CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 3

CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

The Presbytery of Clutha met at Baiclutha on Friday of last week, when there were present—the Rev. Mr Cuttle (Moderator). Messrs Currie, Miller, Ponder, Williams, Watson, Durward, and Morton (ministers), and Messrs Lamond, James Clark, Fleming, John Clarke, William Clark, Edie, William Smaill, Rose, and Leslie (elders), and Mr Milne (home missionary). The Rev. P. B. Fraser (superintendent of home missions) was present. In an interesting and telling speech he referred to his work up and down throughout tho dominion, and of the great need for men and money.—lt was agreed, on the motion of Mr Morton, seconded by Mr Edie, to thank Mr Fraser for his very able and telling address. The sermons submitted by the, home missionaries within the bounds were referred to the Presbytery, when it was agreed, on the motion of Mr Currie, seconded by Mr Edie, that a committee consisting of the ministers appointed to examine the sermons consider them in committee, report generally to the Presbytery, and forward to the different home missionaries a detailed criticism.

It was agreed on the motion of Mr Durward, seconded by Mr Watson, that in all future ordinations and inductions within the bounds of the Presbytery the questions suggested by the Assembly be put to the congregation Mr Ponder gave notice of the following motion for the next meeting of the Presbytery ;—“ That in view of the needs of the home mission and church extension work of our church, brought out by the Rev. P. B. Fraser’s address to-day, this Presbytery again submits to the General Assembly the overture it sent up in 1907, in re the employment of licentiates and ministers received into our church, being placed at the disposal of the Home Mission Committee for a period of one or two years for the most promising of the church extension charges.” Mr Ponder, by appointment cf the Presbytery, introduced the Assembly re mit in re the home mission course, whea, after considerable discussion in committee, it was agreed on the motion of the Rev. Mr Miller, seconded by Mr John Clarke, to approve, with certain minor alterations, of the suggested scheme. Mr Currie, by appointment of the Presbytery. submitted the Assembly’s remit with regard to the beneficiary funds, when it was agreed to disapprove of the suggested amalgamation of the Aged and Infirm Ministers' and the Widows’ and Orphans’ Funds, and to suggest several alterations in the former

Mr Williams, by appointment of the Presbytery, submitted the suggested forms for a baptismal certificate, when it was agreed to recommend the form suggested by Rev. P. B. Fraser, and sent down as an alternative by the Assembly. Mr Edie submitted a map of certain sections of land as suitable for a glebe for the Beaumont Home Mission Station, and at present under offer, when it was agreed to ask tho Church Board of Property, Otago, to purchase the same for a manse glebe. It was agreed to appoint Mr Watson and one of the elders to represent the Presbytery, along with the Moderator (Mr Williams) at the induction services and social in connection with the appointment of Mr John Cawley to the Clydevale Home Mission Station.

It was agreed on the motion of Mr Durward, seconded bv Mr Ponder, to hold a Presbyterian rally in the different congregations within tho bounds on the last Sabbath of October, details of the rally to be arranged at, the next meeting of the Presbytery. It was agreed to discuss at the next meeting the Assembly remit in re the transference of ministers, and to arrange for a conference with the Mataura Presbytery on Tuesday, September 30. The next meeting was fixed for Milton on Wednesday, September 24.