DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18544, 3 May 1922, Page 9

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery -was held yesterday, the Moderator (tne Rev. W. Fairlie Evans) presiding. Applications for grants for repairs to manses were granted 'to Knox, St. Andrew’s, South Dunedin, Brighton, P.avensbourne, and Anderson s _ Bay. The Rev. J. M. Simpson intimated that Mr H. C. Campbell had offered a section at Purakanui Inlet for a church, and explained that it would not interfere with tlio regular services. He moved that this very generous offer be accepted, and hearty thanks accorded to Mr Campbell. —Carried. The Rev. W. B. Fordyce applied, on behalf of South Taieri, for sanction to have a married student resident in the nianse for a period.—The matter was adjourned for a month, as it depended on the issue of another question, relating to a monetary claim, which was dealt with in private. The Rev. Hector Maclean _ presented a report on a presbyterial visitation to NorthEast Valley, which stated that the condition of the congregation, both spiritual and material, was excellent.—The report was received and a deliverance adopted noting with great pleaisure the evidence of a warm spirit of co-operation between minister, office-bearers, and members, rejoicing at the progress which had been made, congratulating the congregation on its liberality to church work, and sympathising with it on its need for building extensions.—Mr Maclean remarked that the congregation was evidently organised to the fullest extent for efficient work.—The Moderator voiced the presbytery’s appreciation of the splendid work of the minister (the Rev. R. E. Evans). MEMORIAL MINUTES. Memorial minutes were adopted touching the death of of the Rev. Dr Watt, the Rev. Alex. Gow, and the Rev. _ Andrew Gray, recording in brief the history of their ministrations, and referring to the late pastors in these terms:— The Rev. Dr Watt, for almost 41 years, ministered with exemplary fidelity to a warmly-attached people. As a member of the staff of the Theological Hall he held the reverence and affection of successive generations of students, and of his brethren in the ministry. Profound and accurate scholarship, reverent loyalty to Christian ideals, unaffected piety, and gentleness and humility characterised him throughout his long career. Mr Gow was _ a man whom God had,/ with distinct evangelical gifts. Hid preaching and personal work were both characteristic of the whole man. He was a devout student of the Word of God, a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a minister of the Church with a passion for souls. In his death the Church has lost one of her strongest advocates of the Gospel message. . Mr Gray was a /mad of the highest integrity. Has work was characterised by sincerity of purpose and singleness of aim, while his personal. character possessed a charm that enabled him to exercise a strong influence in an ever-widening circle of friends. He was a faithful preacher, and a pastor beloved of his people. In a trying illness he evinced unusual courage and Christian fortitude, meeting the - end with a faith that never wavered.