DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9133, 4 June 1891, Page 4

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Tho Diraedin Presbytery met in the hall of First Church yesterday. Bederunt—Revs. B. Hutson (Moderator), Dr Stuart, VV. Will, A.M. Finlayson (clerk). 'A. P. Davidson, J. Gibson Smith, J. M. Fraser, R. R. M. Sutherland, D. Borrie, A. Don, J. M. Sutherland, J. Gibb, R. J. Porter, D. Dutton, J. M. M'Kerrow, W. Campbell, J. Kirkland, R. Waddell, J. Ryley, J. Christie— ministers; Messrs A Catherwood, J. Haddon, J. Paterson, W. Hutton, and D. Thomson —elders. The Rev. S. W. Currie, of Balelntha, being present, was associated with tho presbytery. evangelistic; mission. The Rev. John M'Neil reported himßelf as being engaged within the presbytery's bounds, at tho invitation of tb.6 Dunedin brethren, doing the work of an evangelist. On tho motion of tho Ror. D. Bobbie—" That tho letter of tho Rev. John M'Neil be received," tlia presbytery expressed satisfaction at Mr M'Neil's presence, and prayed that tho blessing of God might abundantly rest upon him and his labour. In tho course of a general discussion that followed, The Rev. D. Bonnw moved—"That the Presbytery request the Evangelistic Committee of Victoria to allow Mr M'Neil to remain for six weeks longer." The matter dropped, however, without any farther resolution being adopted on the subject. I.EAVB OF ABSENCE. A lotter was received from the Rev. A. Cameron, of Anderson's Bay, forwarding an application for rest. Two months ago, he wrote, his voice failed him and still required rest, as it was now reduced to a whisper. Messrs W. S. Fitzgerald and W. Soraervillo appeared as deputies from the Anderson's Bay congregation in support of the application. Mr Fitzoerald, addressing the presbyttry, said the case was certainly urgent. Mr Cameron was entirely unfit for duty; to attempt duty now might unfit him for duty for life, and, indeed, when a clergyman was afflicted as Mr Cameron was, it was of tho utmost necessity that a perfect euro should be effected before he resumed duty. The office bearers had done what they could during the last two months to fill the pulpit and, as it was their duty, they now brought the matter before the church and aeked if they would grant Mr Cameron leave of absence and assist them ia the matter of church servioe.

Mr SoaiERViiLE supported Mr Fitzgerald's statement, and stated it was now scarcely possible to communicate with Mr Cameron except through the medium of a slate. Dr Siuabt rose to express his sympathy with Mr Cameron in the visitation that had come upon him. He had always thought that Mr Cameron undertook too much work, and he had always told him so. Mr Cameron did a lot of congregational work very effectively, and also did a great deal outside. He had made hie influence felt very much in the church, and especially in the presbytery; and the speaker deeply regretted that they would lose hiß help for a period. He believed that the presbytery would cordially agree with the request of the congregation and give Mr Cameron leave of absence, and supply the Anderson's Bay pulpit during his absance. He moved—" That the presbytery grant the Key. Mr Cameron cis months' leave of absence, express its sympathy with him in his present affliction, and its hope that ho may be speedily and fully restored tc health." The Key. W, Will endorsed what Dr Stiiart bad said, in seconding the motion, which was supported by the Rev. J. Qibb and carried. The Eev. Mr Datton was appointed moderator of the Anderson's Bay congregation during Mr Cameron's absence, and it was agreed that members of the presbytery should supply the pulpit in rotatioD in the order of names on tbe roll. Mr Fitzsebald returned thanks to the presbytery on behalf of the congregation for the cordiality with which they had received the request, and for the sympathy they had expressed to the minister. fEBSBTTBBIAt. VISITATION. The Bbv. J. M. Fbasee submitted the following report from the Presbyterial Visitation Committee: — Your committee, as Instructed .by the presbytery, visited the following congregations within the bounds: — Moruington, Kaikoral, Mosglel, Bait Taierl, West Taterl, Borth Taieri, Q-reen Island, and the home mission field of Brighton and Kurl in oonneotlon with the latter charge. Ab there were no Bpeoial initructloDß given by the presbytery (or the committee's guidance, a list o! queries was drawn out, »uoh ao, when answered by the office-bearers, would enable your committee in Its episcopal capaolty to ascertain the state of eaoh congregation, and report to the presbytery accordingly. Your committee have now to report that they had met, in the first instance, with the omnß-bflanwa

