OAMARU PRESBYTERY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12317, 18 August 1914, Page 2

OAMARU PRESBYTERY.

A pro-re-naia mooting of -flic Oam am Presbytery was lreid in St. Paul's Hall this morning to dc-al with the call from Alburv, Timaru Presbytery, to* the Rev. J. C." Paterson, Ai.A., of itfahenn. There were present: Revs. R«nnie (Moderator), King (Presbytery olerk), Xichol, Porter, Wright, Paterson, and Wilson: Elders Don and Elder.

The call was presented by Iter. King on behalf of the Timanv Presbytery, .signed by 'l4 communicant members and 41 non-communicants. Mr King, of Pleasant Point, supported the call. He said that he came on an errand ho was afraid would not commend itself to the. Presbytery, but he came on behalf of the 'Pimarn' Presbytery and of the. •Alhiiry congregation. This was a, now one, scarcely live years old., but both people and finance were of good heart. From the very first year they had been .self-sustaining, and now the charge offered a very fine opportunity. The minister they had thought of was Mr Paterson. and he was satified ho would foster their interests in the larger schemes of the Church. His tact and Christian gentlemanliness were gifts of great value, and his fine scholarship would be a further factor in his success. The Timaru Presbytery also desired that he should come amongst them, and fissured him of support, and were certain that his entrance won Id be for the common good. Commissioners from Maheno present were Messrs ■lvjninmont (elder). Dunne. Currie, Eobertson, and Williams (managers), and Mr Allan Clark (representing tlie congregation). Mr Tvininmont said that Mr Paterson had been seven years -amongst them and had labored faithfully, well and with nrurli acceptance. He had earned the goodwill and iove of the whole people : he had been ably assisted by Mrs Paterson, who was the head of every good work in the district. He asked that the Presbytery place on record the following motion, and closed by saying that Scotch people were not usually demonstrative, but they cared for Mr Paterson as thev did for wives:—"That the Presbytery place on record, on behalf of the MahenoIneholme. session, their appreciation of Mr Paierson's ministry in the parish during the past seven year:--, and gratitude for his self-sacrificing labors in every work for the uplifting of our community." Mr Dunne said that Mi* Paterson would be a great loss to Maheno. As an office-bearer during Mr Faterson's whole term, he could speak of the thorough admiration and respect in which he was held throughout the district. He read the following minute from the congregation:—"That the congregation, having learned with deep regret of the impending removal of tho Rev. J. C. Patcn-on to the charge of another congregation, express its keen appreciation of his devotion during the seven years he has labored in Maheno and Ineholme, and of the sincerity of his example. While regretting the loss to the congregation, we feel that his decision has been the result of earnest and nrnyerinl consideration, and therefore "agree not to put any obstacle in his war. We heartily commend him and his parner in life to tha Albury congregation, and pray that in their new sphere of work the rich blessing of the Most High may attend on all their labors."

E«. Paterson wished, to thank the speakers tor the .kindness ■ shown in their remarks., and from all lie had come in contact with, at- Maheno, both to himself and to his* wife and family. He had been most happy there,_ hut one had to consider these things secondly to the work to he done. Had his oirn comfort .and peace only to be considered, lie. would remain in Mnheno. There were still messages which lie thought he could deliver to them with the knowledge which had come to lu'm during his seven years' work among them in Maheno .and Incholme. The work of the congregation was, however, a permanency, and perhaps it were' hettor that a fresh voice and new energy sho.uld carry it forward. Albtirv was not his choice, but'rather he had been chosen by the people of Albury. and lie trusted that the people there would help him to establish 'the work of God there. He would never forget the helpfulness shown him in Jfaheno. which his successor, whom he wished God-speed, he was r-ure woidd also experience. Rev. "Wright then led the Presbytery in prayer, asking blessings upon the Presbytery, its congregations, and the ministers taking up their new charges. Bev P. ,T. Porter said it was not a matter of surprise that the Albury

folks had decided in have Mr Paterson, for he had known Mr Paterson for The last, seven years, and it was seldom that, a week passed without his receiving a. call from him. He was genuine to iho corei He did not know of any minister that- had rendered the Preshyterv greater service. It had been i'eit that, the' field of the Maheno charge might with advantage be widened; even a-score of families' would make a groat difference Albury charge- was a very much wider field. While, cars were being purchased by. the gross everywhere it would be hardly fair to expect a minister to expend a year's stipend in order to get about his district- * and he hoped Mr King would influence the members of his congregation to the end that a handv little car might be obtained " for Mr Paterson, who would thus be able to visit his.people. more frequently and to be available at much shorter notice in cases of necessity. Iter. Nichol seconded the motion, with a strong conviction that the charge was a good one. and that he would have a fruitful ministry in the largei- district, while he deeply sympathised with ' Maheno friends. Mr Paterson had been a true brother in the Presbytery, and his departure would be felt. Probably Mrs Paterson was at the back of the call, for 6he was one who was quite as much valued as Mi- Paterson himself.

Rev. W. Wright thought tlie call was well placed in Mr Paterson's hands. He had done- more than his scliare of work in the Presbytery. He hoped that Mr and Mrs Paterson might be long spared to cany on the work in Aibury with the Game success which, thev had done in Maheno.

Rev. Wilson said nothing they could sav of Mr Paterson would be too high praise. He had the shy Highland reserve, but was choice in spirit. He thought the Presbytery should place a formal expression of regret on record of the sincerest regret the Presbytery felt at his departure. Mr King (said that the congregation had ploughed four acres of the Glebe, ,/md had done all they could to make 'his incoming comfortable. The Moderator said that Mr Paterson was one who had done great work spiritually and as a citizen. He never wished to sit under a better minister. The Presbytery might get a minister who would supply the spiritual needs of Maheno, but as a Presbyter bis place would be hard to fill. In placing the call in the hands of Mr Paterson did so with the greatest regret. He hoped that Mr and Mrs Paterson would receive the same kindness and generosity at Albury that for seven years he had experienced at Maheno. The severance of the pastoral tie was fixed for the 24th inr,t. ; the social committee being entrusted with the duty of arranging a farewell function. Rev. R. J. Porter drew the attention of the Presbytery to the work to be don in connection with the troops nowleaving our shores, and announced certain arrangements that had been made for their spirtiual welfare at the front. He urged ministers to see that lads were provided with testaments. ' Rev. Nichol then asked a blessing upon our forces and for speedy peace.