha moved—“ That the Presbytery, having before it a communication strongly urging a rearrangement of tho districts covered by the Raagiora, Seffcon and Ambarlsy congregations, as necessary in the interests both of economy and efficiency, also a report of their own committee on the financial interests involved in the now manse at Sefton, also tha representation of parties from tho districts interested, and having anxiously considered tho whole subject with referenco both to the special needs of tha locality, and the general interests of the Church, resolves as follows : —(1) That the congregation at Amberley be united with the Sell ton charge, and worked as part, of it, along with Leithfiald and Mount Grey Downs, tho autonomy of each of the sections being preserved as at present. (2) That the Ashley and Loburn sections be disjoined from Sefton and united with the Ea'ngiora congregation, their autonomy in other respects being preserved as at present. (3) That acting elders in any.of these sections shall be members of the sessions of the congregations to which they are attached. (4>) That tho recommendations of tho committee be adopted as embodying tho terms of an equitable settlement of the rights and interests of parties iu tha now manse at Safton. (5) That the moderator and session of Sefton, snd tho minister and session at Eangiora, bo instructed to give effect to these resolutions without delay, and to regard the new anaagemont as taking effect from the first Sabbath in June. (6) That tho Presbytery, in making this rc-distribution, earnestly solicits tha co-operation of all their faithful and loyal people in the districts interested, and exhorts them to work harmoniously and heartily together, so that, by tho blessing of God, two strong, officious and prosperous congregations may bo maintained iu this important part of Canterbury.” The Rev E. Erwin seconded the motion, and said that last Sabbath the Eev J. Orchard, of the Bible Christian Church, had held a service at Softon. He (Mr Erwin) said that ho must complain strongly of the manner in which tins church acted by going into districts where theie was disaffection in order to establish congregations. Ho considered that such conduct should be hold up to tho execration of tha Christian public, for instead of furthering Christ’;; work it was hindering it. Ho hoped that the expression cf this sentiment would not be regarded as personal on his part, but that the Presbytery should give its opinion on tha ('.abject. (Applause.) The Eev Dr Elmslio, as ono of the oldest members of Presbytery, exhorted all parties to oink their personal feelings and loyally accept the decision of tha Presbytery. The motion waa then carried, Mr Carr dissenting. Tho Moderator urged all parties interested to heartily and loyally fall in with the decision just arrived at. MISCALLAiTEOtTP. The following were appointed as the

Sunday School Examination Committee: ■—The Eova A. M. Wright (convener), J. Mnckie, W. Scorgis, E. Erwin, Tv. E, Campbell, G. Iff Juglis, W. Skinner, B. J. Westbrcoke, J. B. Finlay and J. Maxwell. A petition was read from several members and adherents of tho church residing at New Brighton, asking that the services begun there might not be discontinued, but that regular services should be held in the district. It was signed by the repreaentativea of twenty families, representing seventy-three persons, and suggested that New Brighton should be united to Sumner or Papanui in one charge if the residents at those places were agreeable. On the motion of the Eev W. Scorgie, seconded by the Eev J. Mackie, it was decided that Now Brighton should be ’placed under the charge of the Eev Dr Elmslio as moderator. The Rov D. D. Rodger formally resigned the moderatoiship of Waiau,on account of the return, of the Eev W. E. Campbell. It was decided to recommend tho Church Extension Committee to make a grant of £lO to Springburn. This closed the business.