Religious.

Otago Witness, Issue 1421, 15 February 1879, Page 8

Religious.

The Dean of Christchurch is to bo presented with a testimonial for his services, chiefly in recognition of those rendered during the absence of the Primate. The Rev. J. Upton Davis, of Dunedin, preached the anniversary sermon at the Baptist Church at Invercargill on Sunday. There was a large congregation. Bishop Redwood is visiting variouß parts of the Timaru district. He will leave for the North this week. The annual soiree of the Portobello Presbyterian Church was held on Wednesday, the sth. The Rev. A. Greig presided. A choir from Port Chalmers, under the leadership of Captain Boss, rendered a number of selections of sacred music, and addresses were delivered by the Chairman, the Rev. W. Keall, Rev. J. Christie, and other gentlemen. The treasurer's statement showed that although the expsnditure had been unusually heavy, the debit balance of the church, expenditure over receipts, for the year, was only 2s. The contributions to the Sustentation Fund had been larger during the past year than at any time previously. The Roy. Dr Copland, being about to visit Invercargill and Queenstowu, has received a commission from Mr E. B. CargiU, the president of the Bible-in-Schools Association, to deliver addresses on the same, and form district branches where he may think it advisable. The third anniversary of the Mosgiel Congregation was celebrated on Tuesday evening, the 4th instant, by a soiree and musical entertainment. The meeting was held in the first place in the Volunteer Hall, where 18 ladies, members of the congregation, presided at the tables, and dispensed tea and cake to a crowded house. Thereafter there was an adjournment to the church, which is close by. The Rev. John M. Sutherland, M.A., took the chair, and was supported on the platform by Rev. Messrs Will Kirkland, Chisholm, Borrie, and R. R. M. Sutherland. The Chairman intimated that letters of apology for absence had been received from Rev. Dr. Sfcuart and R. Gillies, Esq. A most enjoyable evening was I spent. The Choral Society, under the leader- ! ship of Mr Dryden, discoursed several pieces during the evening admirably well. The evangelistic service in the open air, at the Octagon, on Saturday, was conducted by Messrs Green, Brunton, Varley, and the Rev. L. Mackie, each gentleman giving addresses in turn. The Rev. Dr. Stuart was advertised to take part in the proceedings, but did not do so. It was nearly half-past 10 before the last address was finished. Last night the service in the Queen's Theatre was very largely attended. At the meeting of the Auckland Presbytery, the Clerk read aletterof resignation of thecharge of Waipu, sent by the Rev. J. M'Rae. The writer stated that his resignation was caused by the treatment he had received from his people during his absence. They had undertaken to pay his full stipend, and remit it to him by a oertain time. He had obtained a commission from the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland to Otago, and it was his intention to have proceeded there, but hehadcome before the Presbytery so that he might incur no charge of being ' ' disorderly. " By doing this he had forfeited his passage-m oney . — Mr M 'Kenzie, of Waipu, [said that he vna deputed by the Committee of Waipu to come before the i Presbytery. He asked on their behalf that Mr M'Rae might be allowed to go back.— The i Rev. D. Bruce said : " Under these circumstances the best thing we can do h to allow the letter containing the resignation to lie on the table. I will move to that effect." The motion was carried. The Rev. Mr Monro said the Presbytery ought to be informed how it occurred that the Colonial Committee of the Free Church at Home should give Mr M'Rae a commission to Otago at the same time that Mr M'Rae was in charge of a congregation under the Auckland Presbytery. Had the Committee done this of their own motion, or did Mr M'Rae ask them to do it? — Mr M'Rae said that there was a former letter in which there was a commission offered him. At that time there was no irregularity in the matter. He had not asked them in the way suggested. — The Revs. Messrs Runciman and Macnicol thought if the Colonial Committee had acted as stated, a greater insult to the Presbytery could not be offered. — The Rev. Mr Bruce suggestod postponing action till further information be obtained. — It was ultimately unanimously resolved — " That the clerk of the Presbytery be instructed to communicate with the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland as to the fact of Mr M'Rae having obtained a commission from the Colonial Committee."