PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT* MIDDLEMARCH AND HYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2210, 9 July 1896, Page 26

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT* MIDDLEMARCH AND HYDE.

At the meeting of the Dunediu Presbyterjr on 'the 7th,

A letter was received from the sessions clerk at Middlemaroh to the effect that at a meeting of the congregation held on the 24th ult. it wai decided to ask the presbytery to deolare Middlematch and Hyde a separate charge. The Rev. J. M. M'Kerrow, who had presided at the meeting in question, explained that it was proposed^ that Hindon and Deep Stream be iio w . aim xed to the charge, and that Hamilton and Sowburu be struck off.

Tho Moderator observed that that would mean cutting off both ends of the oharge. He thought the suggestion was an impracticable one.

The Rev. Mr M'Kerrow skated that there was a great deal to bo Baid in its favour. The charge was 60 miles long, and it was impossible to have services every Sabbath at both Mirtdl •• march and Hyde. In the interests of too<e two townships he thought the request should be grauted. The Riv. W. Will thought that Hamilton and Sowburn really belonged to the Dunstan Presbytery. Ho considered there was plenty of work for a minis -er .to look after Middlemarch and Hyde, but what were they to do with the remainder of the district ? He suggested appointing a zni&ionary to look after Deep Stream and Hindon, but to be under the control of Che Middlemarch parish. If that could not be done, the only other course was to let the Middlemarch minister go once a month to Hindou and Daep Stream.

The Moderator expressed the opinion that if Middleimrch looked after Hanoilton and So* burn the Church Extension Committee would provide a missionary for Hindon and Deep Stream.

The Rev. J. Christie felt sure that when the railway was completed there would be two parishes, Middlemarch, Hindon, and Deep Stream being one, Hyde, Hamilton, Sowburn and the surrounding districts the other.

Mr Hat, an elder of the Middlem*rch congregation, said it w*s quite evident that the ideas of the presbytery were not in acoord with the idea/) ot their congregation. He considered it was a great mistake to have added Hamilton and Sowburn to their parish, as daring toe last six months it had cost them over £30 to flud supply for Hamilton and Sowburn.- They felt anxious to support themselves, and during the last six months their treasurer had collected over £100 towards the sustentation fund, and from this he felt certain that they would eatily make up the rainimifu amount required to have » minister of their own. In the course of a lengthy speech Mr Hay give numerous reasons in support of their request, one of thorn beiog that the Church of England was making strong ift'oi-ts to obtain a footing iv the district, and another wa« that Hamilton and Sowburn were being well supplied by the Weelcyan Church, and the people in th»t district ware not very anxious to have Presbyterian services. The Rev. Mr Sutuk»L4.nd was of opinion a missionary should be granted ta Middlemaroh and Hyde, who could assist the' minister at both ends.

The Rev. Mr Don thought; there would soon ba a neceaiity for two parishes— ono ia the Dunstan Prcsbjtery, which would include Hamilton and So it burn.

The Modebatob depreoated the idea of loiing the grip of, any territory that had been acquired. Other denominations wera stepping ia whilst they were supine in the nutter of church extension. He considered it was a shame and disgrace that the souls of mea in these out-of-the-way regions were not better looked after by the presbytery. He considered that the Dunstan Presbytery needed to lose some of its terrilorr instead of having any more tacked oa to it. With the slightest encouragement he would be willing to urge the Church Extension Committee to send up a missionary to Hamilton, Sowburn, and surrounding districts, t The Rev. W. H. Ash moved and the Rev. J. M. M'Kkrrow seconded—" That Middlemarch and Hyde be created a separata charge : that it ba recommended to the Church Extension Committee to send a missionary to Hindon and Lee Stream, which shall be connected with Middlemarch and Hyde, aud that ho bo under the charge of the minister at Middlemarch and Hyde ; also that the convener of the Church Extension Committee continue corretpondonce with Mr M'Cosh Smith at to the possibility of appointing a missionary for Hamilton, Sowburn, and other district!, who shall be under Mr Smith's care." — Two amendments having been made and lost, the motion was carried.

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