PRESBYTERY OF DUNEDIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 865, 27 June 1868, Page 7

PRESBYTERY OF DUNEDIN.

The Quarterly meeting of ; £he Pteabytery of Dunedin was held on, Wpdnesday, in. the schoolroom beneath the First Church. i There werepresent — The Revd. M± Watt, M. A. (Moderator) ; the Revd. Dr Burns, the Revds. Sutherland, Will, Stuaxt, 1 Scrimgeour, M'Naughton, Johnson, Gregg, Connor, Christie, Ryley, Davidson, and' W. Gillies. Elders: Messrs Wilkie, King, Cargill, Williamson, andSomerville. The Clerk (the Revd W. Gillies) read the minutes of the last meeting, which were confirmed. Commissions were given in from the First Church in favor of Mr Mollison, and from Waikouaiti, in favor of Mr Mill. Both were sustained. The appointments of Assessors for the Kaikorai, Portobello, and North East Harbor Districts, were confirmed. The application of the Rev. John Martin, to be received wi thin the bounds, was read with certificates and letters in his favor. It was resolved to remit the application simpliciter to the Synod. The application, testimonials, and certificates of the Rev. W. Wood, were read and remitted to the Synod, the application being strongly recommended forfavorable consideration. The Key. Mr Sutherland gave an explanation as » to the manner in which the expenses of the Rev Mr Wood to the Mataura, had been drawn from funds in the hands of the Treasurer. There was a long discussion. Mr Sutherland admitted that the proceedings were irregular, but gave explanations, and the matter dropped. SABBATH OBSERVANCE. The Report of the Committee upon Sabbath Oi servance was brought up. The Rev. Mr Sutherland stated that the Committee had waited np»m some of the members of the Provincial Council, and a memorial had been presented to the Council by Mr A. J. Burns. The majority of the Council assented to the prayer of the memorial, but it was considered advisable to transmit it to the General Government with a strong recommendation from the Superintendent. It was resolved to approve of the diligence of the Committee, and that it was advisable it should continue its labors until effect waa given to the prayer of the petition. RESIGNATION OF THE REV. MR. CONNOR. A letter from the Rev. Mr Connor, tendering his resignation of the charge at Oamaru, was read. I The Rev. Mr Wilt, moved— j That Mr Connor's resignation be ac- \ cepted, and that in doing so the Presbytery record thoir testimony to his zeal and devotedness as a Minister of the '-ospeL their synipithy with iiim, in his present position, and their fervent prayer that a snitable s ; >here of ministerial lab >rs may soon be opened up for nira in the Providence of God. That the Presbytery recommf-nd to the Synod that Mr Connor be continued upon the c }ual dividend of the Sustenfcation Kund for two years from this date, and that he retain hie status as a Mini-ter. That Mr Ryley be appointed Moderator of St. Paul's, Oamaru, during the vacancy, and that lie preach there next Sabbath, and declare the Church vacant. In doing so, he said that he felt deeply, and he was sure all would feel the peculiar circumstances in which Mr Connor had been placed. They would all be convinced that Mr Connor was an earnest, zealous, evangelical minister, and would hope that the unfortunate position in which lie was placed, would not prove a real injury to him, but that he would come out of the trial successfully. The Presbytery could not hesitate to accept the resignation, but they could express their sympathy with Mr Connoi\ He felt assured that it would not fc>e. long before fiat gentleman received another call, and that there were districts where his earnestness, zeal, and ability would not only bs useful, but would be appreciated. The Rev. Mr Johnson seconded the resolution. He fully endorsed all that Mr Will had said, and could hear testimony to the zeal and ability ot Mr Connor. The Rev. Mr Stuart regretted exceedingly the events that had led to Mr Connor's resignation ; for ho knew, from the character that he brought with him, and from his conduct while here, that he was a zealous, devout minister of the Gospel — one whose earnestness was pnshod, perhaps, too far— whose very abundance of labor often exceeded his physical strength. It was not beciuse ho had not been found acceptable in one • iistrict, that in another he would not find a spliere of usefulness. Tho Rev. Mr Subimgeouh felt assured that Mr Connor would soon find a sphere •vhere his labors would bo acceptable. He instanced the names of ministers who had been placed in a similar position, and urged Mr Connor to bake courage, and

