Presbytery of Wanganui

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7939, 21 October 1904, Page 6

Presbytery of Wanganui

The Presbytery of Wanganui met at Marton on the 18th instant. Present: ixTi 3"^' Bgss (Moderator), Doull, Jolly Hall, Gordon, McCully, Morton (ministers), and Messrs Ferguson, Simpson, Kilgour, Graham, Hillier and Brooker (elders).

Mr Boss reported on the visit made by himself and Eev. B. M. By burn, as Presbytery deputies, to Taihape. Mangaweka,, and Hunterville. A new church was opened at Taihape on the 28th August last. A very decided improvement has taken place throughout the district in regard to church work and life. In order to overtake the werk at the outposts, it is desirable that a student be appointed to assist Mr Fleming curing the summer months The labours of Mr Fleming are .much appreciated in the district. The Presbytery desires to thank the officials of the Wesleyan Church at Taihape for the use of their building up till the time of the opening of thenew Presbyterian church. The work at Mangaweka has made good progress under Mr Bale, who is just now leaving the district. One pleasing feature of the work there is the large number of lay preachers in connection with the Church. The deputies would urge the congregation to have a manse erected as soon aa possible and to have the charge raised to a fully sanolioned one. • ' " -

The report of Hunterville was very encouraging, and the hearty and grateful people have recsntly presented their miniates with a horse, harness, and. beantif ul- gig. Boys. Jolly and Hall reported on their vUit to Marton. The congregation has never been in better heart than at the present, and deepite the long illness of Mr Gordon— which seems to have drawn out. the people's sympathies—^steady progress has been made. Eleven new commanicantß have joined the church last year. The deputies would suggest that the elders have districts allotted to them, and that the Minister's stipend be p»id with perfect regularity. Bey. I, Jolly reported having opened a new church at Shannon on the 9th instant, full . congregations . attending' both services. The building, which was described as being "comely in appearances and perfect in acoustics," holds 180 ; the cost was £300 and more than half the amount has been paid. Bey. J. B. Hall was appointed Moderator, of Bewa charge. Mr Hall asked the Presbytery for permission to employ a student for five months in summer.—Agreed to. Bey. D, Borrie,: of, JDunedin,. was nominated as Moderator of next General Assembly. Mr Jolly, in bringing forward the name, i-aid that Mr Borrie was fully entitled to such an honour, having done so much for church extension work. ..'.-,'.

The following expression of sympathy with the United Free Churoh of Sootland was moved bj Rev. I. Jolly, and carried unanimously :—'.'Tha Presbytery, of Wanganui wishes to express its sympathy with, the United "Free Church of Scotland in the trying circumstances in which it is placed throngh the judgment of the House of Lords in relation to its property, and the fine Christian spirit with which it has received the judgment; The Presbytery recognises the great services which the churches now forming the United Free Chnrch have rendered to the cauee of Christ in Sootland, in the foreign mission field, in the colonies, and especially in New Zealand. We pray that the Great Head of the Churoh may ovet-rule for good the preeent trial through which it is passing, guide and sustain it in the difficult circumstances in which it is placed." The Presbytery met as a Maori Mission Committee. In the absence of Rev B.M.Byburn, convenor, the Rev. J. B. Hal! took the chair. The minutes of the former meeting were read by Mr A. Ferguson; also reports of the work among the Maoris at Taumaranui and Taupo.

It, was reported that the aub-commis-sionera had met the managers at Turakina, and made arrangements to lease 4| acres, and that a lease iB beiDg prepared ; also that Mr Ward had secured a building section at Tanmaranui. It was agreed to make a grant to the missionary of Stewart Island of £25 per annum.

The Convenor is negotiating with a teacher for the Girls' School. This jß&tter ia.lefc in the hands of the subcommittee.