PRESBYTERY OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1650, 8 February 1862, Page 9

PRESBYTERY OF AUCKLAND.

The quarterly meeting of this Court was held ca the Ist instant, in St. Andrew’s Church, the Rev. Mr. Thom, .Moderator. Being New Year’s Day, it was agreed to limit the business to the hearing of the trial discourses of the Rev. John Gorrie, preparatory to his ordination over the pastoral charge ofWangarei. Mr. Gome’s discourses were accordingly heard, and the Presbytery having declared themselves highly satisfied with them, his ordination was appointed to take place on the evening of the Bth. I The Rev. Mr. Thom demitted the charge of St. James’ congregation, with which the Presbytery had entrusted him, and intimated to the Court that divine services were now conducted for that congregation by the Rev. Mr. Mason, late of Purakina. Mr. Mason, being present, was admitted a member of the Court, and took his seat accordingly. It was remitted to the Session of St. Andrew s to take what steps they thought fit to ascertain whether it were now the desire of St. James’ congregation to be erected into a district charge, and their wishes respecting a permanent supply for the pulpit. The Presbytery then adjourned to meet on the Bth instant at II a.m. ADJOURNED MEE2ING. The Presbytery of Auckland held an adjourned meeting on the Bth instant in St. Andrew’s Church, the Rev. Mr. Thom, Moderator. The Treasurer of the Church reported verbally on the state of the New Zealand Home Mission Fund, and stated that in a few days he would bo prepared to lay a full report before the Home Mission Committee. It was then agreed that a special meeting of Presbytery should be held on the 12th February, to consider matters relating to Home Mission operations, and to receive the reports on Foreign missions, on babbath ana day schools, deed of conveyance, and other matters. The Clerk laid on the table an answer from Governor Sir George Grey, to the address sent from the Presbytery on the occasion of his Excellency’s arrival

in New Zealand, which having been read, was ordered t) be placed on the record. The Clerk also stated to the Court, that in terms of the Presbytery’s remit, the Session of St. Andrew’s had held a meeting with St. James’ congregation, and laid on the table an extract from the minutes of the said meeting, showing that the congregation had unanimously decided on asking the Presbytery as early as possible to erect them into a distinct charge, and on leaving in the meantime the supply of the pulpit in the hands of the Presbytery. Mr. Gorrie, one of the provisional session of St. James’, gave some statistics concerning the congregation, and expressed it as his opinion that the congregation would very soon be self-supporting. The Presbytery thereupon cordially resolved to erect the congregation of St. James and district of Hobson-street into a distinct pastoral charge, and also appointed the Rev. Peter Mason to discharge the duties of the pastorate until further arrangements. The Ilev. Mr. Norrie brought under the notice of the Presbytery the necessity of making provision for the spiritual wants of the soldiers stationed at, and around Drury, and it was remitted to him to take the supervision of those belonging to the Presbyterian Church as far as circumstances would permit. Mr. Alexander Whyte, student, appeared before the Presbytery, and having been examined in Latin, Greek, and Philosophy, to the great satisfaction of the Court, was admitted to regular training for the ministry. This closed the ordinary business, and the _ Court adjourned to attend the ordination services in the evening. ORDINATION SERVICES. The Presbytery of Auckland met in St. Andrew’s Church on the evening of the Blh instant, at half-past 7 o’clock, for the purpose of ordaining the Rev. John Gorrie to the pastoral charge of the. district of Wangarei. There was a large and deeply interested audience. Divine service was conducted by the Moderator, the Rev. John Thom, who preached a superior discourse from St. John i., 12.—“ As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” Thereafter the Clerk read a statement of the different steps that had been taken in connexion with Mr. Gorrie’s settlement at Wangarei, and put to Mr. Gorrie the questions appointed to be used on the occasion of an ordination, and obtained for these the necessary answers. Mr. Gorrie was then by prayer, and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, solemnly ordained and set apart to the office of the holy ministry, and received from all the brethern the right hand of fellowship. He tvas then addressed on the duties pertaining to his responsible office by the Rev. John Macky, whose pointed and affecting exhortation made a deep impression on the minds of all present. At the close of the services the Clerk accompanied Mr. Gorrie to the door of the Church, and gave the people an opportunity of shaking hands with the newly ordained clergyman, and bidding him God speed in the work to which he was now consecrated. Among the audience were several residents from Wangarei, who came to Auckland to witness the important ceremony of their minister’s ordination, and we are sure that they, along with all present, must have felt much edified”by the important services which they then witnessed. Mr. Gorrie proceeds immediately to the sphere of his future labours, and is to bo accompanied by the Dev. D. Bruce, who is appointed by the Presbytery to introduce him to the people of his charge. Mr. Gorrie enters upon his ministerial work with the best wishes of a large circle of friends, _ whose prayer for him will be that he may, as a minister of Christ, bo strengthened to do for Wangarei, what for many years he has done for Auckland, as a devoted and successful instructor of youth.— Communicated.