CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12551, 12 July 1901, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY

A meeting of the Christchureh Presbytery was held on Tuesday morning. The R.ev W. Finlayson, Moderator, presided, and there were also present the Revs W. R. Campbell, R. Erwin, F. Stubbs, Elmslie, W. Grant, J. M. Simpscn, W. Simpson, ' J. M'Kenzie, A. Doull, R. W. Jackson, J. M. Thompson, J. Maxwell, W. Ritchie, 'W. J. Gow, H. Westbrooke, and A. H. Treadwell (clerk), and 'Messrs G. Robertson, D. B. Borrie, J. Anderson, and J. B. Chisholm, elders. The Rev W. R. Campbell was appointed; Moderator for the -next six months, and took the chair. The Rev N. M'Callum and the Rev W. Gillies attended, and the latter was associated with the Presbytery. The commission appointed -in regard to. the Gust charge reported that the minister was constant in visiting the parishioners, j There were two churches and two preaching stations in the charge. The opinion of°the minister was t'hat the state of religion in ths charge.was not advancing in the district, and he attributed this in part to .the,excitements and distractions of the pass eighteen months, and that militarism had taken the attention of tho people from higher things. The session had endorsed the minister's opinions in the matter, but had given no reason for that state of affairs. About 100 families were connected with the church, and the average attendance at church services was 265. The commission thought that matters on the whole were in a satisfactory condition in the charge, so far as could be ascertained from the questions put. The sacram'ent of baptism was administered only to the chil- 1 dren of those who profess their faith in Christ and obedience to Him. The session regarded tho congregation as both' cheerful and liberal in their contributions to the support of the ministry and the various, schemes of the church. Some discussion took-place wkh regard to administering' the sacrament of bapihm, and it was ultimately decided 'that the Presbytery, after hearing the report of th™ commission, expresses it's? thonkful-nt-iS and appreciation of the state of m!atLcrs' as revealed by the prescribed questions. It urged the congregation to strfj'glhen the session, as soon as practicable, bv the addition c.f at least two elduv. Tho Revs P. J. Riddle (convener), G. B. Tiiglis, and W. Simpson were appointed a commiFsion to visit Flemdngton. The following commi'ssions were submitted :—From Oxford a.nd Gust in favour of Mr T. Hunter, from Kainpoi in favour of Mr J. B. Ohissholm, and from Lincoln and PrcbbT&on in favour of Mr W. Kennedy. All these commissions were sustained. „ Mr J. M'Kenzie, on behalf of the committee appointed in connection with visiting the Hospital, reported that arrangements had been made for a weekly visitation, and diicrcnt wards had 'been allotted to different ministers. The various Homes in tho city would also be visited. The'report was adopted. Dr' Elmslie, the Clerk and Mr Gavin were appointed to draw up a minute in connection with the death of the late Mr AY. uuryslall, who had been a member of the Presbytery. The Rev W. Gillies addressed the Presbytery 'in regard to what had been done in ' connection with the New Century Fund for church extens-ion, and it was' decided to ■ arrange for visitations by him to different districts.