DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14800, 6 April 1910, Page 3

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Tho ordinary, meeting o[ the Dunedin Presbytery was hold yesterday; present— Revs. D. K. Fisher (Moderator). .T-Obis-holm,. J. Kilpatrick, R, Fairmaid, W. iSoorgie, R. 11. M. Sutherland, A. M. Finlayson (clerk), J. J. G'airney, A. Don, J. Aitkon, I. K. M'lntyrc, W. M'Donald, J. Lymbiini, Dr Nicolsoh', Dp Watt, J. Chris' tic, A. Wliyte, A. W. Kinmont, J. Erwin, ministers; Captain D. M'C'nllurn, Messrs W. Crawley, J. Blair, W. S. Fitzgerald, W. L. llid<lcll, W. H. Adams, G. Reid, J. Smaill, D. Barron, W. Ralston, J. Neill, R. Loishman, A. Ross, elders. The Rev. Mr Chandler, of Wanaka, being present, was associated with the Presbytery. rHESIIYTERIAI, VISITATION', Rev. Mr Fairmaid, as convener of the Committee on Presbytorial Visitation, reported on this matter. He said he had appointed a mooting for that morning, which only the convener attended. Several reasons were given why members could not attend the meeting, and it was stated that the committee, was appointed as far back as 1907. Mr Fairmaid said he hoped 6ome other names would bo added to the committee, and mentioned! that Mr Lymburn was having a social meeting in connection with his church shortly, and wished tho members of the committee to visit his church on that, occasion, so (hat they might address the meeting. First Church, St. Stephen's, and Chalmers Churches had been visited, and North-East Valley, Kaikorai, and St. Andrews were next on the list for visitation. The matter was referred back to tho committeo that the congregations not visited as arranged for should be visited. Tho committee was agreed to as follows: ! Revs. Duttor,, Scorgic, Erwin, M'Donald, Fairmaid, Messrs W. S. Fitzgerald, and G. Reid. REMITS FROM OEXEP.AL ASSEHBLT. The matter of the visitation of home mission stations was referred to the following committee—Rev6. Chisholm, Fairmaid, and Kilpatrick (convener). '■ The grading of home missions and stations was ordered to stand over to a future meeting. . Tho| remit on the marriage of foreign missionaries was agreed to. REV. MB CMSHOLSt's RESIGNATION.

Rev. Dr Watt, on behalf of Rev. Mr Borne and himself, presented the following minute expressive of service to the Church of Rev. J. Chisholm, who is about to retire from active work:—

"In a<(3cpting with regret the Eev. James Chisholm's demission, owing to impaired health, of the pastorate of the Roslyn Presbyterian Church, the Presbytery desires to place on record its high sense of the worth of Mr Chisholm's character, and of the value of his service to the Presbyterian Church in this end of the Dominion. Mr Chisholm was inducted into the pastorate of the Milton congregation 10 years ago, and he laboured in that chargo with distinguished success for nearly 30 years. He was surrounded and hcli>ed by a noble bind of office-bearers, and under his wise leadership the Milton congregation was, as it has still continued to be. m the van ot our country congregations, distinguished for the Christian intelligence of its membership, for its warm evangelical zeal, and for its loyal and generous support of all the schemes of the Church. On Mr Cliishohn's resignation of Milton he was settled and did good work in the rising town of Palmerston North. On leaving Palmcrston North ho was called to the new extension charge of Roslyn, in which he has faithfully laboured for the last nine years, gathering around him' a largo and attached congregation and with its cooperation building a handsome church and a commodious manse. Mr Chisholm's pulpit ministrations have been of a very high order, and by his wisdom and kindness lie has .endeared himself in no ordinary measure as a pastor to o'.d and young attending on his ministry. In the jubilee year of the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland on express request made to him, Mr Chisholm conferred a favour on the churches of our order in this end of the Dominion by consenting to write the story of our various congregations, narrating when thej had been severally founded, and by whom they wore first ministered to as pastors. Mr Chisholm executed his task with great tact and spirit, and his interesting book will remain a valuable mine of information to all desirous in tho coming years to acquaint themselves with the origin of the Presbyterian Church of, Otago and Southhind. Two years ago Mr Chisholm was called to the chair of the General Assembly of tho Presbyterian Church,, and presided over the deliberations of the Supreme Court of our Church in such a way as to win for him the Warm esteem of his ecclesiastical brothers. Mr Chisholm has always taken a very active interest in tho management ot the affairs of our Church. Tor one year he served as acting-convener of the Foreign Missions Committee, and for some time he was tho convener of the Home. Mission Committee. Mr Chisholm's co-presbyters feel honoured to have been associated with him. Aiways courteous towards those whe differed in opinion from him, calm in judgment, honourable in every" seuse of the term, he has impressed all coming into contact with him with the conviction that he never sought any personal ends, but that the master-passion of his .heart .has been to serve the Divine Master, (and to be an honoured instrument in building up and extending His kingdom in the world. The Presbytery earnestly prays that God may continue more and more to lift upon our beloved brother the light of His countenance, lilling his soul with the peace the world can neither give nor take away, and that our brother may be spared for many coming years to. give the benefit of his wise counsel to the Church that he loves and that he has so faithfully and nobly served." it was rcsolvd to approve of the minute, to record it in the minutes of the Presbytery, and to forward a copy to the Rev, Mr Chisholm. Mr Chisholm thanked the Prrabtyery for the all too appreciative recognition of the work he had performed for the Church during his connection with it.

