PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Otago Witness, Issue 3342, 3 April 1918, Page 22

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SYNOD OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND. The annual proceedings of the Synod of Otago and Southland commenced with a communion service in First Church on the 26th. The service was most impressively conducted by the retiring Moderator (the Rev. A. Gray, of Ravcnsbournc). After tho sacrament had boon dispensed, several items of business were transacted. On the motion of the retiring Moderator, tho Rev. \V. Gray Dixon was elected Moderator of Synod. A vote of thanks was accorded the retiring Moderator for his sermon and for his services to the church as Moderator. The roll of members entitled to attend Synod is as follows: Presbytery of Dunedin.—Ministers: Revs. Professor Watt, D.D., A. Greig, M.A., A. M. Finlayson, R. R. M. Sutherland, R. Waddell. D.D., A. Cameron, 8.A., D. Dutton,' F.A.S., Professor Hewitson, 8.A., W. Scorgie, R. Fairmaid, J. J. Cairney, A. W. Kinrnont, M.A., J. Kilpatrick, E. A. Axelsen, J. Lymburn, R, E. Davies, M.A., A. Whyte, M.A., 8.D., Professor Dickie, M.A., W. Gray Dixon, M.A., G. H. Balfour, M.A., 8.D., R; Scott Allan, H. H. Barton, M.A., Andrew Gray, G. M'Donakl, J. Miller, F.R.G.S., Alex. Don, A. M. Dalrymple, M.A., J. TJ. Spence, E. Adams, W. Trotter, J. C. Jamieson, D. Oakler, 8.A., R. M'Oully, 8.A., J. J. Bates, R. E. Evans, W'. F. Evans, I. K. MTntyre. Elders: Messrs H. Duckworth, J. R. Prentice, R, Blair, W. Gow, W. Henderson. W M'Hattie, W. H. Adams, P. L. Clark, Andrew Tweed, John Robertson, J. E. Hunter, James Dick, R. J. Sparks, R. Duncan, Thos J. Gawn, Andrew Davidson, John Sutherland, R. Miller, M. W. Johnson, John Arthur, C: E. Naldcr, John Tait, J. C. Wilson. Presbytery of Clutha.—-Ministers: Revs. S. W. Currie, M.A., R..M. G. M'£>owell, P. C. Durward,-M.A., A. -Morton, J. C. Loan,. D. S. Mason, J. - D.-Webster, J. S. Ponder, H; Williams'. G. H.. M'Neur, A. L. Miller, M.A. Elders: Messrs J. Reid, W. T. Brabyn, J. Fleming, T ! Taylor, J. Smaill, J. Edie, T. Gage, J. Rose, G. Moffat. J. Ayson. Presbytery of Southland. —Ministers • Revs. J. Baird, A. Macdonald, M.A., C. A. Gray, M.A., W. F. Findlay, A. K. Ross, 0. Michelsen, R. M. Ryburn, M.A... J. A. Ryburn, H. W. Burridge, M.A., 8.D., J. Chisholm, J. S. Young, F. J. Tylee, J. Collie, M.A., D. K. Fisher, E. Bissett, R. Morgan, T. Bandy, M. Maclean, M.A., M.Sc, 8.D., J H. Robertson, M.A., W. Roger Hume, R. C. Hunter, M.A., Archd M'Neur. Elders: Messrs John Henderson, W. H. Ward, T. Walker, —. Sadlier. Presbytery of Oamaru. —Ministers: Revs. P. S Hay,' M.A., W. Wright, W. Nichol, P. C.' Ronnie, A. gangster, M.A., 8.D., J. Davie, G. W. Hunt, J. L. Robinson, 8.A., S. F. Hunter, M.A., 8.D.. A. G. Irvine M.A., A. Watson, H. T. Blair John Craig, R. I-I. Blair, F. R. Blue. Elders: Messrs W. W. Beswick, D. Walker, T. S. Little. Alex. Elder. Presbytery of Dunstan.—Ministers: Revs. J. M'Cosh-Smith, M.A., 8.D., J. C. Gellie, 8.A., A. V. G. Chandler, J. Standring, W P. Rankin, M.A., G. D. Falconer, J. T. Gunn, T. G. Butler. Elders: Messrs M. M'Lean, R. Symes, Forrester, .W. F. Wise. ' .■

Presbytery of Mataura Ministers : Revs. G. W." T. Hercus, R. A. Chisholm, J. Pdngle, M.A., J. M. Simpson,- 8.A., T. Paulin, W. W. Brown. D. M'Coll, S. E. Hill, W. Hain, Alex. Gow, J. I. Clarke, W. V. Milne. Elders: W. J. Lennon, J. Lowden, Wa J. Black, A. Anderson. SECOND DAY—MARCH 27. The sessions were concluded in the First Church Hall on the 27th inst. The Moderator (the Rev. W. Gray Dixon) opened the proceedings with devotional exercises. ELECTION OF MODEHATOR. The Rev. Professor Hewitson was unanimcaisly elected as Moderator of Synod for 1919. THE JUBILEE FUND. The Rev. J. Kilpatrick presented the report of the Church Extension Committee, which recorded that, in reference to the Jubilee Fund, everything had been arranged in a satisfactory way. The Synod's interpretation of the agreement was accepted by the Church Property Trustees, and confirmed by last meeting of the General Assembly. It would be, Mr Kilpatrick said, a matter of satisfaction that this matter had now been finally closed in a satisfactory way. The Church Property Trustees had agreed to report the income from the Jubilee Fund to the Synod's Church Extension Committee ■ and take _ direction from that committee as to the disposal of the income, thus acknowledging the Synod's ownership of the fund. The following were re-appointed as a Church Extension Committee— Revs. J. Kilpatrick (convener), R. E. Davies, G. H. Balfour. A. Cameron, Messrs P. L. Clark, and W.