DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14678, 11 November 1909, Page 2

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

The ordinary monlhly meeting of the lJunediu I'resbytery, held vosforday afternoon, was attended by the Moderator (the n • ,„?• lrisller )> 23 ministers, and 10 elders. J.lie Moderator of the General Assembly [Die Rev. Isaac .lollv. of Palmer, ston .North) mis cordially associated with the i'resbytery.

A memorial minute relative to Hie death of the Hev. John Waters, who for nearly 6U years was connected.with the Presbytery, was recorded

a .Noimi island car.. The call from Marliiiborough to the Row K (... retinoid was lirst dealt with. The call having been read by the clerk, the Kcv. Mr Lymburii said ho had been selected by the Wellington Presbytery as its representative in connection with the call, lie bad been at Martinborough. A minister there would not. enjoy the dignity of being a naval chaplain, but the livincr was not overshadowed by tho English Church, like so many places in the North Island. Mr Tennent, had had large experience in horsemansbip, and would find it useful at Martinbeirough. Tho place would suit Mr Tennent, who in turn would suit the pltiCO. The Row James Chisholm, as also reprojeiitinff the Wellington Presbytery, said Martinboroiigh was a very wide and*necessitous district, and one which it was in every way desirable to keep attached to the Church. In view of the exodus front south to north, it. seemed to the speaker that as much _as possible should be done in this direction, in the North Island. lie was sure that Mr Tennent would do good work, and that his choice had been a wise one. The speaker had presided at a well-attended meeting last Sunday evening. One could sec that Mr Tenncnfc had secured for himself a wnrm place in the affections of the people of Port Chalmers. Mr Tennent had been diligent and faithful, and the people had appreciated his labours and would be sorry to part with him. At this meeting a resolution had been passed to the effect; that this meeting of . the Presbyter-inn Church of Port Chalmers, having received information that its pastor had been called to Marfinborcugh. and that be had decided to accept, the same, took this opportunity of voicing its hearty appreciation of his many good works and good qualities for the 13j years he had been among them, The resolution was read in full by Mr John Tait (session clerk, Port Chalmers), who went on to say that he looked upon Mr Tennent in the light of a personalfriend. He would lie sorry in one way to see him go, but he believed h« was taking a wise stop at .the present time. Mr Tennent- would take with him the goodwill of the whole congregation. Captain Thomson said that Mr Tennent came to them when the church was in broken water—he hoped he might be excused for using semi-nautical metaphors. The speaker went on to describe the progress made in all deiiartment-s of the Port Chalmers Church during Mr Tonnont's ministry. I

Captain M'Callu'm said that when Mr Tonnent'accepted this'call he was very much disappointed. Ho had understood that, Mr Tennent would not accept, the call, and I hat the matter was settled. However, Mr Tonnent would seem to have reconsidered his previous decision. Ho carried with liitn the sincere good wishes of nil. Mr Clejrhorn also spoke i M support of the call, and expressed admiration for Mr Tenlien t's deeds and character.

Mr Tcnnent said that a strong conviction hiul teen forcing itself upon liim during the last your or two that, it would be wise to resign in favour of some younger man. Some had been influenced by bis work; others had not. and these his successor might bo able to reach. For (.ho good of I lie people ho believed the step was a wise ono.

Air. Finlaysou moved, and Mr Borne seconded—" That the call be placed in Mr Tennent's hands,"

The call having been accepted, the pastoral tie was dissolved, os from the last Sunday in Novoniber.

It was resolved, 0)1 tho motion of Mr Chisholni, seconded bv Dr Nicolson— "That Mr Gray, of North-East Valley, be appointed Moderator of the Port 'Chalmers Church." . LICENTIATES. Licences were granted to Messrs Alevnndor If. Allan, Thomas N. Cuttle, Alexnnder Hardie, and N. D. Nicolson. The Moderator, in addressing- the licentiate.-, reminded them of the passage in one of St... Paul's epistles: "We arc tho ambnssadors of Olirisl." Professor Howitson said it might interest Iho Presbytery to know that these were the first residential students of Kirx College lo receive licenses. These gentlemeit had exercised a most excellent influence in tlw college, both as men and ay students. Unless Mr Cuttle had shown great courage and -pertinacity he would not havo ten there that day. Two of the licentiates were to go to the homo mission fiold and two to tho foreign mission. GENERAt. A letter from the Prime Minister was read appointing Dr Nisbet and the Rev. ft C. Torment visiting Presbyterian ministers to seamen of the Royal navy and marines when at Port Chalmers.

Several maiters of tontine wore dealt with. The no.u ordinary meeting of tibePresbytery will be held on the fir's! Tues day in December, at 10.15 a.m.