MEETING OF THE FIRST CHURCH CONGREGATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1031, 2 September 1871, Page 6

MEETING OF THE FIRST CHURCH CONGREGATION.

The annual meeting of the members of the Presbyterian First Church was held on the 24th ult. , to receive and consider the reports of the Kirk Session and Deacons' Court. There was a large attendance. The Rev. Mr Sutherland was in the chair.

The Rev. Mr Sutherland opened the proceedings with devotional exercises, and then called upon the Clerk (Mr Lawson) to read the report of the Kirk Session. After alluding to the death of the Rev. Dr Burns, which had occurred since the last report had been made, the report proceeded :—: —

During the past year the session has held the usual monthly meetings on the tirst Monday of each month, and six special meetings, as occasion required. During the same period 34 members have been admitted to the communion for the first time, and 2(5, by certificate, have been received from other churches, and 55 children have been admitted into the church by baptism. Against this have to be placed those who have left membership by removal and death, to the number of 15, besides others, who have withdrawn, but have not as yet asked for certificates.

The number of children attending the Sabbath School in connection with the Church lias steadily increased during the past year. In the Central School the number on the roll at present is 260, and in the side school at Maori Hill, 25, the average attendance at the central school being about 200. There are 27 teachers engaged in the schools, 14 male, and 13 female. Several of our members are also engaged as teachers in the mixed schools at C'aversham, Mornington, and lloslyn, at which schools also several of our children resident in these districts attend. In connection with the central school, we are glad to be able to state that a Young Men's Bible Class has lately been commenced under the auspices of Mr James H. Morris, which bids fair to be successful. The want of such a class has long been felt, and the young men of the congregation would do well to avail themselves of it. The congregational Bible class has been conducted by the pastor as usual on Tuesday evenings, during nine months of the year. Nearly one half of the Confession of Faith has been gone over during that time, in addition to Bible lessons. The attendance has averaged from twelve to thirty, but is still far below what is to be desired.

The Young Men's Christian Association has been in active operation during the past year, and is now in a very healthy condition. The average attendance has been from IS to 20, while the roll shows a membership of nearly 40, a good many of whom, however, are honorary members, and do not attend regularly. Evidences of progress and improvement are not wanting amongst the members, the essays delivered during the past year showing a decided improvement, in style and in composition, as well as in matter, on those delivered in any previous year, while the discussions have been more animated and conclusive, in consequence of members training themselves to extempore speaking. The meetings has been agreeably diversified by lectures, essays, discussions, and readings. Three lectures and nine essays have been delivered in the course of the year ; four discussions have taken place ; two nights, were set apart for readings ; aud three prayer meetings have been held in connection with the Association.

The weekly congregational prayer meeting continues to be held every Thursday evening, and the attendance continues about the usual average. The iirst week of the year -was devoted to special prayer in accordance -with the recommendation of the Evangelical Alliance ; and lately the evangelistic services arranged in connection with our own Synod, have been held for seven nights continuously, and ■were very ■well attended ; and it is hoped they may be followed with much good, and so accomplish the purpose for which they were initiated. The monthly prayer meeting of the office-bearers of the Church continues also to be regularly held on the last Monday of each month. The attendance on the public ordinances of the Church, while not materially decreasing, is not by any means as your session would desire to see it ; and, while making allowances for widespread and prevailing sickness, they would urge upon all the necessity of a constant attendance on the means of grace.

During the year the usual visitations of the congregation have been continued by the Pastor ; and, in addition to this, one clay in each week is bet apart by him for special visitation in the several districts, besides the visitation of the sick, and other occasional pastoral work. lv closing this report, the Session desire to express the hope that during the year on which we have entered far greater results will be attained in the various branches of the Church's worjs $ and, while expressing

their thankfulness for the mercies and bless* ings of the past, would earnestly entreat the co-operation of the members and adherents of the Church in promoting its highest spiritual prosperity and advancement.

Mr Ramsay : How many members have withdrawn without receiving certificates I

Mr Lawson : It is impossible for us to know if those members who have not asked for their certificates have actually withdrawn from the congregation or not. From what I can gather I believe there is a number who have withdrawn ; but what that number is I cannot venture to say. Mr Ramsay : How many have actually sat down to communion during the year I Mr Law.sok : 1 am not prepared to say exactly ; but I think about 28J sat down at the last quarterly communion. I find that is about the same number as sat down at the corresponding period of the previous year.

