PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 29

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD

ANNUAL MEETING. The. Synod of Ofcago and Southland commtnced its unnual meeting in First Church on the 2nd inst. There was a large attendance of ministers and elders. THK MODERATOR'S ADDRESS. After devotional exercises, the Rev. Wm. Scorgie (retiring Moderator) preached on the subject of "Our Besetting Sin," taking for his text Hebrews xii. 1. "This passage," he said il is made up of a fourfold exhortation'and a threefold vision. From the heroes of the past the author exhorts us to face our contest with courage. From his knowledge of how hard the contest is to be he exhorts us to lay aside every weight. From his knowledge of the distance lie exhorts us to run with patience the race set before us. From his knowledge of the temptations and distractions we must encounter lie exhorts us to look unto Jesus for inspiration and strength. IJo then gives us a threefold vision—a vision of sin that 13 at once central and supreme sin—as an entanglement—the sin that doth closely cling to us, or the sin that doth so easily beset us, and sin as an antagonist, that we must resist unto blood. There is a vision of life from the standpoint, of the racecourse and the arena. In the one case life is a race to be run with patience, and in the other a figir. to be fought with courage to the death—a vision of Christ from the standpoint of the cross and the crown He is at once their example and ideal of patient running victorious fighting, and glorious rewarding. He endured the cross and despised the shame. Now, the point of the whole paragraph is that these Hebrew Christians were exposed to a special tation, and were in danger of a special sin —viz., faintheartedness and want of courage in the face of appreciation. To escape persecution tbev were tempted to show the white feather and give up religion, the Church, and Christ. That was their besetting sin. Every nation has its besetting sin Every nation lives under certain conditions of' climate, constitution, character, commerce, government, law, and order. Out of these rise its distinctive virtues and vices. These- are the soil; its virtues and vices are its fruits. The Hebrew national sin was avarice, the Greek was voluptuousness, the Roman was cruelty, the Teuton was gluttony, the Antr'o-Saxon drunkenness. Every age has its besetting sin. History is divided into ancient, mediaeval, and modern. Go back and you find slavery was the master sin of ancient history, with all its attendant, evils of cruelty and degradation. Then came militarism, with its evil brood and bloodshed. Then came commercialism, with its sordid poverty and boundless wealth; its industrial slavery and wealthy trusts. In shorter periods we have had popular sins. The eighteenth century may be covered by the word debauchery, and the nineteenth by the word drink. There was more drunkenness in the eighteenth century, but not so much drinking; to-day we have more drinking and less drunkenness. Every individual has his besetting sin It is said that in germ all the vices find a homo in every heart. But only in one of these does the soul's real danger lio. By heredity, surroundings, and character you give one of these the required soil, and it grows strong till it colours, controls, and captures you. We tulk about the seven deadly si.is and their influence over men. Your" great danger is not the seven, but the one deadly sin. All weeds do not grow equally strong in the same soil. One soil has a natural affinity for one weed. It will grow th\t weed -lone. So one soul lias a natural affinity for one sin, and that sin is its besetting sin. One man loves money, but. hates pleasure: one loves pleasure, but despises money. One is proud as Lucifer, but hates impurity. So that seven men will divide the seven deadly sins among them, and each one will cling to his one sin, but. congratulate himself that he is not guilty of the other six. Every man will dc the same, and yet ignore his one besetting sin—the one sin that is slaying his soul. Now, what is your besetting sin'.' We must cast it aside." Lay aside the sin that is your special enticement and entanglement, as the athlete strips off and lays aside his garments as he enters the racecourse or arena. We are altogether too easy on our besetting dns, because we have become accustomed to them as part of ourselves. We look on them as our weakness. We inherit them as some families inherit a given cast of features. You must cast aside your sin, or it will keep you out of the kingdom of God. Wo must light it as our deadliest foe. What is it that makes your peace of soul, ■your joy of heart, and all life dull and all religion distasteful to you'.