MATAURA PRESBYTERY.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1136, 15 January 1903, Page 2

MATAURA PRESBYTERY.

Tuesday,, 13th January.

The Presbytery met at the Gore Church. Sederunt—Revs. Messrs McLeod (Moderator), Aitkea (clerk), Kirkland, Findlay, Paulin, uegg, and Davidson (ministers); Parlane ?° d . G ° w (missionaries) j Messrs Kirk, MoPhail, Nicol, Turnbull, MoClay, and Edgar. COMMISSIONS. Commissions were read from tne Riversdale congregation in favor of Mr MoClay for Presbytery and Synod for twelve months; »? m „ Su .? ndham congregation in favor of Mr McPhail for Presbytery and Svnod for twelvemonths; and from the Knapdale congregation m favor of Mr Kirk for Presbytery and Synod for twelve months. EXAMINATION 01? RECOBDS. The Rev. Mr Kirkland was appointed to examine the records, and after examination reported that with the exception of a few minor omissions, Which could be corrected, those presented were correct. The records of the Knapdale, Waikaia, and Kelso, and the minutes of the Wyndham Management Committees were not presented. BEPORTS. Mr Parlane reported that there were encouraging signs of progress in bis mission work at Waikawa and Mokoreta. The Rev. Mr McLeod reported that he had visited Waikaia, aud held cjmmunion in various parts of the district. Mr Gow's work was greatly appreciated in tho district, and he was ploused to fnd it was out of financial difficulties. He thought something should be done to put the manse iu repair before a settled minister took charge of the parish. He asked to be relieved of the moderatorship, and suggested that Mr Kiikland should be appointed.

The Hav. Mr Begg moved to this offeot, and tho motion was carried.

The Eev. Mr Findlay reported that he had preached the Waikaka Valley charge vacant last Sunday.

elders' commissions.

The Eev. Mr Arthur moved " That Elders Commissions be dated for the year from the Ist January to 31st December." Elders' commissions should be coterminous with the year and if a resignation took place the new commission should be dated to the end of the year. The present date was not satisfactory, as the new appointments took effect immediately before the sessions of Synod and Assembly. If his motion were carried it would ensure that the elders sent to those bodies would have a thorough grasp of the work done by the Presbytery during the year. When local business came before the Assembly they would be able take a mora useful part in the discussions. The motion was seconded by Mr Kirk who thought the motion in the right direction, and oarried. ministers' association. The Rev. Mr Kirkland, in accordance with notice, moved " That a Ministers' Association be formed." His proposal was that all the ministers in the Presbytery should form an association, and invite otbßr ministers to join them. The association could hold meetings at the houses of the respective members, and unite in prayer for blessing on the church of the minister in whose house the meeting was held. They could exchange views at these meetings, which would have a tendency to enlarge their ideas. A Convention could be held, when Christian workers could be invited, and public meetings held in the evenins, when addresses could be delivered. An association such as he suggested could act in other beneficial ways, and could not fail to be of immense advantage to the church Associations such as this should be formed in every Presbytery, and would forward God's Kingdom. Country ministers did not see enough of each other. They met at Presbytery, but might not see one another again till next meeting. Meeting together for prayer would benefit ministers and theii congregations. It would be of great benefit in other ways, for they could discuss the important questions of tho day at these meetings, and be in a position to refer to them with greater confidence. He would leave the proposal to the Presbytery to deal with. The Rev. Mr Aitken said Mr Kirkland'B proposal was vague, and he questioned whether tho Presbytery was competent to form a Ministers' Association. The Prosbytery might recommend its ministers to form such an association, but he could not see how it could instruct its ministers to form such an association. It would not do to place the Presbytery m a position to have its decisions not complied with. It could not compel anv minister to join the association against his will.

The Rev. Mr Findlay was of the same opinion.

The Moderator thought the proposal outside the work of the Presbytery. It might recommend its ministers to call a meeting to form an association.

Mr Nicol asked why the Presbytery had endeavored to form an Elders' Association if it was not competent for it to form a Ministers' Association.

The Rev. Mr Kirkland would like to have the association under the control of the Presbytery. An association formed by the Presbytery would have more influence than one formed by the ministers themselves. It was very important that there should be someone to give instructions.

The Eev. Mr Aitken asked if Mr Kirkland would make it a duty of ministers to belong to the association. The position was quite different in regard to the Elders' Association. The Presbytery in that case had work for them to do. The E Iders' Association was wanted as a body of lay teachers to do certain work in the church. They could go out into the outlying districts and hold services. Mr Kirkland suggested an association of ministers to hold sweet communion at each others' houses and to hold conventions. The Presbytery might recommend the formation of such an association, but if it attempted to form one there might be difficulty. The Rev. Mr Findlay said if the Presbytery were to agree to form an association it might lead to disagreeable positions. It migbt lead to a minister who could not see his way to join the association being looked upon as an outcast. In Auckland such an association had been in existence, but it had not been formed by the Presbytery. The association had been a great assistance, but thought the Presbytery should not be asked to form such a oue.

After further discussion the Rev. Mr Kirkland altered his motion to read—" That the ministers take into consideration the formation of a ministers' assoeiation, Mr Kirkland to convene the meeting." Mr Lowden eeoonded and it was carried. The Rev. Mr Davidson pointed out that an association such as was proposed had done good work in Dunedin, but was not oonnccted with the Presbytery.