The Rev. Mr Sutherland : We never have so many at the quarterly communions as we used to have at the halfyearly communions.

Mr Gilchiust said he would like to hear stated the number of adherents and members of the Church at the present time.

Mr Lawsox said the Communion Roll Book was not in his possession. He could only speak definitely to the membership, which he believed to be 400. He believed that to be about the number of members. He did not know how many adherents there were beyond that.

The adoption of the report was carried unanimously.

The Clerk of the Deacons' Court (Mr Begg) then read the statement of accounts for the year ending 30th June, 1871. It showed a balance in hand of £72 18s 3d from the previous year. There were received in ordinary collections, £351 13s 8d ; in seat rents, £252 5s Gel. The special collections amounted to £81 Is lOd ; £30 15s had also been collectedforthe Missionary Association, and £333 10s towards the Sustentation Fund ; balance, being overdraft, on the 30th June, 1871, £31 Is Id— being a total of £1153 5s 4d. The sum of £30 was also collected by the congregation towards a Sabbath S School Library. The payments were : — Minister's stipends : Rev. George Sutherland, £400; Dr Burns (supplement), £100 ; precentor, Church officer, insurance, and general expenses, £159 los 4d (of which £6 has to be refunded) ; payments, special collections, £831 ; Sustentation Fund, £333 105. The liabilities on the 30th June, 3871, were £59 8s lid.

A comparison between the receipts for the year ending June 1870 and those ending June 1871 was read. It showed — Ordinary collections, financial year 1870, £444 13s lOd ; financial year 1871, £351 13s 8d ; decrease, £93 0s 2d. Seat rents, 1870, £298 15s 9d ; 1871, £252 5s (3d ; decrease, £46 10s 3d. Sustentation fund, 1870, £366 8s 6d ; 1871, £333 10s ; decrease, £32 18s 6d. Total decrease in 1871, as compared with 1870, £172 8s lid.

Mr Becg then went on to say : It will be seen from this statement that there has been a very considerable decrease in the contributions to the funds of the Church during the year, and I have been directed by the Deacons' Court to state their opinions as to what may have been the probable causes of that decrease. In the first place, with reference to the Sustentation Fund there is a decrease of £32 18s Gd. This is easily accounted for by the fact that contributors to the extent of £60 have either been removed by death or have left the colony. The deficiency appears to be only £30, hut the remainder has been made up by recent additions to the number of contributors. With regard to the falling off in ordinary collections and seat rents, there are several causes which might bo mentioned to account for that. We all know that during the past year one cause has been the prevalent dulness in business and want of employment. — (Oh, oh.) That is one cause. There are a great many other causes, and one particularly to which I refer with some pain, but to which it is my duty to allude. I have heard rumours, and doubtless others have heard them likewise, to the effect that there are members who, although continuing in the congregation, have for some reason ceased to contribute to any of our funds ; and who so act without having appealed in the proper manner to the proper authority by memorial or otherwise to show why they are dissatisfied. — (Applause.) Everyone has a right to do what he pleases, but it is not the proper course to follow, to continue to enjoy the ministrations of the Gospel, and at the same time to contribute nothing towards the support of the Gospel. If those persons are dissatisfied, they can apply by memorial to the session. But no such steps have been taken. The members of session are left in utter ignorance, in theiv capacity as session, of any cause of dissatisfaction, and it is the duty of those parties to come before the session by memorial, which, no dpubt, will at*

tend to their representations. It is also reported that attompts are being made to induce others to withhold their contributions. 1 think it would be well for any member of the congregation to whom such a recommendation is made, to use his own judgment, and consider whether it is right to withhold his Contributions. If there are any causes for complaint, let those who are dissatisfied come forward and state them boldly. — (Applause.) There is another subject which I have to refer to, and which the Deacons' Court has decided to lay before this meeting. It is with regard to our minister's stipend. You are aware that on account of the death of our late pastor, Dr Burns, things have altered considerably, and the members of the Deacons' Court have been placed in a dilemma. They did not know during the course of the last half-year whether the dividend of the Sustentation Fund was payable to the Trustees of Dr Burns or to the Rev. Mr Sutherland. The subject was brought up at the meeting of the Deacons' Court held in March, and it was decided that in j the meantime the Rev. Mr Sutherland's stipend should remain at the previous amount, until, at any rate, the end of this year, Since then, a motion was brought forward in the Deacons' Court, to the effect that we should increase Mr Sutherland's stipend to the amount received by the late Dr. Burns when sole pastor of the Church. But an amendment was unanimously carried, to the effect that it was inadvisable to do anything without consulting the congregation.— (Applause.) It is, therefore, for you to make any proposition you may think advisable upon that point. It is rather a delicate subject to speak upon, but it is to be hoped_ we shall hear the opinion of the congregation, and no doubt the decision come to will be acquiesced in by all concerned, — (Applause. ) Mr Ramsay : Can you inform us with regard to the amounts collected under the various headings from the Ist of January to the 30th of June, 1871 ?

