Congregational Church for Gore.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 15, Issue 1159, 16 February 1892, Page 4

Congregational Church for Gore.

MEETING IN ODDFELLOWS' HALL. Some fifty ladies and gentlemen met in the Oddfellows' Hall last evening to consider the feasibility of establishing a churoh in West Gore for the convenience of seceders from the Gordon church and others who desired to worship with them. Mr James Beattie was voted to the chair, and before he had proceeded fai with his remarks, Mr Alex. Graham pointed out that the Ensign reporter was present. Was it desirable their deliberations should be made public P On the motion of Mr E. Dickson, who said they had nothing to cloak, it was unanimously resolved that our reporter remain. The Chairman explained that had the present management of the church acted with moderation all would have stuck to the place on the hill, but he was of opinion that recent events had shown the necessity for a second place of worship. When Mr Mackay was in charge, he (Mr Beattie; went with him to Inyercargill more than once with the object of definitely securing a site in West Gore that had been named before that at East Gore was fixed upon. The new church was no new thing, and he knew it was Mr Maokay's opinion that, once fixed in West Gore, the Presbyterian Church would command a better attendance, and would show increased growth spiritually in all works undertaken. Well, a committee acting for those of that opinion prepared a petition, and to it were adhibited the names of 53 members and 87 adherents; to these must be added the names of nearly 100 children ready to attend the Sabbath school. That was a larger roll-number than when Mr Mackay started, and he had no doubt that with unanimity success would be achieved. The petition went before the Presbytery, which from the first— with the exception of Dr Cophnd and Mr John Smaill — was antagonistic, apparently being of the opinion that the duty of the petitioners was to support Mr Asher. He held that there should be no monopoly, and that seeing the petitioners simply asked for recognition as Presbyterians, seeing that they themselves were fully prepared to support all the ordinances, there could be no reasonable ground for th* rebuff which they had encountered. He was sorry to hear one of the reasons why the Presbytery upheld Mr Asher and the Gore Session : that only 10 or 12 who had signed the petition would absent themselves from the present church. That statement led in a great measure to the decision arrived at, and it had been reiterated by Mr Asher before the Presbytery ; but he ventured to assert that a wholly mistaken estimate had been formed and that a red-herring had been drawn across the scent. I£ those present showed that they were really bent on having a church, there were no inseparable difficulties in the path, and a committee could arrange all matters with expedition. Mr Alex. Graham, one of the original committee and one of the deputation to the Presbytery, said he received little encouragement or countenance from the latter. They were told, in effect, that they were foolish — a statement he resented because of the numbers concerned. In the multitude of counsellors, there was surely some wisdom. The first petition got no sympathy ; the second would not have been considered at all but for the protests of two members. In view of all this, he was in favor of a church of some kind, the nearer it approached Presbyterianism the better ; and so he would move—" That steps be taken to form a Congregational Church in Gore." He had received some correspondence bearing on the matter. One letter was from Mr J. W. Jago, of Dunedin; another from the Rev. Mr Saunders, in charge of the] church in Moray place. That gentleman, while expressing, regret at the unsettled state of the Presbyterian Church in Gore and a desire to heal breaches rather than cause disintegraton, wa3 quite willing to assist those who desired to establish a new church, and in a lengthy communication pointed out that there was really very little difference between Presbyterians and Congregationahsts. They should be able in Gore to get a very good minister for the stipend they promised, L2CO, and the stronger churches would no doubt subsidise them. The Oongregationalists had a site in Gore ; so, he understood, had the Presbyterians, who had been in communication with him. There would be no difficulty, perhaps, in disposing of the Congregationalists' site and applying the sum it realised to the new cause. He (Mr Saunders) would be only too happy to run down to Gore and consult with the people. At the request of Mr John Falconer, Mr Graham, who had been appointed secretary, read the constitution of the Congregational Churoh, for which we have not room in this issue. Mr L. Coutts then seconded Mr Graham's motion. The Chairman mentioned that he had received a short note from the Gore Session, asking the petitioners for a second charge to remain associated with the church in East Gora. That had no effect upon him, and he had some time ago requested to be furnished with certificates of transference for himself and wife; so whether a new church was formed or not, he had for ever parted with the one on the hill. . The extract-minute was simply received — on the motion of Messrs R. Dickson and H. Fryer, the former stating that they should show no sympathy with it. Mr P. Campbell would like tv hear more definite reasons for dissent. They had a really nice church at East Gore. The Secretary said it was difficult to give all reasons, but one was that their money was wanted for the recent addition, and they were not inclined to give it. The Chairman said the broad reason was this : they offered to start a church in West-Gore, and merely asked for the name ?' Presbyterian," Those in authority would not grant their request to remain as Presbyterians and induct a minister for them, though no expense would be incurred by the parent church or by any other than those immediately concerned. Was that not sufficient to cause disruption ? No reason could be advanced fgr the refusal, and any community qf people could form a church. The Secretary said they were Presbyterians, whq had everything to lose and npthing to gain by severance. There had been additions— rlarge additions-?-^) the church in East Gore, though many thought they should have walked before they ran, with the u^mate idea of com? ing pver to West Grorfl. The motion for. the establishment of a Congregational Church was then put and carried unanimously amidst applause, Mr Q. Grant said th« Croydon people had no alternative but to leave the church gi ftejr father became Mr

