RELIGIOUS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1651, 14 July 1883, Page 11

RELIGIOUS.

The Presbyterian SusfcuLut'um Fiiml

On Wednesday evening (3rd) a public writing Wai held in tho ifhso Chinch to receive a deputation, consisting of tho Itcvn. W. Bannerman (Pueiuu)atid J. Clark (I'ahtieniton), from tho Bustentation Fund (JommiUeo. The Rev, LI. W. Michie (Mornington), modouttor of Prcubytery, presided. Tho Ray. W. Bavnkkman, in introducing the matter of tho Sustontation Fund, .xud it was a fund which should occasionally ho brought before the congregations, that they should be shown their obligations to it, and should be urged to their utmost to supporb it, in order to secure the groat purpose for which it was instituted — to supply tho means of grace throughout the Colony to those who were connected with the Presbyterian Church and tho congregations which were unable to wholly support their o*n Ministry, to preach t,lie Gospel and arlminUtpr the Christian ordinances, fn a now country like this it gocuiiid in him co bo essentially necessary that a fund sucl^ ;is this should be instituted ant' maintained. In this line of tho strong assisting the weak had the fund buert organised, and he was sorry tt) 6eß that it was nyt ro largely supported ay might be expected. _ It was neoof-sary that from time to time the fund should bo explained to the members of the various congregation.-; of the Presbyterian faith, as in »oino quite a different mode hod been adopted for supporting tho Christian ministry. It could be seen at once that unless all contributed to this cotnmon fund it never could reach such a position as to fulfil the great purpose for which it had been instituted. When first instituted, it had been proposed to pay a. dividend of £300 to each minister, but that amount was reduced to £250. However, they had started much lower than that, and had remained low ever since, and a suggestion had been made that the dividond ought to reach at least that amount. No one, he thought, would consider £250 per annum to a minister a large sum, when they considered that many clerks in this town, who required less training than a minister, were receiving much larger salaries; and when they considered the number of years of preparation the minister had to undergo, and what was required of him, they could not say that the Church had been exoibitant hitherto, or was now exorbitant in its desire to see the fund so increased that the minimum salary for every minister should not br lesa than £250. Year by year tho dividend had been somewhat lessening, and extensions when made had been made at the expense of the ministry. It was high time that both elders, deacons, and members should take the matter into consideration, as there was a sure prospect of the churches being multiplied through the extension of land settlement. Throughout our province people were scattering themselves, and the Church must follow them. And how were the churches to be srtpported unless the fund was iargely increased ? He thought the fund would be in a position to meet all requirements were the officers personally who undertook the matter to do their duty. He was perfectly satisfied that if every member of our churches had an opportunity given them to contribute towards this fund it would very soon be increased ; and such an opportunity should be given. The Rev. Mr Clark also spoke in favour of the fund being more system atically_ canvassed. People had got into the habit of giving a certain amount, and, no matter whether the times were prosperous or not, that sum was never increased. He considered that the Scriptural principle should be followed, and that, all should give according as God prospered them. In order to give a man £250, at which they had been aiming for the last 20 years, if every member contributed the small sum of l^d per week more than he was now doing, Is 6d per quarter, or 6s per year, the whole thing would be accomplished without any difficulty. The Rev. Mr Will moved that a vote of thanks should be accorded to the deputation for their appearance, and for their interesting addresses on the subject. He felt sure that if the congregation took a hearty interest in the question, the result required would soon be gained. Professor Salmond seconded the mot'on, and pointed out that it was the richer members of the congregations who should be expected to meet this emergency. Mr A. C. Beuu thought that if the ministers once a year, or perhaps oftener, imprebhed this question upon their congregations, the fund would be the better for it.

Mr W. D. Stewart agreed with tho addresses which had been given, and which he considered were admirable. He also agreed with the preaching of a sermon on the question, which might be introduced by the circulation in printed form of the arguments put forward "by the deputation explaining the matter. Another method of increasing the fund might be by publishing the names of the subscribers, or the names of all those who contributed above a certain amount.

The Rev. Mr Finlayson unfolded the plan which had been adopted at Blueskin, and which so far had worked successfully, for collecting money for the fund. The Rev. Dr Stuart said he had very little to say, but at the same time he might confess that he had mentioned the matter from time to time to his congregation, and whatever defect there might be in contributing towards this fund, it could not arise from ignorance. He found in visiting his congregation that ono would contribute largely to the Sustentation Fund, another to the Benevolent Society, and another to some other fund, and he did not know that they could dispute their right to select an object upon which to bestow their liberality. It seemed to him that there was a kind of hard religion prevailing among them ; there was an absence of warmth and fervour. He was ashamed of the audience which had assembled. If the congregations of the city of Dunedin and suburbs could only send this small number of representatives, it showed there were not many for God amongst them. He did think that the first requirement of a congregation was to realise that they belonged to God, but until then he did not see how the fund was to succeed. He believed there was a great deal of truth in the remark which had been made that_ our wealthy people did not contribute according to their means. He had little faith in lectures on Sustentation Fund to the congregation—many did not like money matters introduced on the Sabbath. How thay were going to obtain what was roquired ho did not know. Ho did not think it would be until they could reach the souls of the congregation. The Presbyterians of Dunedin had not now the tenth of the heart they had 20 years ago. He did npt know whether they needed some of the baptism of the Spirit brought into thoir midst. _ Perhaps if it fell upon their churches it might do soino good. Mr Clark had referred to _ educated ministers ; but it would appear that it would be bettor it' ministers were not educated at all. Those who disparaged education were run after. They seemed to satisfy the people, Tt might be tha excitement, but it troubled him when ho thought of it. But it was tho duty of the congregations t-o see that th°ir ministqrs and

