DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16120, 8 July 1914, Page 2

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Tho l'rosbytory of Dunedin mot in First Clwreh J.id.jl yesterday morning, 'iiio Moderator (LUt ltev. Iv.. Scott Allau) piusldul.

liw Presbytery expressed sympathy with lino relative* ot tin, , into Mr it. vjhisliolin, and a commutes was appointed to draw up a meitiui'utl minute.

A letter was received from tho Salvation Army in reply to a motion of sympathy iroui tik; Presbytery in connection witii Uie loss sustained by tne Army in connection with tho sinking of tiiu liner Empress of Ireland.

On the motion of Mr W. S. Fitzgerald the Moderator was instructed to Sign a' paragraph stating that tiio Presbytery coneented to a mortgage of £2600 in respect of tho St. Margaret's College property, and an agreement to mortgage for £5000. lio explained that tho procedure was necessary, and that the matter would also have to como before tho Synod. JUBILEE OV nil WATT. Tho following minute with regard to Dr Walt'e juuiioo was read Dy toe clerk, tne Kov. J. Chisnolm;—•' un too occasion of tue jubilee of Uie Kev. AUciiael Watt, D.h., a, loved and reverend minister of tno Presbyterian Church of JNew Zealand, and an esteemed member of tlio Dunedin Presbytery irom tae tune of <his settlement in Ureun island until now, the Presbytery desires to expires its hearty appreciation ot tlie sterling qualities oi mind and heart whicli ho lias consistently mamfested, and tho valuable services wiudh he has continuously rendered, amid the many changes of a young and rapidly-growing community. Along with hie pastoral work, whioU was always characterised by thorougnness and efficiency, ho was appointed at an early stago of his career as a theological tutor ol candidates for tho ministry. .For several years alter tho honorary title of professor had been conferred upon him !he continued to discharge tho duties pertaining to both pastorate and professorship. The burden so cheerfully borne had, however, in courso of time to be lightened, and his whole tune since then has been devoted to the teaching of students, especially in Hebrew and Church history. lie extent"- and accuracy oi his scholarship in these branches of sacred learning, and his evident deeiro to be helpful in every possible way to tho classes under his care, along with hie guileless humility, his open mindcdness and reverence for truth, hie practice of holiness and brotherly love, have won for him tho life-long affection and gratitude of his students and the admiration and esteem of all his brethren. The Presbytery congratulates him on hie long and useful career, and commends him to God and to the Word of His graoe, which is able to build him up and to give him the inheritance among all them that aro sanctified."

Mr Chisholm then read the following reply from Dr Watt:—"My Dear Mr Chieholm,—May I ask you to carry my ;n i thanks to the Presbytery of Dunedin for its words of kindlv appreciation of me, and of congratulation on my obtaining the jubilee of my ministry. I would have been satisfied to be allowed to continue my work as as Uod spared me, and when my call comes to depart quietly without giving trouble to anybody. However, when tho brethren took the trouble to record their sentiments in my favour, I am naturally grateful to them. I have felt honoured to bo eo long connected with them, and would like to thank them for their consideration all along And my prayer to God is that Ho may continua to bless tjho corner of the great vineyard over which the brethren exercise spiritual jurisdiction, and that the Presbytery may be a factor for righteousnore in our community more and more in tho coming years. KindJy express to the Presbytery at its first meeting my regret for inevitable absence, and thanking yourself personally for all your kindness." DIAMOND JDBII.EE CELEBRATIONS. The Clerk reported that the proceedings in connection with the diamond jubilee of tho Presbytery of Otago had passed off very successfully. "Ministers, on tho appointed Sunday, directed the attention of their congregations to tho planting of Presbytery in this new land on June 27, 1854, and made mention of its growth during the 60 years that have passed since then, thankfully acknowledging that, whilo some planted and others wataed, God gave the increase. Tile social function in Burns Hall and tho music and addressee in First Church, on the evening of the following Wednesday, drew together a great crowd of people, and doubtless helped to create a keener interest in the history, polity, and work of the church." He moved, and the Rev. D. K. Fishor seconded, that the Presbytery agree to place on record its hearty thanks to all who had had a mind to work in the matter; especially to tho ladies of the various congregations within the bounds of the Presbytery for their liberal catering and assistance, to Mr Timson for his organ recital, and to the brethren of the Presbytery for their addresses.

Members referred in terms of praise to the enthusiasm that had been shown in regard to the function, and suggested certain matters that might have been included in the minute.—Mr Chisholm explained that as all parties had dono go much for the success of the proceedings he had tried as far as he could not to mention names. In the case of Mr Timson it was, of course, practically impossible to leave it out.

A member of the Presbytery stated that there had been some dissatisfaction in regard to the decision as to who should preside at the function, and ho understood that there had been some feeling in the matter. It was resolved to discus? the matter in committee, and a lengthy debate followed. On resuming, the motion was put and carried.

