DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18871, 25 May 1923, Page 9

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

REV. J. FORDYCE ACCEPTS CALL TO RIVERTON. A special meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was held last night, the Moderator (the Rev. G. H. Jupp) presiding. The Clerk (Mr J. Kilpatrick) announced that there was on the table a cull from the Riverton congregation in Southland Presbytery in favour of the Rev. James Fordyce, of West Taieri. Messrs A. Grant and J. Marshall, commissioners from the West Taieri congregation, were introduced, to the Moderator.

Mr Grant expressed the regret that West I’aieri felt in losing its minister. Mr Fordyco' had done splendid work, and had endeared himself to all. He then submitted the following motion, which was carried unanimously' at a meeting of the West Taieri congregation:—“That this meeting of the West Taieri congregation having, learned that a unanimously-signed call from the Riverton congregation has been sent to the Rev. James Fordyce, records its appreciation of the faithful work of it.? minister over (he past three years, but would place no obstacle in the way of his acceptance of what is quite evidently a call to a very desirable sphere of labohr. Should Mr Fordyco accept the call, the West Taieri people will remember with cordial good-will his labours of love in their midst.” The following minute was passed by the Ladies’ Guild, to be read at West Taieri congregational meeting;—“The members of the Ladies’ Guild hear with regret that the Riverton congregation has extended a call to the minister of our church, and we desire at this time to say that, while we would not ask Mr Fordyce to refuse that call if ho feels God is leading him to other fields, wo do wish him to know that we will deeply regret his going from us, and if he can yet, see his way To remain with us the West Taieri Ladies’ Guild members promise him a continuation of their sympathy, help, and prayers.”Mr Marshall expressed the regret of the young people in losing Mr Fordyce, who had done exceptionally good work for the Sunday School and the Bible classes. Mr Fordyce expressed his readiness to accept the call. Ho said that lie would liko to thank all the members of Presbytery for their kindness to him during (he first three years and three months of his ministry, and especially Mr Calder, whose wise counsel and practical help had meant so much to him. He would never have thought of leaving West Taieri had the charge been weak or in difficulty, hut, ns some members know, the services were well attended. The communion roll was practically the when ho had arrived in February, 1920, but spiritually and materially the charge was much better. Alxnit £IBO bad been spent on the repairs to (he Maungat.ua Church. A new concrete church had been built al a. cost of some £2250 in the Township of On tram—a building which for many years had been a clamant need. The debt of £BOO on the new church was now being reduced, by £SO a year in advance of the agreement, while the general account would have a .credit balance. Moreover, ho had the pleasure of being told by the Out,ram Sunday School superintendent that there wore only two Protestant families with children of school age in (hat township that were not represented in the Sunday School. What had induced him to accept this cull was the fact of its having come entirely unsought. lie felt it lo he the leading of the Spirit of God. After Dr Gumming .had led the Presbytery in prayer, the Clerk moved that the Presbytery place the call in Mr Fordyce’s hands. He spoke of the work Mr Fordvce had done in the interests of the Presbytery, especially in the erection of the now church at Outram, The Rev. D. Calder, who seconded, mentioned the gbod-will that had existed between the ministers of the Taieri, and made reference to Mr Fordvce’s energy and business ability, which had been apparent in the erection of the new church and in his general conduct of (ho charge. The Presbytery agreed to put (he call in Mr Fordyce’s hands when ho formally accepted it. _