*Gow. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Kilpatrick for his long-continued services in the matter. ~ SYNOD EXPENSES. The report on Synod expenses was presented by the clerk of Synod (the Rev. A. M. Finlayson). This showed a total income of £67 odd, expenses amount to £SB, and a balance of £9 in hand—The report was adopted FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee's report was presented by the Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland. The applications, he said, were almost entirely for grants for church repairs. They were dealt with as follows: Dutiedin Presbytery—Applications for renewals of grants for church repairs were granted to Ravensbourno, St. Leonards, Waitati, Porjsobello, St. Clair, and Allanton, and a new application from Mosgiel for church repairs was also granted. I he Church Board of Property was given leave to soil 10 acres of land at Merton. Mataura Presbytery.—The application for a grant for church repairs at Pukerau was agreed to. . Oamaru Presbytery.—Grants for church repairs at Herbert, Kakanui, Enfield, Palmerstqn, and Dunback, and for manse enlargement at Kurow, were approved. ' Dunstan Presbytery.—The application from Waipiata for a grant of £347 14s for a new manso was approved to the extent allowed by the regulations, and approval was given to' the buying of a building instead of erecting a new one. Southland Presbytery.—The Synod approved of the sale of the old manso and

eight acres of land at Winton, and gave a grant for a new manse. Applications for church repairs at Lumsden, Pino Bush, and Fern Hills were approved. The Board of Property was granted leave to sell sections at Edendale. An interim act was passed directing the Board of Property to pay to Chalmers Church out of tho manse reserve fund a sum of £SO as a special grant for church repairs. Several references were- made to the splendid liberality of this congregation. Similar approval was given to the application from St. Stephen's Church for a grant of £220 to assist it in heavy expenditure necessary for tho improvement of the church building. Mr Sutherland outlined the need for a church at Seacliff, and submitted the plan for a brick building to feat 160 people. This was estimated to' cost £I2OO. The local people had -undertaken to raise £4OO, and the «sual grant would accompany this, but the Seacliff-Warrington congregation asked for a special grant of £SOO from the Synod in order to enable tho building to be opened free of debt.—The recommendation for this special grant was approved. The Synod considered an Interim Act requiring the Church Board of Property to pay to the Maori Hill congregation, out of the ecclesiastical fund, a special grant for the purpose of enabling it to procure a new site for a church. The grant is to be subject to approval by the Presbytery of the site chosen, and shall not exceed £250 nor exceed half the amount of the purchase money.—The .Interim Act was finally adopted. . Mr Sutherland reported that the ecclesiastical funds had paid £B9B 4s 4d in land tax during the year. The manse reserve fund and the ecclesiastical fund were both in a healthy condition, and the credit balance had been substantially increased during the year. TRESBTTERT RECORDS. The Rev. P. C. Durward reported on behalf of the Committee on Presbytery Records. The Dunstan Presbytery had sent forward no records, and for this an apology was forwarded. Mataura had not produced records either this year or in the previous yea*, nor had any explanation been sent. Favourable comment was made on the records of other presbyteries.—The report was adopted. ' i s TIIEOLOGICAJ. COLLEGE COMMITTEE. The Rev. H. H. Barton presented the report of the Theological College Committee. The report stated that there were at present 21 students attending the classes in the Theological Hall, of whom seven were in the first, six in the second, and eight in the third year. Three were Baptist students. The total number of names on the roll of honour of the Theological Hall was now 48, of whom seven had, fallen. Two returned students had returned to their studies, but other three now in,New Zealand were not yet in a fit state of health to do so. In view of_ the great, and in.creasing dearth of ministers the committee called upon the Church to give serious and practical consideration to the matter, and in particular to pray the Lord of the Harvest that He would send fo'rth labourers into His Harvest. —The report was adopted, and the following were appointed ' the committee for the ensuing