DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 28

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

A meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was held yesterday in the hall of First Church. Sederunt: The Revs. J. Kirkland (actingmoderator), Dr Watt, W. Will, A. M. Finlayson (clerk), J. M. Fraser, J. Christie, A. Greig, R. J. Porter, D. Borrie, A. Cameron, J M. M'Kerrow, J. Gibson Smith, H. Adamson, D. i Dutton, and J. Gibb (ministers); Messrs J. Pate rson, E. B. Cargill, T. Scott, W. H. Ash, W. Hutton, J. W. Laing, F. Marshall, D. Thomson, and W. Martin (elders). THE LATE DB STUART. On the motion of the Rev. D. Borrie, seconded by the Rev. W. Will, the following minute was recorded :: — •• The presbytery desires to place on record its deep sense.of bereavement by the death of the Rev. D. M. Stuart, D.D. After a successful ministry of 11 years in Falstone, Northumberland, he was* selected to occupy the second oharge in this city, j From the time of his induction ia 1860 till his j death he fulfilled his ministiy with extraordinary fidelity and success. Under his guidance Knox Church congregation has become widely known as one of the largest and most prosperous in the whole Presbyterian Church. Nor was his influence for good confined to his own congregation, but the Church of Otago and Southland has been greatly strengthened and increased by the help of his cheerful and helpful energy. The Presbytery expresses its profound gratitude to God for sending to this church such a man, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, whose example as a devoted Christian and whose indefatigable labours in the service of Christ have greatly helped the building up of the Kingdom of God in this land. In the interests of education ar.d philanthropy, and in whatever wa« fitted to advance the temporal or spiritual well-being of the community, Dr Stuart waß ever ready to help by counsel, by public advocacy, and by personal liberality. The presbytery rejoices to recognise the unanimous testimony of all classes ' and creeds to the excellence, worth, and usefulness of their departed friend and brother. The presbytery prays that the memory of bis devoted life may move many others to emulate his works of faith, and labours of love, and patience of hope." NORTH TAIERI. A memorial was submitted from the officebearers and congregation of North Taiuri requesting that a guarantee Bhould be made that the Rev. William Williamson Lowe, whom it was desired to call to the pastoral charge, should, at the termination of his probation, be established in the charge of the congregation.

The Rev. A. M. Finlayson was at a loss to know what the presbytery could do with the document.

The Acting- Moderator : I do not know, I am sure.

The Rev. A, M. Finlatson : The presbytery cannot recognise it as a formal document. After some discussion, in which several members of the presbytery took exception to the nature of the memorial, it was resolved on the motion of the Rev. D, Bobbie—" That the document be returned to the Kirk Session of North Taieri with an intimation that the presbytery cannot sanction any official relation between Mr Lowe and the congregation until he is eligible for a call.

A VIBITOB.

Tke Rev. Alexander Skene, of Brunswick, Melbourne, who is to supply the pulpit of Enox Church for a period, was introduced by the Rev. A. M. Finlayeon and associated with the presbytery,

MARRIAGE WITH DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER; The presbytery took up the adjourned debate 'on the following overture proposed by Mr Will, to be transmitted to the synod • " Whereas a very large majority of the officebearers and members of the church are desirous of union with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand ; whereas the opinion and practice of the church iv the north regarding marriage with a _ deceased wife's sister are at such variance with the opinion and practice of thia church as to present an insuperable barrier to the consummation of the union so much desired ; whereas marriage with the sister of a deceased wife is sanctioned by the civil law of this country ; and whereas some members of our own church have contracted such marriages : it is humbly overtured by the Presbytery o£ Dunedin to the Synod of Otago and Southland to take the premises into its very serious consideration, and to remove the aforesaid barrier to union as the synod in its wisdom may deem most conducive to the welfare of the church and the promotion of the glory of God."

The discussion waß continued by Mr Martin, who supported the overture. The Rev. J. Kirkland argued that for a man to marry his deceased wife's sister was not to marry one who was near of kin, for, according to the Scriptures, the wife waa not near of kin to the husband, and much less, therefore, was her aiater in kinship to the husband. There was nothing in tho world in the eighteenth verse of the eighteenth chapter of Leviticus to interdict marriage with a deceased wife's sister. Tho Word of God gave him clearly to understand that there was permission given to man to marry his deceased wife's sister. The Rev. D. Don on supported the overture, and the Rev. W. Will having replied, It was resolved by 15 votes to 6 to transmit the overture to the synod. MISCELLANEOUS. A report from a committee upon the Home Missionary scheme was adopted. An application from. Mr W, H. Ash for tho appointment of subjects for examination with a view to license, was referred to a committee with power to act. It was agreed to place Leith Valley under the pastoral care of tho North Dunedin congregation, and Mount Cargill and Pine Hill under the care of tho North-East Valley congregation.