I'UHAKANUI. Re.-. Mr Scorgie reported having visited along with Kov. D. Dutton and Mr D. Barron, the proposed site for a manse at Purakniiui. They found that the site was not in the market. He recommended reconsideration of the whole matter. It was resolved to refer the question to a committee to look into the whole matter in the interests of the various congregations in tho neighborhood, tho committee to consist of Kevs. Whyto (convener), Finlayson, and C'airney, and tho elders of their respective sessions. TIIAIWJN6 SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHEBS. Mr A, Wilson, lion, secretary of the Dune-din Presbyterian Sabbath School Association, wrote stating that the Executive' Committee of the Association, recognising the importance that was now being attached to work among the young, and particularly the work in Sabbath schools, and being desirious of a closer acquaintance between the ministers and superintendents throughout the Presbtyery, had arranged /or a conference to be held on the evening of May 3. The Rev. H, E. Davks would speak on "Tho Relation of tho Minister and Church to the Sabbath School."

The letter was received, and the invitation to the conference was accepted. Mr Wilson also wrote stating that at a meeting of the Executive Committee a discussion took place on the desirability of establishing n central training class " for Sunday school teachers. It wa6 decided to ask the Presbytery to take the matter inio consideration, una, if thought advisable to arrange for some of its members to lecture to a central class or classes on the subjects set by. the Assembly's committee for this ycar-riiamcly, "The Books of the Now Testament" and "Sabbath School Methods,"

Uev. Mr Kilpatrick said it would be well to have such a class where teachers from various Sunday classes in and near Diiiiediu could go up for examination when the timo came.. The-books set made it absolutely necessary that teaches bo apHo moved,—" That, a committee be appointed, consisting of Kevs. Chisholm, Borrie, and the mover, and Mr W: I. Fitzgerald, with power to act." It might be possible to start classes before the next meeting of the Presbytery. The motion was agreed to. Kt'f. Mr Cairnev reminded members of tho ■ l'resbytwy that the Assembly's examination of Sabbath schools had been lixed for the Bth July, and the committee would like ministers and elders to take an interest in tho examination and encourage as many of the scholars as possible to enter for it. At present it seemed to be It'M to the choice of the scholars themselves whether they entered for the examination, whe.i with a little encouragement from-ministers and superintendents many more might enter The Moderator said, no doubt the ministers and elders would take note of tho intimation. CEXEIUI, It was agreed that in tuture the Presbytery meet at 10.15 a.m. The supply of Waipori was referred to a coi!iniitt.>» oonsistimr of the Taieri ministers (Row \v\ Sponoe, convenor), nex' iin-cting w.i.s fixed for the first l'i- •-!<:> ,!i May at 10.15 ».m.