DUNBDIN PRESBYTERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14701, 8 December 1909, Page 7

DUNBDIN PRESBYTERY

The regular meeting of tlio Dunedin Presbytery, held yesterday, was attended by about 30 members, and was presided over by the Moderator, the Rev. D. K. Fisher. GENEKAL. Several commissions in respect lo representative elders were sustained. The customary discussion took place as lo the order in which the business should il» taken, and continued until evident signs of weariness on the part of those who had not taken part in it caused tho matter to drop. Tno Rev. K, E. Davies, of Knox Church, was welcomed by the Presbytery, and was extended" flic right hand of fellowship. Mr Davits brielly expressed his gratitude for and appreciation of the welcome accorded him. On the application of the Hcv. J. Kilpatrick, who spoke on behalf of tho Kcv. Mr Todd, of Middlemarch, the Presbytery sanctioned the formation of a kirk session in the Uindon and Deep Stream district. In connection with an application for a manse at Purakanui, it was resolved that the question of a manse for tho whole district be referred to a committee to go into the whole position. Mr Matthew Millar wrote applying for permission to work as a homo missionary. —Referred to a small committee to make inquiries, and if it thought lit receive MiMillar. The Rev. .1. Kilpatrick, convener of the Church Extension Committee, brought' before the Presbytery the fact that a large number oi men were at present employed s>n the City Corporation's works at Waipori, and it was agreed to appoint a committee to arrange, if possible, to have services conducted at Waipori. ' Dr J. Q. A. Henry wrote from Los Angeles, California, as to a proposed evangelistic campaign to the Dominion by himself and Professor P. P. Rilliorn. Tho plan was to begin at Auckland in April next, and to devote at least nine inomhs lo work in Now Zealand and Australia. I Their work wns interdenominational and i thoroughly evangelical in its characlcr. | The intention was to .spend three full weeks in every important centre visited, and the writer slated that they desired united missions with the largest, ilojjrco of cooperation on the part, of all evangelical churches.—lt was resolved that the Presbytery appoint a deputation to wait upon the Council of Churches, and report to the EvangKlistr-ic Committee, tho committee and tho deputation to have power to decide for the Presbytery in tho matter. In connection with the scheme tor training Sunday school teachers it was resolved lo rescind a resolution (Kissed in October disapproving of tho scheme, and to reconsider the scheme at tho March meeting. The Rev. A. Cameron moved that nine months' leave of absence bo granted Dr Nisbet, and that Dr Watt be appointed Moderator of First Church for that jieriod. The mover said he regretted tho necessity for tho absence of Dr Nisbet, ; and expressed sympathy with him in his illness, and hoped he would bo speedily restored to health.—The motion was carried. the mx a. cameiiox's srai-iCßitxr.. Tho Rev. J. Chiskolm referred 1.1 ike fact tliat it was the Rev. A. Cau.e.vii'.s semi-jubilee in Church work. _ lie had been a good shepherd of Christ's flock ami it good citizen. Ho moved—' 1 Tnafc the Presbytery congratulates the Ue-v. Andrew Came;on on the attainment oi his semi-jubilee in tho work of the miiijtiy; notes _ with pleasure Ihe testimony borne |j> his own congregation to his fiti.lty as a pastor; recognises the valuable service he has iv.-udc.rcd to the whole Church in connection with tho founding ami equipment of Knox College, and hopes tba-t, he may be long spared to eiown his past record with still higher service."— Mr Cameron having expressed his thanks, tho motion was carried unanimously aiir.d acclamation. THE CANTEEN. The Rev. \V. Scorgie moved—"That this Prcsbylcry enters ils emphatic protest against the Government's proposal lo open canteens ill connection with tlio milllury camps for coninulfiory training of the youth of tho Dominion." The, Rev. R. Fairmaid, in seconding tho motion, said it wa-s it scandal, and should be put down with a strong hand, 'ioj many of our young fellows had been led to drunkenness through the very same tiling. They had examples in various tptarters. Boats luitl ben urn down through drunkenness, and no wonder there was an objection to our .-ons becoming Volunteers when such a, scandal was piomokd in high plao.e. The Rev. A. Cameron said he thcirilit, they tJiould do something move than pass i mere resolution, and the Rev. J. (_'ni>liollti said it would bo moved alteiwa.ds that copies of the evolution be sent u> tho Prime Minister and city niom'Leiv. The Uev. Mr Kilpatrick said he iln.-ugiit they idiould lose no time, as it, bill was before- the House, but should wire. T'iu-ie was nothing to argue about the maKer. It was a downright shame that their sons should be tempted in that way. If they must defend their country, they must defend their sons. The Rev. Mr Cameron said they should ask the deputation that was to wait upon tho Council of lhurclu-s to unite with the Preabytcry in ils protest. The Rev. Mr liorrie suggested that it should be added to the motion that tlio oflioc-bearers and congregations be askeii to send in their protest, and this was agreed to. Tho Rev. Mr Chif.holm said it was well that they should bring all tho influence to bear in every possible way upon Parliament. If parous knew that their sons ivere to bo brought into such temptation they would begin to Icok upon this compulsory military training with very great disfavour. The motion, with the addition proposed by Mr Borrie, was carried, and it was further resolved that copies oi tlu motion bo sent to the Pititio Minister auu city members.