PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS’ APPOINTMENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2935, 15 June 1910, Page 16

PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS’ APPOINTMENTS.

A PROPOSAL REJECTED. A proposal sent down by the General Assembly for consideration was rejected by the Dunedin Presbytery on the 7th by a large majority. The Clerk explained that the suggestion offered would, if brought into effect, completely alter the present method of appointing ministers to charges. The Presbytery would make a list of ministers it regarded as suitable for a vacancy, which would in turn be considered by a selection committee. If the vacancy remained for nine months, the Presbytery would have power to fill it without the option of a call. The Rev. Mr Kinmont moved that the Presbytery do not agree to this proposal. He said it was not by any means accept" able, and it cut right at the very foundations of their methods of work. It practically meant that the Presbytery should act as the patron of the congregations. The Presbytery would make a list of four minister's—whomsoever it pleased—and the list would bo handed over to a selection committee, which would have to choose one. Then, if the congregation did not find the minister selected acceptable, and the vacancy was not filled within nine months, the Presbytery might make the appointment on its own authority. The Rev Mr Borrie: I will second the motion. The only sensible thing in the while concern is the proposal that no one should be allowed to go and preach to a “ vacant ” congregation who has not been five years in a charge. The Rev. Mr Cameron said he thought that this was a matter that interested the sessions. He moved as an amendment that the matter be submitted to the consideration of the sessions, and that the latter be asked to report before August.^ The Rev. Mr Erwin: We have no option; we are bound to send this on to the sessions. The' Rev. Mr Cameron said that he wanted the Presbytery to get the opinions of the sessions before’ itself coming to a decision on the matter. The Rev. Mr Sutherland: I think we should stick to the motion for the guidance of the sessions. The Rev. Mr TCinmont’s motion was’ carried by a large majority.