- Your besetting sin. Therefore, to conquer and your besetting sin is to be free. To be defeated here is to lie defeated always and everywhere. Your fate, like Israel's, will bo decided by single combat. Your besetting sin is your Goliath. He challenges you and defies; you. Slay him and you are tree; be slain by him and you are lost. It does not matter by what name you call it. or what torm it takes, your eternal doom is sealed if yon do not slay it. Your eternal salvation "is siir.i if you do. It is an accepted fact among; mechanics that a chain is no stronger i!:an its weakest link, a fortress than it- weakest spot, a boiler than its thinnest plate. What is true in the sphere of mechanics is also true in the sphere of morals -i man is no stronger than his weakest spot. You are only as good as your worst part, as strong as your weakest part- Therefore, yon must sot yourself, by watchfulness, prayer, and reliance on the help of Christ to strengthen the weak si>ot.'' Til;: ROLL. After the retiring Moderator had dispensed the Lord's Supper the roll was read as fol'ow.s: Presbytery of Dun din.—Revs. Wm. Will, Professor Watt, I). I).. A. Greig. M.A.. A. M. Finlavson. R. R. M. Sutherland, R. Waddell, D.D.. J. Christie. A. Cameron, E A., D. Button. A Don:. I. K". MTntyre. Professor Hewitson. 8.A., W. Scorgie, R. Fairmaid, J. J. Cairnev, .1. Chisholm, I). M'Coll, A. W. Kinmont. .X! A., J. Kit pairkk. H. B. Gray. J. Ait ken, M.A.. W. T. Todd. P. Milno. E. A Axelsen. J. Lymburn, W. Sponco, R. E. Davies, M.A.. A. Whvte. M.A., B.Sc., 8.D.. Professor Dickie, M.A., W. Grav Dixon. M.A.. G. Lindsav. G. H. Balfour, M.A., 8.D.. R. .Scott Allan. H. H. Barton. M.A.. I). K. Fisher. Elders: Mr P. G. Prydo. Rev. J. Niv.-ji, Captain M'Callum, Messrs D Kennedy. .1. Wright, R, Chisholm. W. L. Crater, W. Henderson, W. Cow. D. A. M'Nieoll. J. IT. Seaton. R. .1. Sparks, i). Wilson. N. MT.ean. T. Scott. A Ross, T. Somerville, R. Bayley. A. More, W. G.

Stewart. W. Bennett. R. Hanning, 0. Findlay. ~. _ , Presbytery of Olutha.—Revs. A. M. Dalrvmple, M.A., J. U Spence, G. Miller, W. W. Brown, R. H. Blair, S W . Curne. M \ J. S. Pender, W. T. Curne, H. Williams, G. M'Neur. A. Watson, F. Tylee, T. N. Cuttle. P. C. Durward, M.A., A. Morton. Elders: Messrs D. Ryrie, A. Tweed, W. Smaill. J. Sterihouse, A. Dunlop, D. Manson, J. Campbell. J. B. Watt. P. M'Kinlav, M.A., R. M'Caw, J. Ayson, J. Reid. Presbytery of Southland.—Revs. Jame.s Baird, A. MaodonaW. M.A. E. Bissett. J. Gumming, M.A., C. A. Gray, M.A., A. Laishlev, W. F. Findlay, A. K. Ross, A. D Kiridand. O. Michelsen, R. Mackie. R. Welsh, R. M. Rvbum, M.A., R. M. G. M'Dowell, J. D. Webster, D. J. A. Shaw. J W Shaw, M.A . J. A. Rvbum, J. E. Lopdell. H. W. Burridge. M.A.. A. Begg, M.A., J. Miller. J. Macgregor, J. Erwin. B.A. Elder: Mr Robert Ross. Presbvterv of Oainaru. —Revs. P. S. Hay, M.A.. W. Nicbol. P. C. Ronnie, T. Neave, J. Steven, J. C. Paterson, M.A., W. Wright, R.. J. Porter. J. Clarke, J. Standring, D. Campbell, J. D. Wilson. Elders: Messrs Jame.s Findlay, James Don, W. W. Beswick, Angus Ross, R. Jackson Presbyterv of Dunsta.n. —Revs. J. M'Cosh Smith, ' M.A., 8.D., J. O. Gillie, 8.A., A. V. (i. Chandler, C. N. Moody. M.A.. E. Adams. W. Rowlands, J. H. Thomson, F. R. Blue. Presbytery of Mataura. —Revs. J. Collie, M.A., W. Marshal!, D. Maclennan, M.A.. A. Orav. T. Paulin. A. H.ardio, G. M'Donald, S. Gaston. J. M'lnnes, M.A.. G. W. T. Hercus, W. Hain. S. Robertson Orr. W ,F. Eva.ra, A. Sangster, 8.D.. W. Milne, J. M. Davidson, M.A. Elders: Messrs F. Prinprle, John Gordon, A. Aitken, A. M'Kinnon. J. W. Dunn, M. Dickie. W. Tavlor, M. M'Lav, pin., John Tklgar, R. Mackay, D. Maslin. A. J. Nichol. GENERAL. The Rev. J. Clarke, of Palmerston, was elected as Moderator for the ensuing year. A committee was appointed to look into a number of papers respecting an appeal and a complaint from the Mataura Presbytery with regard to a decision of the Presbytery with a view to laying the matter before the Synod, the committee to consist, of Rev. Mr Chisholm, Rev. Mr Rvburn, and Mr Walter Gow. It was resolved that the discussion on tho relation of Sabbath sx-hools to church work be postponed till next annual meeting of Synod. The Synod adjourned until 10 a.m. today. