PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13862, 27 March 1907, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

THE ANNUAL SITTING.

Tho Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland met in First Church last evening, tho Moderator (tho Rev. R. J. Porter) presiding. Communion service Had held, ami tho moderator preached. ' THE bom.

The roll was called by Ihe clerk of tho synod, tho following answering to their names:— Prcsbvtorv of Dunedin.—Ministers: The Revs. W. Will, A. M. Fmlavson, R. R. M. Sutherlrnd, J. Christie, D. Borrie, Dr .T. Dunlop, D. Button, I. K. M'lnlvro, E. C. Tcnnenl, R. I'airniaid, Dr. W. M. Nicholson, R. Maekie, J. J. Cairnej, .las. Chisholm, J. Kilpatrick, Dr T Nishel, J. Eiwin, and Ilobt Wood. Elders: Mcssis P. Anderson, W. Ilcudcr.'-on, W. 11. Adams, D. Thonwm, and A. Rcss. Preslntcry of Clutha.—Ministers: The Hevs, R, S Allan, S. D. Curric, J. S. Pender, and W. H. Howes Elders: Me-<,rs A. Simpson, .T. Taylor, T. 11. RunHI, E. JSovd. D. Ryrio, C. R. Smith, and Jas. R«id., Pic.sbvtcr'y. of Southland. — Ministers: Rovs. Evan Bi.s c ett, ,la*. Gumming, D. K. Fiiihor. E J Carter, and A. D. Kirkland. Elders: Messrs Geo. Dawson and Robt. Brown. Piosbvtery of Oamaru.—Ministers: Revs. R. S. Porf"r, Jno. Steven, and Tho« RosoX voaie. Elders: Messrs Wm. Stcwail, Itolil Jackson, and Jas Findjay. Prcsbvtcij of Dtmstan.—Ministers: Revs. J. M'Ccsh Smith. J. 0. Gellic, A. Watboii, and J. Gordon M'Leed. Prcsbvteiy of Mataur.i. — Ministers: Revs. G. 11. Jupp and G. M'Donald. Elders: Messrs G. Moncur and Jno. M'Phail. KLKCTIOX OF MODERATOR. The Moderator said bofoie proposing their new moderator ho would like to thank them very heartily for electing him to tho chair for the jcar just closed. He would liLo also to apologise for his absence last year, and whilo ho was on hie feet he wo dd expierfi his indebtedness lo the Rev. Mr Cliisholm for <akin? his place, and the Rev. Dr. Nisbet for c o j;indlv reading his litllo addict He had great pleasure in piopcing ihat the moderator for this vcar be tho Rev. D. Dutton, of Cavcrsliam. Ho was well known to all of them, and for 20 years had done excellent work in his church and in tho church courts, and ho though! in honouring Mr Dutton tho Synod of Otago was honouring itself. The Rev. 1). Button thanked the svned very heartily for the honour it had conferred upon" him in calling him to preside over its meetings. He had never ardently desired any of tho chief °cats in tho synagogue, vet ho could assure them no ono could appreciate more than he did tho confidence and kindness the fathers and bicthren had shown in their election of himself to this position He was told bv Ihc clerk Ihat they had no lccord of deaths during tho nast Tear in the ranks of tho ministry This was a matter for -tha.ukfulnces to God. Ho did not know the position with legard to eldeis, but understood there was no record. Ho might say, however, that one elder who had been a member of the synod last jcar leprcFonting Ins conjugation had during tho year packed away Mr Wm. M'Lcod was well known in Ihc Dunedin Presbytery, ' ami served the Church as an elder for very many jcars in every way to commend Hmsolf lo Ihe congregation in which he sorvod as an elder, and he (tho speaker) thought lo tho Presbytery of Dunedin. of which he was very frequently a member representing Ihc Cavcrsham Church. Mr M'Lcod had been called away very suddenly, but he (tho speaker) did not know of any man who was better nrepaied lo go than his dear old friend. Ho was sure they wero all delighted toliavo Ihoir fneiid the retiring moderator with them. They all doeplv deplr.Tccl the cncuinstanccs which prevented him oecunjing the position to which tho synod had called him at its last meeting. Thev were delighted ho was pretent. and their earnest prayer was thai the blessing of find might lest. upon him and that ho might bavo pood health and good cheer. Ho (Mr Dutlon) would not take ui> time- further than to say he had been a member of the svnod tor 21 years. He need not inform them tho court had been shorn very much of it>3 glory. They remembered the addiest-cs delivered from' Iho inoderatoi's chair m times nast. He could not hope to follow worthily in the steps of so manv who had Rone .before him and ho thought Ihev were to be congialulated t'pon the ananeemeiit tint was com? to al the last svnod. They did not know what they had escaped. —IT.aughler and applause.) The svnod adjourned to meet at 10 o'clock next morning.