Mr Begg : No doubt such a statement could be made tip, but I have not got such a statement with me. The statement laid before the last congregational meeting was made up from the end of the preceding year, and the Deacons' Court directed that the report should be made up similarly this year. Mr Ramsay : Why I ask the question is, because it is generally understood that the decrease has been greater since the death of the Rev. Dr Burns.

Mr Beug : I can answer that question pretty well from memory. The ordinary collections up to January averaged about £6, amounting to £155, and after that, for the following six months, about £5, the amount being £132 4s 6d. The difference shows the decrease. There is nothing in the statement about these last two months.

In answer to a remark from Mr John Duncan as to the difference in the amount of seat rents, Mr Begg said : I understand from the seat letting Committee that 100 sittings have yet to be paid for, for the half year just ended, so it is not in accordance with fact for anyone to say that the amount received up to date is the amount of rent for the year.

In answer to a question, Mr Begg said : The statement read as to our financial position has been audited. Mr Winter : Will the Deacons' Court suggest any means by which the deficiency can be made up '? Mr Begg : I have to make one or two suggestions at the siiggestion of the Deacons' Court. As a Deacons' Court, we are only to administer the funds you choose to place at our disposal. We cannot make people give, and we will not do so ; we leave it to their own good sense and Christian feeling. — (Applause. ) The Chairman suggested that somebody should move the adoption of the report. Mr C. H. Livingston — who was indistinctly heard — was understood to express regret at the present state of the Church. He then proceeded to point out that the sum collected for the Sustentation Fund last year in the First Church amounted to £120. At Knox Church, £212 were collected ; at West Taieri, £140 ; and at East Taieri, £138. It would thus be seen that their Church— the First Church — was but fourth on the list, and it barely escaped being fifth. If it were a new Church, this would not be surprising ; but for the First Church of Otago— the representative Church — to find itself in such a position, was humiliating in the extreme. — (Applause.) He would, however, bring no charge against any one for the position in which they found themselves ; but they must look the matter steadily in the face. He intended to put an amendment to the meeting, and he would ask them, as they valued the interests of the Church, not to treat it lightly, but to show to the office-bearers, by their voices and votes, what they considered should be done to rescue the Church from its present painful position.

They came there, not in anger, but in sorrow. It was a matter too painful to be prolonged, and he would conclude by reading the amendment. He would ask, with the permission of the meeting, that it should afterwards be placed in the hands of one of the office-bearers. The amendment was to the effect that while they, as members of the Church, would carefully avoid expressing any opinion in regard to the industry, ability, or zeal of their Minister, yet talcing into consideration that there had been a, falling off in the congregation, and a general feeling of dissatisfaction existing, they thought it necessary that the Rev. Mr Sutherland should be reminded of a promise made by him three years ago, and repeated since then, that as soon fts he found his ministry did not give satisfaction ho would resign. — (Applause.)

A Voice : He wished to make a few remarks. Their friend who had just spoken had laid great stress on the last half-year's receipts having been so low. He held in his hands an account of the receipts for the last eight and a half years, from Mr Edmund Smith, the general titjasurer for the Church. The amount for the last half year, £126 9s 6d, waa low, certainly, but he Avould ask them to look back to the year 1805. During the first half year, when they entered tiaat building, the amount was only £132 17s. He had felt very much the position of this Church. In respect to the contributions towards the fund in question they stood fourth on the list. But how was this to be accounted for ? During his treasurership there had always been less on hand for the half year ending June 30th. During the half year ending December 30th there had been a considerable increase. In order to show that this was the case, let them take the half year ending 30th June, 1870, and they would find that thu amount received ■was £154, whilst the amount received for the half year ending December was £207 Gs. It might be asked how this arose. It arose in this way. There were those in their midst who did not contribute monthly or even quarterly, but gave, a donation at the end of the year. Again, as had been already stated, they had lost by removals by death and otherwise. They had lost by those so removed about £70 per year, or £35 for the half-year. Well, money, he repeated, had been lost in that way. He was sorry to find that the income in this respect was so low, but he had accounted for the reduction. At the same time, parties who had suspended contributing through the First Church, had contribttted by other means to tho General Fund of the Church.