KEI'OBT FSOII UATADBA. The Rev, Mr AHken said the Mataura congregation had agreed to make a presentation of a purse of sovereigns to the Rev. Mr Davidson, which was to have taken place at tfsoiree that evening. Circumstances, which he detailed, bad arisen which bad led the committee to abandon the soiree, and the presentation would be forwarded to Mr Davidson by cheque for £IOO. With regard to the vacancy, the congregation had agreed to hear a limited number of candidates who had bean seleoted. The number to be heard was three, and these gentlemen were now preaching. The congregation would meet in the middle of February and make their choice. They asked that moderation in a call be made immediately after the election. Under the old form of procedure the moderation would entail two meetings of the congregation and two meetings of Presbytery. This caused a delay of nearly two months. He suggested that the Presbytery should proceed under the Book of Orderof the Northern Church, which would be brought into force over the colony after next meeting of the Assemby. By proceeding in this way the Presbytery would give leave to moderate in a call as soon as the congregation was ready, and avoid all delay. fie

!?3i"L* b '. ftw .s J,tar * WO °W agne to this, ™a «, 0 . V • d ■-" !I! l ta *. U,B »P<>rtbe rata* Th?orJ^ K^ Beoon,W *• "notion, ine order o( procedure proposed »h m iju carr.edthrough. In the North3ohuwb it Presbyter, generally gave leave to rnderato ma call as soon aa the wngreiration i!„ ™dy. This enabled the through at one meeting. M * OT The Bev. Mr Begg questioned the desirable ness of upsetting their course of procodura He moved-" That the to ite usual prooedure." Mr Edgar seconded. P,l h t , e . BeV u M^ AiUten soggestMl that the Presbytery should oarrythe reoeption of the report which was done, and on the amend--oZudMlDßputd MlDßput " WM lMt,and th9motion

BATES OF MEETING. m Th j E fm Mr Aitken < for th « Bev. Mr Grey) moved-" That the dfctes of the meetings o Presbytery be the second Tuesday in January October!" *' TUeßday iD A **< Ju 'y ™*

Mr Paulin seconded. Rev Mr Begg pointed out that Saturday wou d bo a more suitable day for some of th» ministers and elders, whUe U would no! materially affect the others. Mr Edgar moved-" That the meetings be the first Saturday in April, Jul,, and * 0 to .

The Rev. Mr Begg seconded. Mr Findlay objected to Saturday, but after some discussion the amendment was carried on the casting vote of the Moderator. CILEMS AT WAIXAIA. Portion of a letter was read from the Rev C. Connor, late Minister at Waikala, requesting the Presbytery to recommend the purchase of two sections of his adjoining the manse however. Mr Gow said the sections and fenoing bad cost about £l2O, but were not worth that sum now. They were two acres in extent, and were, in bis opinion, not suitable. He did not think the church would fence them. The Moderator had looked at the sections and thought they would be useless to the church. Something should be done to the manse. After further discussion, the Bev. Mr Begg moved—" That the Presbvtory does not see its way to make any recommendation." This was seconded by Mr Lowden and carried. MATAORA FAMKH. Mr Lowden said that portion of the Mataura parish should be added to Waikawa-Mokoreta, as it was unwieldy when worked from Mataura. The Waikana and Wairikeiki portion caused a considerable amount of riding to the minister, and would be better added to the other charge, The Rev. Mr Aitken combated this, and said if they were added and if a new charge were formed it would entail a ride of 50 or CO miles to the missionary, and would bo impracticable. The elders of the Masaura lihurch should take the services at these ootlying districts, and the minister visit them once a year. To tack these places on to Waikawa would ba as sensible as if they were tacked on to Ashburton. The matter was allowed to drop. ELDEBB' ASSOCIATION. Mr Kirk reported on the progress made in the formation of the Elders' Association. He had found it a formidable task to obtain the names of the various elders in the Presbytery. He bad interviewed the Mayor of Wellington, who took a deep interest in the Elders' Association in that town, and had found that the whole Presbytery was not included. It might do in this Presbytery, however. It had been found inconvenient to have a meeting at the present time. He had no doubt ot the good work the association would do, but it had not been possible to have a meeting so far. He and Mr Nicol would, however, continue the work and report later. KEI'AIBS. ' Bev. Mr Findlay asked for painting and repairs to North Chatton church, which would cost about £2O, and the Rev. Mr Paulin and Mr Nicol were appointed a committee to report. The Rev. Mr Begg made a similar request for Tapanui, and the Bev. Mr Kyd and Mr Collie were appointed a committee to report. I'RKSOTTKEY. ABSKSS3IKNTS.

The Presbytery assessments were stated by the clerk to be due, and it was explained that they had not been collected in previous years till June. pbouibition row,. The Eov. Mr Begg (for the Moderator) moved—" That the Presbytery record its gratitude to God at the growing interest'in temperance as shown at the recent local option poll; that we congratulate the electors ■if Mataura and other districts in their carrying no-license, and hope the time will soon come when every electorate in the colony will decide for no-license."

Seconded by Mr Nicol and carried unanl mously without discussion.

The Presbytery thereafter adjourned.