The Bcv. A. Don fchen spoke, regretting thoro had been no mention at the function of the Foreign Mission enterprise of the Presbytery. Two foreign missionaries were present in Dunedin when the jubilee was held—Dr Bowie and the pioneer of their mission in the East, tho Rev. G. H. M'Neur. Neither of them had been invited to sit on the platform. The speaker characterised it as an extraordinary omission. He knew, of course, that they wero not celebrating the jubilee of Foreign Missions, but it seemed to him that theie should have been some recognition of that part of the church's work. PROTESTANT PRINCIPLES. The Rov. P. C. Durward, convener of the General Assembly's Committee on Protestant Principles, wrote as follows:—"In the name of the Committee on Protestant Principles I take the liberty of writing to you, asking you to bring bolore your Presbytery tho subject of Protestant principles and the necessity of Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions taking whatever steps they may think wiso to instruct our people in tho doctrines of the Protestant Church. Our committee ie of opinion that the work can best bo done in the form of Sunday evening lectures on Protestantism and the heroes of the Protestant churches; by making the history of our church a subject of study in our Bible classes, and by Presbyteries or Kirk Sessions appointing subjects tor essays in the junior and senior Bible classes as John Hues, John Calvin, John Knox, the Covenanters, tho Huguenots, etc. In one of tho Presbyteries of our church several ministers have agreed to write meh a special Sunday evening loeture on Protestantism, or on some great Protestant, and to exchange puJpits for the delivery of these lectures. Ihe opinion of our committee is that we should proceed mainly on positivo linos and by way of instructing our people in the principles and history and work of our evangelical churches. I hope that your Iresbytery will take whatever steps may seem to it suited to accomplish this purpose.

A committee, consisting of thcßev Messrs Fairmaid, M'lntyre, Fisher. Gray Dixon, and Finlayson, and Messrs Henderson and Hose was appointed, the committee to report to next meeting of tho Prcebytery.

CHURCH EXTENSION CHAKGES. The R«v. A. M. Finlayson reintroduced an overture to the General Assembly in regard to amending the regulations in connection with the appointment oJ ministers to or tho ordination of probationers 'in church extension charges. lie explained that tho overture should have been dealt with at the last General Assembly, but as tmio was limited he and Mr Fisher thought it would be. unwise to press the matter. Ho wished that tine overture should be cent up as the mind of the Preabytery. Mr Chisholm objected, and moved that it bo sent up simpliciter. Ho indicated that the overture left open a position not in accord with the spirit of Presbyterian Church polity.

TJie amendment -was seconded by the Rev. J. Kilpatrick. He said that'some of tho regulations in regard to theso charges, which existed only in Otago, were obsolete and could not be revived.

Mr Finlayson said he thought it would be better to oppose die motion altogether. Ho did not think the overture should be sent up from a divided Presbytery. Ho was prepared to withdraw tiho motion.

Mr Fifihcr, who had seconded the motion, objected to that course. Tho amendment was put and carried, and on being pint as tihe substantive motion was again carried, only two dissenting.

FOHEION MISSION*. Tho report of the Foreign Missions Committee woe pre.sented. Mr Oli.ciiolni saki tin.) committee was anxious to give tin; utmost publicity to its work, lie- expressed sorrow that Mif» A. J<mi<>B had been compelled to return from Canton to undergo treatment, but hoped that sho would lu> onahlcd to return before long. 110 indicated that Dr Bowie's medical adviser said that Dr Bowio was improving steadily, ihougih it would bo a year before ho could return to the Islands. While not doing deputation work, however, Dr I'ovvio was working too hard. Tho medical authorities have regarded him as a very valuable acquisition on the subject of tropical diseases. He moved that tho report bo placed on tho table.

Mr Kilpatriek seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr Kilpatriek said he had been wondering if it would not be wise to invite Dr Bowio to take a seat at the Presbytery. Ho did not know whether tho Presbytery had taken notice of Dr Bowie having taken up his residence within the 'bounds. If it wero tho Presbytery's mind that Dr Bowie fihouid bo present lie thought it should formally intimate fiho fact to Dr Bowie. He moved to that effect.

Mr Don roso to second the motion, but in doing so, suggested that the resolution should be made to cover the case of all missionaries oi their church The mover agreed to accept tho suggestion ae an addition to the motion, arid in that form it was carried. GENERAL. The Rev. 0. Murray (Christehiirch), convener of tho General Assembly's Committee of Statistics, forwarded the ordinary echedule for t3io statistics of the Church.

The Rev. H. IT. Barton reported -with rogard to the site for tho new Wakari Church, giving its area and location.

An application was made on behalf of First, Church for a grant from the- Synod of £50 for church repairs.;— Members remarked that there was no for church repairs—it was manse repairs.—Tim Rev. G. H. B"lfour: It is all the same—(Laughter.) Plenty of monev had bocn spent on tlhe maneo (the church had made no apnlication for years).—The grant was agreed to.