families were adequately supported, and this would not be done unless it was done by the local congregation. -He freely supported the vot.c of thanks, and sincerely hoped the effect of tho speeches would be that greater interest would be shown in the Sustentation Fund and all other funds. The motion was put and carried. The Stistentation Fund Committee of the Presbyterian Chtirch met on Tuesday morning, and the Treasurer reported the following con tributions for the half-year ended June 30 : — Congregational contributions : Anderson's r.ay, £100; Bluoskin and Merton-, £78 4'! ; 1 )unedin First, £203 9s 6d ; Knox, £286 19s 8.1 ; Green Island, £104 9s ; Kaikorai, £110 ; iMoniington, £l<0; Portobello, £97 14s (id ; Port Chalmers, £116 10s 6d ; Taieri JKast, £141 S< ; do West, £133 4s ; do North and Mosgiel, £115 ; Balclutha, £99 10s 6d ; Clutha, ClO.i ; [nch-Clutha, £107 16s Od ; Lawrence, £101 ; Popotunoa, £109 12s ; Tapanui, £80 4s 6d ; Tokomairiro, £141 17s ; Waihola, £102 3^ Od ; Waitahuna, £89; Knapdale, £104 11s 9d ; Warepa, £lOS 2s Gd ; Alexandra, £75 ; Cromwell, £100 ; Mount fda, £100 ; Teviot, £85 ; fnvercargill Fitst, £157 16s; do St. Paul's, £110 ; Limestone Plains, £87 ss ; Mataura, £91 11s 5 do Lower, £78 13s Gd ; Ofceramika and Longbush, £89 ; Queenstown, £100 ; ! Riverton, £82; Waikaia, £75; Wallacetown, £100 14s 6d ; Winton, £91 10s ; Oamaru, £123 2s 6d ; do, Columba, £100 ; Palmerston, £118 : 17s ; Papakaio, £109 15a (Jd ; Waikouaiti, £100; Waiareka (three months), £50; Upper Waitaki, £88 ; donation (Miss Mure), £9 14a 8d ;— total, £4870 13s lOd. The Caversham, North Dunedin, South Duuedin, St. Andrew's, and Otepopo and Kakauui congregations have failed fco send in their returns, and the circumblance formed the subject of much comment, as the ministers of some of the congregations will necessarily be sufferers by thus being deprived of the equal dividend. The dividend for the half-year was declared at £108 14s.

Church Property Bill.

At Tuesday's meeting of the "Presbyterian Synod, the Rev. Mr Banner&ajt spoke to the bill concerning Church property. He stated that the bill had been prepared by the Church Property Board and advertised in the local paper, and was to be presented to Parliament for the purpose of obtaining alterations in the Synod Act of 1866. The Board, he submitted, had given no intimation to the Synod of the bill, neither had they asked the Synod's concurrence in the matter, — and, not having done so, he considered the meeting should pass a resolution that the Board had no right to ask for new legislation in respect to Church property. The remarks made by the Rev. Mr Bannerman were supported by a large number of the gentlemen present, and ultimately, on the motion of that gentleman, seconded by Dr Copland, it was resolved— " That the Synod does not recognise the right of the Board of Property to seek further legislation in connection with the Church property without the knowledge and concurrence of the Synod, and regrets that the Board should have taken steps to introduce the bill recently prepared by the Board without that concurrence."

It was also resolved, on the motion of the Rev. Mr Bannerman, seconded by the Rev. Mr Will — " That the Synod requests the Board of Church Property to withdraw the proposed bill, and appoints the following committee to confer with the Board in regard to the said bill, with a view to other amendments (if necessary) in the Acts obtained by this Church being secured in connection with the bill prepared by the Board ; the Committee to prepare their report and circulate the same among the members of the Synod early in December next; the Committee to be instructed to watch over the whole matter, with power in the name of the Synod to petition Parliament against the bill being introduced."

The clerk was ordered to remit to the Church Board of Property an extract of the minutes and resolutions adopted. The following were appointed the Committee ; — The Moderator, Revs. Bannerman (convener), Professor ' Salmond, Will, Finlayson, Clark, Messrs Begg, Adam, Runciman, T. M. Macdonald, J. Duncan, and Dr Copland. The benediction having been pronounced, the meeting adjourned.