of each congregation, and that the replies given to the queries put were such ai to satisfy your committee that the work of the church 1b carried on with efflclenoy and harmony; and that though no ipecial efforts were used beyond the ordinary etated work of the ministry, a satisfactory number of young communicants is being added periodically to the membership of the church. The Sabbath services were found to be generally well attended—one only returning the anwer that the attendance " might bebetter," A general complaint, however, prevailed among the churches visited as to the poor attendance at tha prayer meeting. It was cheering, on the other band, to learn that the " famiiy'prayer meeting," or family worship, was, especially in the country charges, pretty generally kept. Sabbath echools and Bible ctaases In connection with all the churches were found to be doing good work, while in eomo cases—North and Weit Taierl —the minsters hold Bible classes twice weekly, and Hoiglel onep weekly, in the State Bchools, with much acceptance and success. On the whole, your committee are thankful to be able to report so favourably upon tbfi fpiritual condition of the congregations visited. In regard to finanolal matters it is gratifying to learn that the churobes visited are all virtually out of debt, and that most of the properties are vcßted in the Church Board of Property. The church dflor collections are la all cases fairly satisfactory, but there is a general complaint, however, as to the uaeatlsfaotory contributions to the euatentation fund, suoh ai to call for tho serlouß consideration of the pntbytery, if not of the ajnod. Your committee, when meeting with the congregations, in the secopd instance, did not negleot to lay such Btresa, In the addresses delivered, upon the matter as, it is hoped, will result in Borne improvement. In oln«Iug. your committee have to thank ministers, office bearers, and the congregations visitel for the readiness with which the information sought was given, and for the kindness with which, in every instance, membeK of the committee were received. Tho report waa adopted, with thanks to the committee and the convener. APPLICANTS FOB ADMISSION. The following motion, sent down by the synod, was considered: —" That in future ministers from other denominations applying to be received as ministers of this church shall not be open for employment until thsy have been raceived by the synod." On the motion of the Rev, D. Bobeib, seconded by Dr Stuaut, It was agreed that the proposed regulation ba approved. OBSCENE LITEBATORE. The Rev. R. Waddell said ho had a motion to bring forward which related to the circulation of corrupt and immoral literature. He did not know if any members of the presbytery had read two articles by Dr Truby King, superintendent of the Seacliff Asylum, which appeared some time ago in the New Zealand " Medical Journal." These articles were to him a vary great revelation, and ha thought if any member of the presbytery read them they must also bo of the same opinion. The extent to whioh immoral literature was being circulated throughout the colony was not only serious but alarming. Mr Faltcn called attention to the matter in the House, and made a statement that obscene and immoral publications were being circulated in Wellington at the rate of 300 copies a week. Advertisements referring to "vigour," "manhood," See., in the newspapers also had tn insidious effect. Under the circumstances he would move-^" Thia presbytery haying had its attention called to certain articles contained in the' Now Zealand Medical Journal' relating to the circulation of literature of a dangerous and widespread character within this colony, and the substantial accuracy of the fact 3in these articles having been corroborated by resolutions passed unanimously by the local branches of the Medical Society in Bunedin, Christchurcb, WellingfcoD, and Auckland, views with alarm the existence of this evil, and believes prompt action should be taken for its suppression j further, in view of the fact that the New Zealand Medical Association in its recent meeting in Nelson had passed a motion asking the Government to move in the matter, this presbytery respectfully and earnestly urges the Government to accede to tho request of the association and take such steps as may seem wisest to abate sod suppress tho evil in question." The Rev. J. Gibb seconded the motion. It wag the duty of the ohurch to abate the evil, and if they could not do anything just now in stopping it they could lift up their voices and speak all they oould against it. Whon he heard people speaking so strongly against drink, and it pas right they should do so, it struck him that the rock on which the colony would strike, if it sticuck at all, would be lust, and in the face of all the circumstances the presbytery should protost against the enormous evil.

The Ruv. Dr Stoaet suggested that the managers of tho newspapers in which the advertisements appeared should be approached with reference to refusing their insertion.

The Rev. R. Waddell said that the manager p£ the Otago Daily Times had been spoken to on the subject, and the result was that all such advertisements were refused, at n great pecuniary loss. The Rev. Dr Stuart could speak of the large amount of indecent literature that was in existence. The church should band together in some manner; but how to abate it bo did not know. A well-known authority at Home suggested early marriages as the remedy, and for himself he would say that he was of opinion that the only escape from the licentiousness that preceded national downfall was early marriages. Whether the Legislature could j help or not he did Dot know, but at any rate to approach that body was a step in the right direction. The Rev. J. Gibs thought that they, as ministers, had been too frightened to speak out in the pulpit on this matter. The Rev. J. M. Fkaseh said the 6vil spoken of was the onrso of the United States, and the Government had taken it in hand to Bee that no immoral literature passed through the

post office. It had been proved that at one time more than half the literature onttisd by the post office was of an immoral nature. If the Postmaster- general was approaohed he might put a Btop to a deal of the circulation in the same way as he h»d dealt with consultslion?,

The motion was carried unanimously, and it was agreed to have it signed by the members of the presbytery and forwarded to the Colonial Secretary, GENERAL MATrEBS. An application was made from the Managing Committee at Mosgiel for a grant of £50 for church repairs.—On the motion of the Rev. D. Bobbie, seconded by Dr Stctabt, it was agreed —"That a committee be appointed to visit Mosgiel and report on the state of the church building, the committoe to consist of the Revs. Will, Kirkland, and J. M. Sutherland (convener)." The Rev. D. Bobbie moved, and the Rev. D. Rtley seconded, and it was resolved—"That tho remit on the admission of students to the Theological Hall be referred to a committee to report on to next meeting—viz., Reva. Dr Stuart, Will, Qibb, Finlayson, and Borrie (convener)."

After considering some matters in private, the presbytery adjourned, to meet on the first Wednesday in August.