PRESBYTERY OF DUNEDIN.

Otago Witness, Volume 17, Issue 1020, 17 June 1871, Page 2

PRESBYTERY OF DUNEDIN.

The Presbytery of Dunedin jield its usalu quarterly meeting on the 7th mat. There were present— the Bey. W. Alves, moderator ; Mobbis D. M. Stuart, G. Sutherland, Wm. Will, Wm. Johnston, J. U. Davidson, A. Greig, M. Watt, A. B. Todd, J. H. M'Naughton, J. Kyley, J. Christie, A. Blake, James Baird, and Wm. Gillies, ministers ; and Messrs John Reith, John Duncan, J. Smith, and Alexander Chisholm, elders. The minuteß of former meetings were read and confirmed. The Rev. James M'Oosh Smith was received by the Presbytery and cordially welcomed. A resignation from the Rev. Robert Scrimgeour, of St. Andrew's, of his charge, was read, and a statement made by Mr Paterson, the representative elder of St. Andrew's session, thereanent. As Mr Scrimgeour was not present, tlw Presbytery resolved to defer the consideration of the resignation until three o'clock, and to request Mr Scrimgeour to be then present. The Rev. George Sutherland laid on the table a request from the Btation in North Dunedin to be erected into a sanctioned charge, and introduced a deputation, consisting of Messrs Robert Short, John Kaye, John Duncan, and Wm. Hutton, who supported the request. It was then moved by the Rev. George Sutherland, seconded by the Rev. Wm. Will, and unanimously agreed to— that the request be granted. North Dunedin was declared a sanctioned charge accordingly. The Rev. A. B. Todd was appointed to visit Waitaki and preach on Sabbath, July 2nd. Mr Baird was appointed to supply Oamaru on, that day, and Mr Clark to supply Hampden as well an Palmerston. The Presbytery then adjourned until 3 o'clock. After adjournment, the Presbytery again met, ani Mr Scrimgeour being present, and being heard as to the cauaeß leading to the giving in of his resignation, it was resolved to meet in private for brotherly dealing with him. The Court was accordingly cleared. On resuming in public, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Johnston, seconded by Mr Will, " That Mr Sorimgeour be BUBpended from the office of this ministry sine die, that the pastoral tie between him and St. Andrew's congregation be' dissolved, and the charge bt declared ywwit."

Mr M'Cosh Smith was appointed to declare St. Andrew's vacant on Sabbath first ;and Mr M'Nauiihtonwas appointed Moderator of the Session during the vacancy. It was further resolved "That the . Presbytery supply the pulpit every second Sabbath during the vacancy, Mr Greig to preach on Sabbath, the 18th of June, and fortnightly thereafter each minister as his name stands upon the roll." " ■

The Presbytery then proceeded to consider the memorial for the sanction of the Presbytery to the sending home for another minister of known standing. The deputation appointed at the meeting in the Athenaeum on Tuesday was heard,and after consideration it was unanimously agreed to record the gratification of the Presbytery with the interest manifested by the memorialists in the cause of the Church, to defer any definite answer to their memorial, and meanwhile appoint a Committee of Presbytery to confer with the memorialists and the congregation of St. Andrew's or North Dunedin with a view to conjoint action in sending home for a minister of known standing and experience. The Rev. Messrs Will, Johnston, and Gillies, with Messrs John Duncan and John Reith, Elders, were appointed the Committee. Mr Will, convener.

The Presbytery adjourned to Wednesday, 6th September, at 11 a.m.