CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2963, 28 December 1910, Page 38

CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

The Clutha Presbytery met at Balclutha •on Dec 21. when there were present the Rev. Mr Blair, Moderator, and Messrs S. W. Currie, Fraser, Mi Hey Allan, W. T. Currie, Ponder, Brown, V* illiams, Spence, and Watson (Ministers), Messrs Reid, M'Caw, M‘Hattie, Dallas, Paterson, Edwards, Clark, and Kilgour (elders), and Mr M’Lean, homo missionary. The Moderator welcomed the Rev. Mr Watson to the Presbytery, and the Rev. Mr Williams on his return from a holiday to the Home Country. The Clerk laid on the table the minute of the Assembly granting the Rev. Mr Dalrvmple the jtosition of minister emeritus and a scat in the Presbytery. —It was agreed to add Mr Dalrymple’s name to the roll. The Clerk laid on the table the resolution of Assembly appointing the Rev. Mr Fraser superintendent of home missions. Mr Fraser intimated his acceptance of the office, and his resignation, in consequence, of Lovell’s Flat congregation. Mr Millar reported that he had met with the Lovell s Flat congregation on Monday, the 18th inst , and that the following resolution had been carried i—" That we, the pong rogation of Lovell’s Flat Church, while deeply regretting tho departure of our minister, the Rev. P. B. Fraser, M.A., would place no obstacle in the way of his accepting his new office. We are pleased tha-t he has been called to a greater sphere of work, for which his special gifts make him specially fitted. And we desire to place on record our high appreciation of the good work he has done in our midst. He has set before us from Sabbath to Sabbath the rich treasures of the Word of God, has never failed to point us to the Saviour and friend of men, and has stimulated and strongthened us for the duties and battles or -ib‘We feel that we arc losing a friend who has had our best interests at .heart, and whose kindly sympathy has always been an inspiration to us all. Wo shall greatly miss Mr and Mrs Fraser and family from our midst, and pray that God may- go witn them and abundantly bless them wherever m His wise providence Ho may lead them. Messrs Dunlop, Bryce, and Cunningham, as commissioners from Loved s Flat, al=o appeared, and referred at length ro the good work of 'Mr Fraser m the district, and their high estimate of his worth a-s a minister and friend. The Rev Mr moved as follows“ Tnat tho Presbytery accepts with deep regret the resignation ot tho charge of Lovell’s Flat. fren. the 28th of February next, of the Key 1 . i • Fra=er M.A., and wishes him every success in his new sphere of wont as superintendent of homo morons Mr Fraser has been an able minister of the. Gospel for nearly 14 years in one of our important country chargee, where ho a* done splendid service m fostering and building up tho work of Christ s Kingdom, and whore he has endeared himself to his people, and has helped and inspired them by his able preaching of the Word or God and by his kindly sympathy and helpfulness Ho has been a most capable amt diligent member of Presbytery, and has also taken a loading and honoured part in the Synod and General Assembly. Mr Fraser' has also done very important work in the interests of education m Otago, tor several years has sat upon the Education Board and has done more to stimulate education than arty man in this province The motion was seconded bv Mr ALan. and very heartily agreed to. Several of tho members present also testified to Mi Fraser’s good work and worth, and Mr Fraser suitably replied, aoknowlcdging the kindly wishes of tho brethren and his appreciation of their generous estimate ot What ho had done. It was agreed to appoint the Rev. Mr Brown moderator during the vacancy, and that he should declare the church vacant on the first Sunday of March next. Messrs S. W. Currie and Miller were appointed to represent the Presbytery on the Sustentation Fund Committee, and on tho Church Extension Committee for next year. . . The ooTfg rogation a 1 records or W aita-uuna, Tolcomairiro, Waivrera South. Balclutha, ICaitangata. Lawrence, Popotunoa, Mnburn, and Clutha-Waropa were examined, and found correct. Mr Allan submitted plans and specifications for a cottage manse at Beaumont, and, after examination, it was agreed to approve of the same, and to make application for tho grant in aid. It was reported that Mr Anderson a house and 11 aoi-Gfl of land at Rormahapa. had been purchased for a manse and glelie for South Molynoux Home Mission charge. It was agreed to grant leave to the Deacons Court of South Molynoux to mortgage the manse and glebe for £l7O, the amount oi the congregation’s present indebtedness on tho property. Mr f’onuer intimated that the Waitahuna congregation purposed erecting a new manse, and asked the Presbytery to appoint a committee to examine the plans and specifications, and have them ready fo -- next Presbytery. —It was a.grocd to appoint a committee, consisting of Messrs Allan - . Miller, Reid, MTlattie, and Edio, for this purpose. It was agreed to adjourn to meet at Owaka on Thursday. sth January, at 6.30 p.m., for the ordination of Mr Tylee, and at Milton for ordinary business on Wednesday, Bth February, at 10 a.m.