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3. The Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland resumed at 10 a.m. on the 3rd inst.. the Rev. James Clarke, Palmerston, Moderator, presiding. TSie proceedings were opened with prayer, a.nd the reading of a portion of the 52nd chapter of Isaiah. SESSIONS REPRESENTATIVES. The Clerk (the Rev. A. M. Finlavson) road commissions from Tokomaru and St. Paul's. Oama.ru, appointing Messrs J. Reid and H. Allen respectively as their representatives at the Synod. The commissions were agreed to. MODERATOR FOR 1913. It was announced by the clerk that five presbyteries had nominated a moderator for 1913, and that the Dunedin Presbytery had not nominated anyone. The names mentioned for the office of moderator were the Revs. R. Fairmaid and A. M. Macdonald. He propos >d that the Rev. Mr Fairmaid be moderator for next year. The Rev. J. Cumming seconded the proposition, and it was carried amid applause. The Moderator-elect, having thanked the Synod for his election to this high office, promised to do al! in his power to carry out the duties pertaining to his position successfully. CHURCH GRANTS. The Convener of ft** Finance Committee (the Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland) announced the following applications for grants : —For a new church at Weston ; for the purchase of four acvn of land as a glebe in tho Clutha district, the cost of which waa set down at £l2 10s nor acre; an estimated sum of £3O for repairs fo theOwakamansej for tho purchase of a church site at South Invercargill; additions to the manse at Forest Hill, at an estimated cost of £2OO. Leave was requested to sell tho manse at i-imestono Plains, and a grant applied for a new manso. Also to sell the present church and site at Warrington, and a grant for a new church. A new church was applied for for Dreti Plains, and a new manse for Waikiwi.—The whole of the applications were granted. THE CHALMERS CHURCH. A special grant was applied for for the purchase of tli.e Chalmers Church. This matter was taken in committee, and tho Synod, after bavins: heard the Rev. Mr Sutherland's explanations of the position which had rendered it necessary to make this application, unanimously decided to make the grant asked for. Anderson's bay church. The application by Anderson's Ray for a grant of £SOO and a special grant of £750 for a new church, to be constructed in brick, was well received after Mr Sutherland had explained that the special grant was required in order to provide accommodation for the children from tin." Presbyterian orphanages at Shiel Hill. The Rev. J. Cumming stated that the orphans were the heirs of the whole church. and should be cared for. lie considered the grants should be made without any hesitation.—The Synod agreed to both grants being made. FI XANTE COMMITTEE. The Revs. R. R. M. Sutherland, J. Chisholm,.!. Cumming. W. Nicol, S. W. Currie, E. Adams, J. Collie, and five others to be appointed, were elected the Finance Committee for the present year. The Dunedin members were appointed !o act, as the executive of this committee, with the Rev. Mr Sutherland as convener. TERRITORIAL EN'CAM I'M EXTS. The Rev. Mr Dution applied to the Synod for a grant of £IOO towards the cost of two marquees a.nd their equipment, to be used for the church work at encampments. In referring to those encampments, lie said that there wa,s a great need for the church to be represented there. He pointed out thai r/y./Jberr, of t-hcir Bible classes went there, and it was t/he duty of the church to follow them and help them in every way The Young Men's Christian Association wa.s doing a splendid work at these camps, and he did not think the church could do better than to throw in their lot with them. Ho mentioned that Knox Church had donated £lO and (he Milfon Church £o towards providing the necessary furnishings for these marquees, and there were other donations forthcoming.— It was resolved to thank tho Rev. Mr Duttou for the information .contained in