A Voice : Don't you put the amendment to the meeting ? The Chairman : No, I don't.

Mr Mercer : This is an important meeting, and I think the congregation ought to have every opportunity given to them for expressing their views.

The Chairman : I have not attempted to burke discussion. On the contrary, I have invited it. But you will understand that there are motions which it is competent to put to the meeting, and that there are others which it is not competent to put. Mr Stewart suggested that if the rules bearing upon the point had been read, a great deal of unnecessary discussion would have been avoided.

Mr Curle rose to second the amendment.

The Chairman : I was informed by Dr Burns that you had removed.

Mr Curle said, in answer to the Chairman, that it was eighteen months since he had been in the Church, but he had not Avithdrawn.

The Chairman : It is utterly impossible for any person not belonging to tho congregation to second the amendment. In fact, he has no business here. — (Applause and disapprobation.) Mr Curle rose to speak. The Chairman : I cannot hear you ; you have no business here. — (Applause and hisses.) Mr Ramsay : Then I will second the amendment. Mr Curle : By whose authority was my name taken off the roll 1 There was no audible reply. Mr Begg : I think it is more the duty of the congregation than of the officebearers to speak on the subject ; but as there doesn't seem to be anyone willing to make any remarks I shall do so. It is a pity that an amendment of this nature should be put without comment. I listened to Mr Livingston's remarks, but I nevertheless failed to hear some of them. I understood him to refer to the condition into which the Church has sunk. Well, I would ask him, who is it that has sunk the Church into that state I — (Applause.) I would ask if the congregation is to be divided — split vp — by, I can not say anything else than underhand means — because the parties who have fomented these dissensions, have not come forward boldly and shown reasonable grounds for their action. lam sure that all would be glad to hear their

reasons for their present course. If they were given they would receive full consideration. But it is really too bad that members of the Church should privately sow the seeds of dissension amongst the members of the congregation. Mr Livingston has made a good many flowery remarks. I don't see much in what I heard of them ; I do not know what others • who heard them better thought. I did not distinctly hear his remarks, and therefore "will only speak in regard to the amendment which he has proposed. In the first place, I will speak as to the manner in which he has proposed it. He said he would not give it to the minister, but to an office-bearer. Mr Livingston : I did not say so ; I asked permission to adopt this course. A Voice : Permission ! Who from ? Another Voice : The Moderator. Mr Begg resumed : I do not think any office-bearer would so far forget his duty aa to put such an amendment. The minister is the chairman, and any motion or amendment, proposed must be handed to him. It was in bad taste to propose such an amendment, and say he would not allow the minister to put it, as if he had the power to prevent him from doing so. lam stire there is not a single officebearer that would take the power out of the hands of the minister. Then the amendment makes no charges against him. If any member has charges to make let him come forward and state them. Mr Livingston ought to have satisfied himself as to the suitability of the minister before he signed the call to him. He has no right to come forward now and repudiate that signature. He and others should give some satisfactory reasons for the course they had thought proper to take, and not merely talk about the bad condition of the church.

Mr Livingston was heard to speak, but his words could not be distinguished.

It was said that what Mr Livingston had said was that he had not signed the call.

Mr Beog resumed : The course proposed is one that we do not know the end of. I thoiight when Mr Sutherland was called to the charge that the action was rather hasty ; I think so still. I did not sign the call, although asked to do so, but I acquiesced in the decision of the congregation. However, although I did not sign the call, I am not going to treat Mr Sutherland unfairly. He came here at your request, and now yo\i ask him to resign, without advancing valid objections as to his doctrine or character. If you did that, no doubt ho would resign. I repeat that you have no right to ask him to resign without giving sufficient reasons. — (Applause. ). After some further remarks, Mr Begg went on to say that the con- J greyation must bear this in mmd — It would be all very well for them to ask the minister to resign his post, but that would not be the end of it. Supposing he acceded to their request to-morrow, then where were they to get another minister / — (Laughter.) It was all very well to send home for one. That had been tried, and they knew with what success, For years they themselves had tried to get a colleague for Dr Burns. When it went home that they had dismissed their minister without any good reason being offered, they would have little chance of getting a good one to replace him. A Voice : Allow me to correct the Clerk of the Deacons' Court. The word he should have used just now is an "Assistant " for Dr Burns, not a "Colleague." Let us be just. Mr BEC.it said it was plain that no minister knowing anything of the matter would accept a call from them. If they sent a call to the minister of any established station, he would, most probably, make enquiries, and he would find that they had almost unanimously called Mr Sutherland, and then, without assigning any reason, had asked him to resign. Any person at home who heard this, if he had any degree of common sense, would never accept a call from them. Where, he would repeat, were they to get another minister if Mr Sutherland did resign ? Even if they did get any one from home, he might not satisfy them as well as Mr Sutherland. It was no use for them to go on groping in the dark ; they should consider the matter seriously. He might refer to a subject which had been left to the congregation to decide — namely, the amount of their minister's salary ; but no motion had been proposed on the subject, and perhaps it would be well that this amendment should be put before any question with regard to the salary was raised.

