CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20385, 17 April 1928, Page 6

CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

The regular meeting of the bvtery was held at Balclutha on Friday last, when the Rev. T. Tweedie presided over a good attendance of members. Commissions from Stirling and Catlins were-re-ceived ih favour of Messrs W. Harvey and Leslie’ respectively, and were sustained. Mr Leslie, who took his seat in presbytery for the first time, was welcomed by the moderator. A motion of sympathy was passed to the Rev, H. i. Blair in his sickness, and also to Mr J. Edie. . - The Rev. H. H. Barton (foreign missions’ secretary), who was present, was welcomed and associated with the presbytery. The topic for the conference was “ The’ Prayer Meeting,” which was introduced in an instructive paper by the Rev. A V. G. Chandler. An interesting discussion followed. The Clerk reported on behalf of the commission in regard to the amalgamation of the Tuapeka West and, Clydevale districts. Commissions from both charges testified that the general feeling was' favourable to the change. The commission was reappointed with presbyterial power to visit the congregations to take the necessary steps to raise the united congregation to the status of a fully-sanctioned charge and to report to the next presbytery. The resignation of the Rev. AV. J. Sinclair from the Stirling charge was accepted as from May 31, The Rev. AV. AA r . F’rench was appointed as interim moderator. In regard to a drain by the manse at Ratanni. the clerk was appointed to wait upon the Clutha County Council at its next meeting. The Rev. A. M'Neur renorted that in the course of the year the Rev. J. Bissett would visit the presbytery for three months and conduct services at the three centres. Provisional suggestions were made ns to the places to be visited. Mr Barton addressed those present on the present serious crisis in foreign mission finance and was thanked for his presentation of the position. On the motion

o£ the clerk it wag agreed that ministers should be requested to address their congregationa at an early date and lay the circumstances before them and that the office-bearers be asked to report what congregations were prepared to contribute this year. A reference on Sabbath observance was remitted to the Public Questions’ Committee to,report at the next meeting.