CHURCH MATTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7024, 12 January 1910, Page 3

CHURCH MATTERS

WELLINGTON PRESBYTERY,

Wellington Presbytery met yesterday, tho Rev. W. J. Comrie, Moderator, presiding. The commissions of Jlessrs John Wingate (Masterton), R. Wilton (Pahiatua), and William Allan (South Wairarapa) as elders on the Presbytery for tho ensuing year wero sustained. THE LORD’S SUPPER. An application from Jlr Rattray, home missionary at Pongaroa, fqr permission to dispense the Lord’s Snpper was postponed until nest meeting to enable further information to bo obtained. Ono member remarked that formerly tho hems missionaries were in close touch with tho Presbyteries, but such was not tho case now. Tho Modoratni’-pointcd out that this was not the fault of tho regulations but tho fault of tho presbyteries themselves. Tho Rev. Mr Douglas said it might sound like vainglorious boasting, but when on tho West Coast ho had frequently administered tho Sacrament at five Ho could not understand the strong desiro of home missionaries to do tho work of tho moderators. Ho hardly thought that Presbyteries should encourage toe much of this sort of thing. The Jloderators of the various places should show a little more self-denial an-d do the work themselves. “A MONSTROUS PROPOSAL.” Tho question of supply for the church at Masterton during the absence of the Rc-v. A. T. Thompson in England came up for consideration. A proposal bad been made that a licentiate-of-the church should bo ordained an elder and a home missionary] to administer the Sacrament .during the absence of the Rev. Mr -Thompson. Tho Moderator, ono of the committee appointed to consider tho matter, recommended that ifc.be allowed to stand over until next meeting. Several members of the Presbytery maintained that tho procedure proposed was altogether unconstitutional and would completely shatter the rules and regulations of the church. Tho Rev. J. Paterson said that the proposal was altogether unprecedented. It was. a . monstrous Hung, .< <and if it were carried ho would take the matter to tho Assembly and Jet that body decide it before ho would agree to such a monstrous proposal, especially-when there was a minister only a few' miles away at Carterton.

' Tire Moderator pointed out that they were discussing the question of postponement and not tho merits of tho case. His ruling at a previous raectis’g in connection with the matter had been referred to outside the Preshyteiy as very arbitrary and he had allowed some latitude on. that account. However, they must 'decide whether they intended to deni with the merits of the case or postpone its consideration. ■

Tho motion to postpone was carried on the casting vote of tho Jloderator. THE BROOKLYN CHURCH.

Tho plains for additions and alterations to the class-rooms and church at Brooklyn were approved. It was reported that it was not intended to proceed further with the matter of the manse at present.