DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6739, 20 September 1883, Page 4

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

■ The Presbytery of Dunedin held a,pro re nata meeting yesterday to take what steps.were necessary in consequence of the death of the Rev. Lindsay Mackio. There were present Revs. H. E. Michie .(moderator), Dr Stuart, W. WiU, J. M; Sutherland, C. S. Ross, R. R. M. Sutherland, J. Ryley, W. Campbell, J. Frazer-Hurst, A. M. Finlayson (ministers), and Dr Copland (elder). Dr Copland, referring to the late Mr Maokie, said: I cannot allow this 'occasion to pass without expressing the sorrow I feel, along with other members of Presbytery, on account of the death.of pur brother Mr Mackio. Having been associated with him in many ways ever Bince he came to this city about nine years ago, I bad the fullest opportunities of judging of his character and work. 'He .was pre-eminently a good man. His ruling passion was to* spend and be spent in the service of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The advancement of Christ's kingdom and the promotion of the highest wellbeing of bis fellows was his constant endeavour. As a preacher, he strove by careful preparation and an earnest and heartfelt style of preaching rightly to divide the Word of Life; while as a pastor he diligently visited the families of his congregation, and with tender sympathy ministered instruction and comfort to the sick and the dying, the downcast and sorrowing. He devoted much attention to the young, and succeeded in winning their affections, so that hia Bible classes were largely attended, and hia special sermons to the children were highly appreciated by them. Beyond the limits of his congregation, too, he showed the same zealous interest in their welfare. He rendered much assistance to the Young Men's and Young Womea's Christian Associations, and took an active part in giving Bible instruction to the young in the public Bcboels. He sought to encourage the circulation of the Bible and the diffusion of Christian literature by his active support of the Bible Society and the Bx>k and Tract Depot, and by his laborious work of editing for a- considerable time the New Zealand Christian Record. His sympathy and zealous assistance were given> to evangelistic, missionary, and church extension movements in connection with the Synod, the congregation; and other bodies outside. Although an anxious and careful observer of all public events and movements transpiring around him, he refrained from taking a very prominent share in them, owing partly; to his very sensitive temperament, and to his time and strength being otherwise fully, occupied, but chiefly because he ever felt that his special duty was to give himself wholly to the work of winning souls to Christ. While opportunity lasted no laboured to the utmost of his strength, and even bayond it, in seeking to accomplish this noble end, and it may be truly said of him aa of the apostle, " For him to live was Christ, and to die was gain." Now that his work is ended and he aas gone to bis reward, I may. express the hope, which we all share, that the memory of his devoted life may yield comfort to his mourning widow,'and be a stimulus in future years to sustain his children, in the way of righteousness, and I am sure it is our fervent prayer that the Master whom he served so faithfully may be their shield and protector to the end of their life journey. ;

The following minuto was adopted by the Presbytery:— The Presbytery record with deep regret the doath of the Rev. Lindsay MacWe, minister of the First Church, in the fortieth year of his age, and thirteenth of his ministry. They acknowledge with much thankfulneßS tha good work which he waß enabled to accomplish during his pastorate of nearly nine yoars in Dunedin, tho brotherly kindness and mutual osteom which characterised all hia intercourse with tho members of the Presbytery, thereverenco towards God and love for eouls which inspired his whole life, the zeal and earnestness which animated him in all his labours as a minister of the Gospel in seeking to win soule to Christ, the deep and kindly interest

which he took in the young," and the succcm which attended his efforts to promote their spiritual wellbeing. Further, the Presbytery, while mourning the early removal of their honoured brother, and bowing with deep reverence to this visitation of the Providence of God, rejoice in the assurance they cherish that ' for him to live was Christ, and to die was Rain'; express their deep sympathy with Mrs Mackie and her children in the great loss which they have sustained, and earnestly pray that the God of all consolation may make His grace sufficient for them in this hour of trial. Purther, the Presbytery desira to express their sympathy with the congregation of the First Church in tbe removal of their pastor." The Presbytery appointed Dr Salmond to be Moderator of the First Church Session during the vacancy, and directed him to intimate the vacancy on Sabbath first.