his address, and to recommend the application to the liberality of the Synod and tho scheme outlined to tho church. AN' APPEAL. An appeal from Mataura was taken in committee, and it was eventually decided that it be dealt with the next morning.. Professor Dickie, of Knox College, reported that the college library was not equipped as well as he would like it to be, and ho appealed to those who had any works of reference they did not require to hand them over to the college. He concluded by saying that perhaps somebody might feel disposed to present the inst'tution with a complete set of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. THURSDAY, APRIL 4. The Synod resumed at 10 a.m., the Rev. J. Clarke (Moderator) presiding, sx. Margaret's college. Tho first business branssacted was to receive the following report submitted by Mr W. S. Fitzgerald (convenor of tho St. Margaret's Residential Collego Committee) : "The college has entered upon its second year, and all the accommodation originally provided has been allocated to students in arts, education, medicine, and domestic science. Bv utilising the largo hall as a dining room provision has boen made for other three students, who would now have been in residence, but two of thorn could not find a place in the Training College, and the third, belonging' to Canterbury and holding a national scholarship, was refused permission to attend Otago University. They resigned their places in St. Margaret's," but before tho University opens these places will probably be allocated to others. We cannot accommedate more than 15, or possibly 16, students, and tho committee must at once consider what should be done in preparation for next year. During the past year the studenW fees mot tho household exoenscs, including wages and matron's salary. It was the intention of the church to provide and furnish tho buildings, and rent was not taken into account in fixing the rate of fees. Towards enlargement, repairs, and furn.ishing tho committee has received £ll9. and finds itself with a deficit, of £SOO. Tradesmen's bills had to l>o met, and a few members of committee gave security to the bunk for a loan of £SOO, and the bills were paid. Members ot Synod will remember that our lease of the property contains a covenant to purchase on the 31st of March next for tho sum of £2OOO. Towards the purchase the committee has not as yet received either donations or promises of donations. The committee considers it only fair to the Church and to itself that this statement of tho financial position should be placed before the Synod. - ' After having read his report., Mr Fitzgerald said that he had to confess to a rather keen disappointment over the support that had been accorded to this scheme of the Church. lie did not wish to occupy the position of convener, but this position had teen pressed upon him with the assurance of support, ami he had taken the position temporarily. IJo waa afraid that his occupation of it was a mistake, as lie considered he was not sufficiently in touch with tho Church. He hoped that the elders would take the position into serious consideration. A few of them 'had token an interest in the institution, but instead of asking the congregations for contributions from the ordinary church revenue had gono to friends and asked for donations. The Clerk of tho Synod (the Rev. A. M. Finlayson) stated thai a committee had been appointed to obtain support for the college. Mr Fitzgerald : That committee has not l>een able to do it. and out of £SOO required only £ll9 has been raised by the means 1 have suggested The committee became pi rsonally responsible foi this £SOO. We must see to securing the freehold of tho college. Since it was purchased I am sure it has not fallen in value. The Kev. J. Chisholm said he knew very little about tho scheme, but he thought, ft a great pity that Mr Fitzgerald eaid tho labour to a certain extent in connection with it had boen in vain. Mr Fitzgerald bad done remarkable work for the college, and ho did not think there was any justification for his statement that his position as convener had alienated support from tho college. There was no man in Otago who commanded greater respect than did Mr

