AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2519, 21 February 1872, Page 6

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

A pro re nata meeting of the Presbytery oi the Scotch Kirk was held at St. Andrew's Church, on the 7th February, at 11 o'clock. Preseut: Rev. T. Norrie, Moderator (iti the chair), Kev. j>. Bruce, Rev. R. F. Macniccol, Rev. Jamea Hill, Rev. John Macky, Rev. P. F. MeKenzie, itev. D. Sidey, Rev. 1). Hamilton, Messrs. Hay, R. Somerville, and Stevenson, elders.—The Presbytery met for the purpose of allocating the newly-arrived j ministers to their charges in the province.— Rev. Moderator having opened the meeting with reading the Scriptures and prayer, stated that he had called this pro re nata meeting after consulting with the clerk immediately on being apprised of the arriral of the new m misters and their esteemed friend the Rev. D. Bruce.—Rev. Mr. Macky, iu a few appropriate words, proposed, " That this Presbytery, while again expressing their hearifelt sympathy with their much esteemed brother, the Rev. D. Bruce, in the afflictive bereavement with which it has pleased Almighty Grod to visit him while sojourning in his native land, ciesire, at the same time, to express their gratitude to Divine Providence in strengthening him for the performance of valuable services in connection with the advancement of the interests of the Church in this colony, and in now restoring him to the sphere of his important labors amongst us ; and they still further desiro to assure him of the great satisfaction with which they welcome and greet him ou his again hiking his place as a member of this Court."—Rev. Mr. Macniccol seconded the motion. —The Moderator, addressiug Mr. iiruce, said : On behalf of the Presbytery be gave him the warmest welcome ou his return. Hα need not- s:iy how much they had prayed for him in his afflictions, but h-j hoped that God would spure him long iu lii 3 sphere of usefulness. They were all grateful to Almighty God for the accession to their strength he had brought with him. He hoped Mr. Bruce would be long spared, and that he would find that all things worked together for good. — Rev. Mr. Bruce having feelingly I thav' ed the Presbytery for the kind exI predion of opinion just ofl'jred to him, j introduced the Rev. Mr. Sidey, who had been I appointed to a charge in Napier, the Kev. Mr j Hamilton, from the Presbyterian Church in ' Ireland, who came to be appointed to any ■ sphere which required his services, and Mr. , MacCrae, who had been introduced to him by several clergymen of the highest standing at ho : iie. While preparing the work of the ministry at home, his health failed, and he t was advised by his physician to leave the old ' country. He had received very high recom- ! meudations from several clergymen, but in the hurried circumstances of arriving he had not been able to lay his hands upon them, but ' they would readily credit him when he re- ; marked that the recommendations made by ' the ministers of his church were such as to ! recommend him to their notice.—The Mode- ! rator, on behalf of the Presbytery, greeted i and welcomed the new labourers.—The several , recommendations and testimonials in favour : of the new ministers were road, and considered as perfectly satisfactory to the Presbytery. I It wa9 made a suggestion to the Rev. iJr. '■ Sidey that he should endeavor, when he look ; up his charge at Hawkc'a Bay, to do what he I could towards supplying Poverty Bay with I ministerial services.— Rev. J. Macky said he j thought before the Rev. Mr. Hamilton was ! permanently appointed to a charge he should j be allowed to preach at the various places which were in want of a pastor, so that he j should find out which place would best suit I him, and also give the people an opportunity j of judging as to Mr. Hamilton's capabilities. < —Kev. Mr. Hill thought it would be a goal thingfor Mr. Hamilton and for the people to meet face to face. A free choice increased the responsibility of the people, and the minister went with greater confidence to a place where he was requested to officiate, after having given them an opportunity of judging. — Mr. K. Somerville stated that he had been requested by the people at the Whau to ask the Presbytery to allow Mr. Hamilton to preach there and at the various places iu connection therewith, for at least t\vj Sabbaths.—This system was agreed to. — The Rev. D. Bruce was then appointed convener for the Committee of the Home Mission.—The Presbytery then appointed Mr. McCrae to the district of the Waipu, and made a recommendation to the Homo Mission Committee to make the necessary arrangements for Euch appointment.—This concluded the business.