believe that Providence was , directing his movements for a.wise purpose. The Rev* Mr Sutherland took exception to the use of the -words " not' accept•able" in reference to Mr Connor* They inferred "not competent." It was not because there was a strong -party feeling at Oamaru that a stigma should be even unintentionally cast upon Mr Connor. He- also sympathised de»ply with Mr Connor. ■ The Rev Mr Davidson knew Mr Connor to be a good man and an excellent minister. He trusted that the Church at Oamaru would get as able a successor, The Revs Messrs M'Naughton, Gillies, and other minister^ also bore testimony to Mr Connors-z eal, earnestness, and ability, and expressed sympathy with him. The resolution was agreed to. THE REV MB ALVES. The Rev D. M. Sttjart .stated that this minister, one of the six chosen in Scotland for charges in this Province, had arrived in Wellington, and would be in Dunedin shortly. It was resolved that he be welcomed ; and the Church Extension Committee were requested to appoint him to Oamaru. MORNING NEWSPAPER. The Rev. Mr Scrimgeotjr asked, and obtained, leave to withdraw his motion respecting the establishment of a journal in the Province. PRESBYTERIAN STATISTICS. The Clerk read the Returns to Schedules which had been supplied to the Churches, for the pxirpose of obtaining statistical information. A vote of thanks for the care he had bestowed upon the subject was accorded him, and the Returns ordered to be placed on the records. The following Returns are compiled from the Returns furnished by Mr Gillies :— The First Church numbers : 12 elders, 12 deacons, and 40 •» communicants There are 2>) Sabbath school teachers, and 2oo scholars, and 65 attend the Bible class. There are 800 sittiugs in the Church, and all are let. Two services are h-ld on with a weekly prayer meeting. The library contains 2000 volumes. Knox Church, has 17 elders, 9 deacons, and 600 communicants. In the Sunday School there are 41 teachers, 320 scholars, and 60 members of the Bible class There are 900 sittings in the Chur.'h, and all are let. The average attendance is 800. TwoSunday and tw-> weekly services are held. Connected with the Church, there is an outstaHon, at which the average attendance is about 40. The libraries contain 1059 volumes. From St. Paul's Church. Oatnaru. the returns are : — "Flders. 2 ; managers, 6 ; communicants. 215 ; t aVhers, 10 ; scholars, SO ; Bible class, 12 ; sittings, 2Ss— all let ; average attendance, 200 ; services, 2. There are three out-stations at which monthly services are held. The library contains 300 volumes. At Otepopo and Hampilen. tb.Te are :—: — Elders, 4 ; deacons, 3 ; coiimunicants, 103 ; teachers, 2 ; scholars, 30 ; Bibls clas3,' 10 ; sittings, 250, of which 170 are let. The average attendance is 2<<o ; and 1 Sabbath service is hfld. There is, also, a prayer meeting held monthly. Ths returns ir>nn Waikonaiti (and Palmerston) show that, there are S elders, 3 deacons, 7 managers, 158 communicants, 2 teachers, 14 scholars, 162 sittings, of which 120 are let. The average attendance is 90. One s u rvice is held at both places, with, occasional district meetings At Port Chalmere there are 7 elders, 11 deacons, 105 communicants, 11 teachers, 80 scholars. 12 in Bible class, 140 seats, of which. 130 are let ; and the average attendance in 120. There axe two services on the Sabbath, and weekly church and district meetings. At Anderson's Bay the communicants number 111, the average attendance being 16'). Out of ISO sittings, 163 are let. T ere are 5 elders and 5 deacons. In the Sunday School there are 45 children an-i 6 teachei s, and the attendance at the Bible class is 25. Services are held weekly. Tiie returns from Green I4an& show that there are: — Elders, 4; deacons, 5; communicants, 130 ; teachers, 6 ; scholars, 60 ; bible class, 12 members ; sittings in church, 150, all let. The average attendance is 120. One service and several district meetings are held weekly. At East Ta : eri. there are 6 flders, 8 deacons, an 3 260 communicants. All the sittings (2&2) are let, and the average attendance is 260. Tb> re are 4 teachers in the Sunday School, 45 scholars; and 30 attending the Bible clnss. From T?orbh Taicri the returns are : — Elders, 3 : managers, 5; communicants. 52; sittings. 200—163 let ; average attendance, 120 ; Tlib'e class, 22 ; one weekly t-ervice is held, and one at the out station, Whare Flat. At the West Taieri tho Church numbers : — 4 eldors, 4 deacons, 150 communicants, 6 teachers, 35 scholar-, and ~5 members of tie Bible class ; thfro a-re 350 sittings, of which. 270 are lot ; and tLe average attendance is 200. There are two outatations at which services are held. The returns from St. Andrew's Church, Dunedin, and from the Churches at the Kaikorai and Waitaki, were not sent in to the Presbytery.

