OAMARU PRESBYTERY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11656, 11 June 1912, Page 4

OAMARU PRESBYTERY.

The quarterly meeting of the Oamaru Presbytery was held this morning in Holmes Hall. Present: The Moderator (Rev. D.- Campbell), Revs. R. J. Porter, ;P. S. Hay, P. C. Rennie, J. Standring, J. Clark, Wm. Wright, Thos. Ncaye, J. C. Paterson, Wilson, and J. Steven (clerk); elders —Messrs J. H. Milligan, Jas. M'Gimpsey, John. M'Rao, Jas'. Chapman, Mattheson, and Robertson. ... Apologies for absence were received from Messrs W. W. Beswick and John King (elders). Regarding Mr Beswick's absence, the Rev.- W. Wright explained that it was owing to a sudden family bereavement. He moved the 'following motion: "The Presbytery desire to express its warmest sympathy with Mr and Mrs Beswick and family in their sad and sudden bereavement, and pray that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus may bestow upon them all needed grace and comfort in their time of sorrow." Rev. R. J. Porter seconded the motion, to which the Presbytery gave its acquiescence by silently standing. A hearty welcome to the Presbytery was given to the Rev. Mr Wilson (Wcs-ton-Totara parish).. Rev. P.-G. Ilennie moved that-the Presbytery meet- for ordinary .business every two months instead of quarterly. He said that increasing business made a change necessary, and it was time the Oamaru Presbytery was brought into line : with other Presbyteries as regards frequency of meeting. Rev. J. Neaye seconded the motion pro forma, which, after a brief diseussionj- was put and lost. Rev. R. J. Porter reported informally as to the arrangements in progress with regard to the forthcoming visit to the Dominion of the Chapman-Alexander Mission. Mr Porter said that the intention of the missioners was to hold a three days' mission in Oamaru and one of tliree days in Timaru. It was _ felt that three days was too short for either o 1 ! these towns, and a suggestion had been made that Timaru forego its mission in favor of Oamaru or that Oamaru forego in favor of Timaru. The matter was'being dealt with by the Ministers' Associations in both towns.

Rev. R. J. Porter, as convener of" the Evangelistic Committee, reported that Mr Pattison had been carrying- on fine,work since the last meeting of the Presbytery. He was at present at Ngapara, "and his time would he fully occupied right up to the end of July. The missions had been exceedingly helpful, find the reports indicated that many young people had made a decision for Jesus Christ. The evangelist had visited a considerable number of people, and had, in addition, been instrumental in selling a large number of Bibles. The Committee was of opinion that in some instances the evangelist's time had nob been utilised to the best advantage, too little time being spent in one district. The Committee felt that if the best results were to be obtained at least one week should be spent in each place, and recommended, that the evangelist's services be utilised to a greater extent than in the past. ■. Regarding the finances, Mr Porter said that the monetary returns from some of the congregations that had received the evangelist's help were exceedingly disappointing He did not know what the Committee would ■have done had it not been that they had raonev to start with in the way of interest. With reference to a successor to Mr Pattison (whose time would expire in July), the Committee, as the result of an advertisement in the Outlook, had received five applications for the position. One of those came from Brisbane and the other applicants were all resident in New Zealand. The Committee, after carefully considering the applications, had decided to recommend that Mr dimming bo appointed for a period of twelve months, beginning on August Ist. Mr dimming was a very earnest man. a capable speaker, and a trained musician. Rev. R. J. Porter moved that the Committee's recommendation be given effect to. Rev. J- Standring seconded, and the motion was carried. The following motion, moved by Rev. J. Clarke, seconded by Rev. P. C. Reunie, was agreed to: "The Presbytery has heard with gratification the report of the work being done by the Rev. J. Pattison, the Assembly's evangelist, now actively engaged in its various congregations. Where the conditions as to weather and population and reasonable preparation have been propitious, several of the missions have been both refreshing and fruitful to the communities served. Even . where the conditions have not been so favorable the missioner has labored with marked fidelity and spiritual help to those who were able to take part in, the services. Mr Pattison proves himself a whole-hearted, sympathetic, and tactful laborer in the Master's Kingdom. As a number of missions have still to be conducted by our brother, the Presbytery would commend Mr Pattison and his work to the lively interest of the several congregations still to be visited, and affectionately urge them to expectant preparation and prayer." Mr W. S. Fitzgerald, representing St. Margaret's Residential College, Dunedin, personally waited on the Presbyterv. and was given a cordial welcome. Mr Fitzgerald explained that he had been asked to place before the Presbytery the position of and need for help in connection with the College and solicit practical assistance. The idea, of tinCollege had originated in Dunedin with a view of providing a residence for young women who were compelled to go to Dunedin for study at the Training College or University. It was no mere residence: if it were so there would be no need for it. Mr Fitzgerald said there were two aspects of education — intellectual development and moral training, and he went on to speak of what the Presbyterian Church had done for education in Otago. The University did no more and could do no more than attend to the one ascept of education — the intellectual development. There remained the moral training to provide for. So far as the young men were concerned provision had been made for them in Knox College. An attempt was now being made to do something for the voung women, and he could say from his personal experience that there was great need for provision of the kind. They wished to find a home for those youiig women who were strangers in the town, where they would bo surrounded by a Christian atmosphere. . St. Margaret's was not a denominational institution, and the present 14 residents included members of several denominations. The College was not fully occupied, and every branch of University life was represented. They had secured a splendid site adjacent to the University Buildings for the purpose of the College,, and the Committee were now in urgent need of £SOO. At .the end of the year they had undertaken to pay £2OOO ■tor-'the-half -acre site and the buildings upon it. Mr Fitzgerald asked that the claims 6'f the College he brought before the several sessions, managers, and congregations. The work was a good one for the Church to engage iu, and its results would prove most beneficial. Rev. R. J. Porter spoke supporting the claims of St. .Margaret's College to practical assistance, and in commendation of Mr Fitzgerald's work in connection therewith. He moved: "That the Presbytery thanks Mr Fitzgerald for his interesting address, and heartily commends St. Margaret's College to the prayerful sympathy and generosity of our congregations." Rev. T. Neave seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried.

Rev. P. C. Rennie reported on behalf of the Palmorston visitation, the. deputation being""the Rev. R. J. Porter and himself. The deputies received a hearty • welcome. They found the buildings all in good repair. The minister carried on his work with great fidelity and zeal, and it was characterised by deep spiritual earnestness "and a rare devotion ' to the best interests of his people and the Kingdom of God. The session gave the minister every help, and the Church affairs were well managed, the finances being conducted in a truly businesslike fashion. The finding was adopted on the motion of Rev. P. C. Rennie, seconded by Rev. R. J. Porter. Rev. J. Clarke reported that, along with Rev. P. C. Rennie, he had visited the Dimback congregation as«deputies of the Presbytery. They were pleased to find'both session and managers well represented at: the meeting, and prepared to furnish all necessary details in the most ready- and, cordial way. The .de-puties-expressed ' their hearty • appreciation of the faithful •■' and" devoted services" of" the ininister, alike in-preaching and in caring for the sick, the'''bereaved,

and tho dying. They especially cummended his work amongst the young. The kirk session thoy found sympathetic! as to the higher interests of the charge, and congratulated the congregation on the choice of such men. Rev. Mr Clarke moved and Rev. P. C. Rcnnio seconded that the finding be adopted. The motion was carried-