Gore Presbyterian Church.

Mataura Ensign, 28 November 1890, Page 7

Gore Presbyterian Church.

INDUCTION OF THE REV. J. A. ASHER The Southland Presbytery met in tbe Gore Presbyterian Church on Wednesday afternoon, for the purpose of inducting Mr Asher to the pastoral cbarge at Gore. There there were present, tbe Beys. Kelly (Moderator for congregation) Eamsay, Lindsay, Davidson, and Panton Brown. Tbere was a very large coagregation, and after the proceedings had been opened with the ordinary devotional exercises, Tbe Bey. Mr JKamsay preached an able sermon on the subject of " Personal Salvation, or tbe knowledge of personal salvation." ohosing bis text fram the 4th chapter of St John's gospels. Iv tbe course of hisermon he said he had frequently-met wi h a class of people who said taey din not realite the;, weie saved, nor did tbey believe anyone else' did. In investigating the matter, be thought wehad scriptural authority for holding tbat belief, but he did not think that man generaUy desired that knowledge, because be recognised tbat in order to be possessed of it tbere must be a sarrender of many things they held dear. He had found, however, that those who were convinced of tbeir personal salvation were the people who read their Bible most, spent most of their time in prayer, and labored most for the cause of Christ. In concluding he said the Gore congregation would flourish aa it had never betore done, if their young minister would endeavor to obtain a clear knowledge of his congrou'at.uu'B btanding before God. The Moueiator (Mr Kelly) then detailed all tbe steps takeD/ since the resignation of Mr Mackay, towards filling the vacanoy, and they were met that day, he said, to culminate their labors in that direction by the induction of Mr Asher. The Presbytery having called for objections to the life and doctrines of Mr Asher, and there being none forthcoming, tbey had nothing further to doj than proceed with the induction. j The usual questions having been put' and ' answered in the affirmative, Mr Asher was i then formally inducted ' into the pastoral charge of Gate in a very impressive manner. Mr Lindsay then addressed a few words tothe newly appointed minister. It was a solemn day he said when a young man undertook the duties and responsibilities of a minister. He reminded bim of the' sustaining power of God'sipromise, aud pointed out that a consistent life was of more benefit to tbe caußeof Christ than the most eloquent sermon on sanctifioation. He especially recommended him to be diligent with the^oung, ' and to break the bread of life to them ac* cording to their needs. Mr Davidson then instructed the congregation as to their duties towards their new minister. Tbe office of minister would ocoupy his whole time, and he hoped they would liberally support him as tbe Lord hod ordained, and if tbey fulfilled thtir duties in that respect tLeir minister would be the more able to bend his whole energies to bis work, and the result would be greater spiritual blessings to all. He asked them as a congregation to extend their sympathies to their minister, who was a man of like passions to themselves, aod to assist him by th^ir prayers. The singing of a hymn and the prenounc- j ißg of the benediction brought the proceed- ' ings to a close. j