,\ The following Return relates to tfea Iftpesbyterian,, ministers xiow engaged ia the Province/: — "f:" f : ,• • - . , •'-„■' 1 The Rev. Thomas Btons studied literature ' and theoJogy at ,the University of Minbtwgh^ v and a degree of D.T>. was conferred on. him in 1860. He was Kefin^e^bythePrwbjrtwryt ofHaddington, Established Church of Scafe* l»nd, ia 1822 j and was ordained by, ifcar Presbytery o f Stranraer, E.C.S.. in i«2^ , ffis previous charges were at BaHantrae^ Monkton; and Portobello. He settled ia Mr present charge in April. 2848. , The Rev. W. Will was a student at th? University of Edinburgh, and the Bfcea Church. College, Edinburgh. He was licensed? ' and ordained by the Presbytery of Irvinei "F.C.S., in 1863, and settled in his present charge in "February 1864. ■ The Rev. William Johnston .was educated at Aberdeen University, and,, the Free • Church Colleges, Aberdeen and Edinburgh. - He received the degree MA. from the Aberdeen University in 1849. He obtainedhis license in 1853, and in 18^7 was ordained by tita Edinburgh Presbytery. He took: charge of the Church at Port Chalmers in. June 1858. Tljeßev. Donald M Stuarfc became mini. ster of Knox Church in May 18S0. Hr studied at the University of St Andrewß; tha Free Church College, Edinburgh ; and at the English Presbyterian College, London. . Ha,w*s licensed by the Presbytery of Ke!so r F.C.S. in 1848, and ordained at 'Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1849. His first charge was atPalstone, Northumberland. Tbeßev. J. H, M'V a u<;hton was educated at the University of Sb Andrews, and the Free Church College, Edinburgh. He was; licensed in 1 851, and. in 1855 was ordained by the Presbytery of London, Canada West ' He ftettled in his present charge in Jnly, 1863. The Rev. John Christie was * stadent afe , the Glasgow ami Edinburgh Universities, and at the United Presbyterian H*ll, Edinburgh He was ordained by the Pxeibjterj; of Otago in August, 18S3. when he was appointed to the Oburch at Waikouaiti.' f Tho Rev! Charles Connor was a student aft the same Colleges, and was ordained by toe Presbytery of Otago, and settled at Oamaro. in 1863. The "Re*. Michael Watt, M.A ; studied** the University, Aberdeen, and the Free Chnrch College, Edinburgh. He received his. degree in 1858. He was licensed in 186% and was ordained in 1864. la June of that yea* he took charge of the Church at Greeit, Fslnnd. The Rev. William Gillies was a student at the London and Glasgow Universities, and afr the English Prpsbyt-rian College. London. In January, 1885, he was ordained, and sett'ed at the We<-t T ieri. The Rev. James M. David? on studied at the Edinburgh. University, aud U> ited Pres-. • - bytprfan Hall. He was ordained in 186$, 5 and in February of tlut year inducted into > thi* charge at North T.iieri. The Rev. Robert Scrimgeonr studied at Sfc - Andrews and the Aberdeen Universities*. ■ also ac Free Church Colleges, Aberdeen and ; Edinburgh. He was licensed in 1851 and - ordained in 1852. His rrevions charge was i at T eith. He became minister of St Andrew*a - in February, 1866. ) The Rev. John Ryley was settled at Otepopo in March, 1867. He studied, at the - Glasgow University and under the Dtmeditt ; Presbytery. ; The Rev. George Sutherland studied atti€t s F. C. College Halifax, "JTovajScotia. He wv-s 1 ordained in '854, and wis appo ; n*ed to the • First Church. Dunedin, in October, 1567. The Rev. Alexander Greig. of the Univer— ■ sity and F»"ee Ohureh College, Aberdeen, was , ordained in 1867, and settled in hi* present , charge at North. East Harbour, in April, , 1868. ! The examining Committee reported^ ■ that Messrs Chisholm and Fleming had 1 passed examinations in Greek, Hebrew,, , Theology, and Church History, with great ; credit to themselves and satisfaction to tha examiners. , The Presbytery was adjoiirned untilthe 1 first Wednesday in September.

The West Coast Times gives the following recollections of a letter received by a correspondent from the Fiji Islands, nbous two months since, from a settler (Mr Ford, of the firm of Reid and Ford, publishers, EUzibetifc street, Melbourne), which, may prove interesting. The writer is settled at Ovalu, one of the largest islands m the groiip, and his plantation is about seventy m'les from the port He stats that the climate is veiy hot, and tmsuited to Enropeans. though a cool wind Vows during the evening from the sea* and without any person had been used to a. semi-tropical climate, he wo -Id not advise th<-m to t'ink of settling in the Fiji's The natives are fazy, and -will work only when: in the humor, and they .ire continu >lly fighting with each other. It was not at all an uncommon thing for him to see two hostile pasties of natives fighting of an evening, and hear the bullets of th^se who could obtain firearms, striking the walls of the slied irt which lie wa i sleeping ; but "he had -never been molested personally. All business was transacted by means of barter, and the Natives w-j^e almost as cute as ,1 Chinaman in striking, a bargain. Piys and fowls were plentiful. The soil was very pr Kfic, and almost anything would gr.'W. Mr Ford had sown Ms plantation with Sea IsUnd cotton, which, he found throve well, tut he had the greatest difficulty in getting in his crops. He states he was doing w<4l, but recommenced his family not to follow kirn. as they "would not find it quite the pleasant place it waa painted."