Asher only visited them three times a year till lately, and only oame now more frequently on conditions. The Secretary : State them. Mr Diokson : Pounds, shillings and pence. Mr W. Preshaw Craig moved—" That the Rev. Mr Saunders be invited to a conference with the people of Gore," and he would suggest that it be f\xed for the end of a week in order that they might have the privilege, of listening to him on the following Sabbath., He spoke highly of Gongregationalist*, whom he had invariably found warm-hearted and prepared to extend the right hand of fellowship; Mr Fryer seconded the motion., > The Chairman bad been a member of the Free Church for 35 years, and thought he would have spent the remainder of his days in communion with it; but recent actions had shaken his faith in Presbyterianism aB carried on here. The Southland Presbytery started the rupture; that of Mataura had applied the finishing touches. His faith remained unshaken, and he still thought the Presbyterian form of ohurohgovern* ment as good as any other J but the clergy here wanted to beoome possessed of the whole power, and if half-a-dozen of them met together they formulated hard-and-fast rules that did not suit the people. They had used Gore badly in the past. The motion was then put and carried nem con. Mr Diokson expressed gratification at the unanimity displayed in asserting their independence to say where and how they would worship, and moved — "That Messrs.. Beattie, Strachan, McAllister, Graham, Matthews, Falconer, MajorU banks, France, Coutts, Shiras, Smaill, Grant, McLiskey, Craig, Fryer, and the mover be a committee to further in every possible way the erection of a church and pulpit supply." They had been asked by a previous speaker for reasons for dissent; well, some yean, ago several gentlemen severed their connection with the churoh in East Gore, and when they came back ill -feeling was created where harmony bad for some time existed. So let them worship where they pleased, and those who were capable of asserting their independence could take the easier road, one that suited them best. Mr Coutts thoroughly believed in what Mr Dicksou had said, and hoped the committee named would be as successful as the committee existing at the time of Mr Mackay's inJuction. Then they worked harmoniously enough, clearing the debt on the church off and leaving some assets. But times had changed, aud now that the original seceders had come back again, satisfied at losing a good minister, they had turned oul a very considerable section of the church; (Cries of No! No I and some laughter.) Well, they had made it so disagreeable that certain people were bouud to go, and now as a last kick they declined to let them have a church of their own — because they wanted them to return and again clear off the debt on the building. Such conduot was unfeeling and he could not understand the action of the Presbytery in favoring those who had done more to hinder the progress of religion than the whole body of the church had done. The Secretary : Mr Scorgie gave you the reason at the soiree, when he spoke of the spirituality of the congregation. Mr Coutts : Ac any rate we've been kicked out, and if we cannot establish a Presbyterian Church, by all means let us have a Congregational one. There was a good deal of talk about increasing the number of the committee, but eventually "power to add' 1 was deemed sufficient, and the motion was duly passed. The Chairman produced a subscription list towards the erection of a church, but no action was . taken regarding it in view of the approaching visit from Mr Saun* ders. MrDickson declared his intention of never going back to the church, though it was a great wrench to sever all connection with it. He felt especially for the young; if the fear of God was implanted in them it made a lasting impression, and instead of rabbiting on Sundays they would repair to the sanctuary and benefit by ministrations. Many of the young .people were being neglected, and so ho would urge upon the committee the desirableness of securing a minister at once and losing no time in erecting a church. Mr Fryer strongly advocated the immediate establishment of a Sabbath, school ; but all the details were left to the committee, who were instructed, on the motion of Messrs Dickson and D. Lyttle, to hold a meeting at their earliest convenience, draw up all necessary reports and call the congregation together. The meeting cjosed with prayer by the chairman.