' Fitzgerald, who had taken such a keen interest in the work of education. He moved that tie hearty thanks of the Synod bo accorded Mr Fitzgerald for his report, and that the St. Margaret's College be commended to the help of the Church. Mr \V. Gow: It is all very well to offer sympathy to Mr Fitzgerald, but what is wanted is money. The question is: Are wo to leave a matter of this kind to sink or swim with its name without putting our I shoulder to the wheel to keep it afloat? The Rev. W. Scorgie sa.id the question of i making- a. grant to the college had been | raised in committee, and he believed that their solicitors were to be consulted on the subject. Ho asked if it were possible for I the Synod to make this grant? | The Clerk replied tha-t ho did not know j if the solicitors had been consulted, but i he thought a giant could bo made. | The Rev. Mr Scorgie said that an effort I had been made to raise £6OO, and in a I year's time they had only got. £ll9. This j was not a very creditable state of affairs. j About two-thirds of the £ll9 was contributed by three congregations. Ho thought the country congregations should take a greater interest in the college, as it was really of more value to those congro.gaj tions than it was to those in the cities. It was hardly fair to Mr Fitzgerald that j such little interest should bo taken in the : college. He had been, and was, a keen and ! enthusiastic worker, and in addition ho ! had put his hand in his pocket, for the | institution. It would be seen that, in j addition to the amount of work ho did, he also footed the bills. The Rev. Mr Chisholm's motion was carried. I.V MEMORIAM. The Rev. R. Porter moved, and the Rev. J. Kilpatrick seconded —" That the Synod pluees on record its sense of loss sustained in the death of the Rev. I). Borrie." Mr Borrie was for many years one of the most earnest and faithful ministers of the Church. His interest in the training of students and the church extension, as well as in all other departments of church work, was intense, and continued to the end. Wo give God thanks for his manifold . labours, und tender our deepest sympathy to Mrs Borrie and family in their great loss." The was carried. MATAUKA DISPUTE. The Mataura dispute, which was taken in committee, and subsequently referred to a Special Committee to deal with, was reported during tho afternoon as having been amicably settled. This dispute had no bearing whatever upon the moral tone of the church or any of its members, but was over a matter of Church law, and a ruling was sought from tho Synod. CHAPMAN-ALEXANDER MISSION. The following resolution, drawn up by the Rev. W. Gray Dixon relative to the above mission, was approved :-" The Synod of Otago and Southland desires to I place on record its profound thanks to the God of all graoe for the visit to Otago and Southland of tho Rev. DrJ. Wilbur Chapman, Mr Charles M. Alexander, and tho other members of their mission party. It r< cognises that God has drawn very near to the community in connection with the efforts of their honoured servants, that, unprecedented numbers have l>een assembling to hear the glorious Gospel, that tho methods of the missioners have been marked by us noteworthy wisdom as spiritual enthusiasm ; that the Holy Spirit has been working and continues to work nightly with ! regeneration and sanctification of souls, and j that, a spiritual atmosphere has been created which means in a wonderful degree now life j and hope for all the Church's activities. | It prays that the blessing of the Highest ] may continue and rest mightily and increasingly upon the labours of the mission party; that His presence may go with them in all their journeyings, and that grace may be given to our ministry, ofheo-boarers, ! and people to follow up effectually tho great work which they have been enabled to do among us, so that the present blessing, mighty as it is, may prove but the beginning of a revival of religion throughout our borders transcending all wo can ask or think." COMMITTEES. Committees were appointed as follows: — i Business: The Revs. R. Scott Allan, R. R. M. Sutherland, H. 11. Barton, and Mr ! W. Henderson; State of Religion: The Presbytery of Clutha, with tho Rev. J. .S. Ponder as convenor. APPRECIATION. Votes of thanks were accorded tho retiring Moderator (tho Rev. W. .Scorgie) for | his address; to the press representatives I for tho faithful manner in which they had | reported the proceedings of the Synod, and ! to the Moderator for having presided dur--1 ing tho sitting of tho Synod. ! This concluded the business.