Mr Pakk : According to what has been said, I suppose I have no right to be here ; but I wish to explain why I have come here.

The Chairman : If you do not belong to our Church, we do not want to hear you. — (Applause and hisses.) Mr Pakk : The Clerk of the Deacons' Court has asked for reasons, and I wish to give him one. — (Hear, hear.)

The Chairman : Persona who have re* moved from the congregation have no right to come here to disturb it, Mr J. Duncan remarked that he would simply say this, that if the congregation had charges to make against their minister they had their remedy ; but the way now being taken was not the proper way. They could have memorialised the Presbytery ; they could have ascertained whether the minister had the confidence of the people or not. If he had not, he could resign. Mr Fisher : Perhaps Mr Park would give his reason for leaving St Andrew's as well. — (Laughter.) No audible reply was made.

Mr A. Law announced his intention of moving an amendment to the effect that the salary of the minister be £450 per annum.

Mr Gilchrist : There is an amendment before the meeting already. The Chairman : I have already decided that it is an amendment which should not be put. A Voice : I rise to a point of order. If the report has been disposed of, why discuss it still ?

The Chairman : This is a separate question ; that is not a point of order.

A Voice : This statement is not in the report. You should dispose of the report, and the other matter can be taken up afterwards.

The Chairman: I have already put to the meeting the motion for the adoption of the report. I called upon the ayes and noes.

Mr G. Duncan rose to address the meeting. A point of order

The Chairman : A point of order. I think Mr Law is in possession of the chair.

Mr G. Duncan: 1 rise to a point of order. It is not the Chairman's place to rise to a point of order.

The Chairman : No, but it is the Chairman's place to keep order. — (Laxighter.) Mr G. Duncan : The Chairman had stated that he had ptit the motion to the meeting ; that he had called upon the ayes and the noes. The Chairman might have "done so ; but he certainly did not hear him, although he had paid great attention to the proceedings. Neither did he hear anybody say "aye" or "no." He wished to hear a fair and impartial I discussion, and he thought that after such an amendment as they had heard read had been proposed, the congregation should have an opportunity of fully expressing their views, and that they should not be so harshly and so suddenly called to order — (applause) — gentlemen, too, whom he had often seen sitting in that Church, He really did think it was advisable that every opportunity should be given to the congregation of expressing their opinions freely and fully, and perhaps they would afterwards be able to proceed in a manner more satisfactory than they had hitherto done. They would also then be able to decide whether there was a large majority in favotir of the resolution, or whether there was not.

The Chairman : To many of the remarks made by Mr Duncan I can have no possible objection. It was because certain parties rose to speak that I, ea Chairman, had to rise for the purpose of keeping order. I have been most anxious that the proceedings should be conducted in a temperate and proper manner. I have no doubt that Mr Duncan did not hear me put the motion to the congregation and call upon them to vote, but it is none the less true that I did do so.

Mr Mercer : I think it would be wiseto put the motion again.

The Chairman : Shall I do so ?— (Yes, yes.)

Mr Wales said he distinctly heard the Chairman call upon the ayes and noes a But it would be well perhaps to put the motion again.

Mr Sligo thought that it was advisable that they should decide who had and who had not a right to rise and speak in that church.

Mr John Duncan said as a member of the Church for 20 years he could only regret that he had been called upon to listen for a moment to an amendment of this kind. However, it would be as well to consider both sides of the question, as it was well known that dissatistaction existed among the congregation. In commenting upon the amendment the speaker said those who supported it had not come forward man fully, and stated what they were dissatisfied with. Steps should be taken to effect a re-union, but the amendment proposed was not the way to do so. They should have some sympathy with their ofh'ce-bearers, even if they were not satisfied with their minister.

The Chairman then pointed out that, so far as the motion was concerned, it did not commit the congregation to anything. It simply said they approved of the doings of the Deacons' Court.

The motion was then put, and declared to be carried by a large majority, amidst applause and disapprobation. Mr A. Law moved the following resolution :: — v That this meeting recommend

to the Deacons' Court that their pastor's salary from the 30th June, 1871, be £450, and from 31st December next, or us soon thereafter as the state of the funds would permit, the amount should be increased fo L 500."

A Voice : "Will you take the reconv jnendation of the congregation I Mr Begg : That is what we want to get. The Voice : Oh ! We were under the impression that you would not take it. Mr Geo. Duncan understood that the reason why the salary was not increased before was because the funds were not sufficient. It would be necessary no\y to make arrangements for meeting the proposed increase.

Mr Beug explained that the amount of seat rents and church-door collections last year was about £000 ; and even allowing for a decrease of £50, they would have £100 in excess of the £450 proposed.

Mr Mercer moved, as an amendment ,011 the last motion, "That with a view to enabling the Church to meet the demands upon it, the minister should be allowed £200 a year, with the Sustentation allowance added."

The Chairman : I hope Mr Mercer will consider what he is doing. That is really a reduction.

Mr Mercer : I do it for the benefit of the Church.— (Laughter. ) The Chairman said that the addition to the Communion roll had during the year been sixty, and it had on an average for the past three years been sixty-four, How, therefore, could they say the congregation had fallen off ? The number of seat-holders had increased since his arrival. It was not right that information qf an unreliable character should be given. At the present time there was £100 clear, and if £50 were added to his stipend there would still be £50 clear, He also pointed out that a considerable number sat in the Church who did not pay pew routs, and that was one reason why the amount received under that head was comparatively low. The feeling of the majority of the congregation was, he believed, with him. — (Oil ! oh !) It was very easy for a few individuals in any congregation to express dissatisfaction ; no doubc that was the case in most churches.

A Voice : You have spoken of us as being troublesome. Ido not think that we are in the majority, but we want to have an opportunity of testing our strength.

Mr Beug moved as an amendment, " That the stipend be at the rate of £400 per annum, as agreed upon by the Deacons' Court, until the end of this year." He moved this because he considered the congregation should always have some funds in hand ; if they continued the stipend at £400 they would have £100 clear, and this, he thought, they should always have.

Mr G. Duncan made a few remarks as to the propriety of the Chairman vacating the chair during a portion of the evening's proceedings. Mr Mercer : Are you satisfied with your present salary I — (Laughter).

The Chairman : I may answer you by saying that I believe that if I had not wished the matter to be referred to the congregation the Deacons' Court would have unanimously passed the £450.

Mr Lawson ; I beg to state for myself that I certainly would not have done anything of the sort ; and there are others who have said so too.

Mr Stewart : Do you say that we passed £450 1

Mr Begg : It was decided that it should be left to the congregation.

The Chairman : Mr Stewart did not hear me. I did not say what he imagines I said. 1 'never brought this matter before the Deacons' Court — (hear, hear) — nor did I ask any person to bring up the matter.

The Chairman entered into an explanation to show that it Avas 011 account of his having handed the dividend over to tho Deacons' Court, that the matter was brought up. It was seen that thoy would still have £50 to the good.

A Voice : Did you apply for the rent of the glebe I The Chairman explained that before this matter was brought up he made enquiries concerning the glebe land, and as to who received the rent from it. But the glebe land was claimed by the general trustees of the Church.

A Voice : Will the money come into the Deacons' Court ?

The Chairman : That is a question pending. Mr Mercer's amendment was then put and lost.

Mr Law's resolution was also lost, and Mr Begg's amendment was carried. Tho Chairman said in justice to himself he wished to state that if £500 a year had been passed be would not have accepted it.— (Oh, oh.) He repeated that until the liabilities connected with the Church — namely, the £75 interest paid on that building, and incidental and other_ expenses connected with

the new church — had been paid, he had made up his mind, although he had mentioned it to no one — (hear, hear) — that if £450 were offered it would be accepted ; but £500 he would not accept, although he would have thanked them. It was in justice to himself that ho made this statement. The meeting shortly afterwards dispersed,