year:—Revs. A. Cameron, A. W. Kinmont, R. R. M. Sutherland, J. J. Cairney, R. E. Davies, A. Whyte, W. G.. Dixon, Q H. Balfour, H. H. Barton, W. Trotter. J. Kilpatrick, R. E. Evans. Professor T. D. Adams, Messrs W. S. Fitzgerald, W._ Gow, and Dr F. W. Dunlop. In moving the adoption of the report, Mr Barton dwelt on the immense significance of the work of training men for the ministry. The motion was seconded by the Rev. G. H. Balfour, who also said that one of the most important pieces of work that the church had on hand was the training of its theological - students. FUNDS AND REGULATIONS. The Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland reported on behalf of the Committee on Funds and JAegulations. He explained that there had been a feeling that the church should not continue to accumulate funds while the needs of the individual congregations were so urgent. A committee had therefore been appointed to_ revise the regulations governing the distribution_ of church funds with a view to liberalising the grants authorised. The committee agreed that tho liberalising should be mainly in the direction of encouraging congregations to build not- in wood but in brick, stone, or concrete. It was agreed to discontinue the distinction between the ecclesiastical fund and the manse reserve fund. The maximum grant for the erection of manses in wood was increased from £3OO to £350 on a pound for pound basis. In the case of manses in stone, brick, or concrete the maximum grant was increased from £4OO to £SOO, and the subsidy from £1 to £1 5s on the £1 The quinquennial grant for manse repairs was doubled by raising it from £1 to £2 for every £1 contributed by the congregation. Grants for the removal of manses were increased from a £1 for £1 basis to £1 53 on the £1 basis. Similar proportional increases were made throughout the regulations. A committee consisting of the Revs. R. R. M. Sutherland (convener), J. Kilpatrick, A. M. Finlayson, W. Trotter, and Mr W. Gow was set up to put the amendments into correct legal form and submit them to sessions and presbyteries. JOHN M'GLASHAN COLLEGE. Tho Rev. G. H. Balfour introduced to the Moderator and to tho Synod Mr A. G. Butchers, M.A.. master of the John M'Glashan College. Mr Balfour said it was recognised that the Presbyterian Church was undertaking a really great and good work in founding these colleges for boys and girls. They had ideals as to a thorough and broad education on definite Christian principles, and they believed they would be able to turn out men and women who would have influential positions in 'the community, and who would carry with them the Christian atmosphere and the atmosphere of the Church. Ho trusted that all who possibly could would support the Church in this effort in the various ways open to them. The John M'Gla.shan College had grown' considerably since it opened, and thev had 32 15bys there now. Mr Butchers said that _ tho college bad been greatly blessed in its opening, and the boarding- accommodation was already overtaxed. He had suggested to the ;board that it should be ready at the beginning of next year to provide for 50 boarders_ and for a proportionate number of day boys. They had boon most fortunate in the mistress they had secured, and in securing the services of Mr T. B. ' Hamilton, of the Otago University staff, as science master. It was most satisfactory, too, 'that Miss Mollison, formerly matron of Knox College, had igreed to organise their boarding de.partrcent. The colours of the school had been chosen ae dark blue, red, and gold. The badge was the shield and crest" of the

late Mr John M'Glashan, and 'the motto was "Lex Domini lux mundi" ("The . law cf the Lord is the light of the world "). Every boy in the college would be c arefully taught the meaning of this motto, for they wanted them all to go forth- as "labourers into the harvest," lay as well as clerical. They had two rivals in their educational aims and ideals—the Roman Catholics and the secularists. The Rornan Catholics in Australia had been budding schools ever since the war started, and just before he came here he had gone over their Newman College, which had been built at a cost of £66,000. Ho trusted the Presbyterians of Otago would not be behindhand in realising the immense significance ef the education of their young people and supporting 'this school in every possible way Their aim would be to turn out hoys who would direct the life of the dominion along the paths of righteousness On the,motion of the Rev. T. B. Butler, Mr Butchers was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for his address. CHAPLAINS'. DEPAHTIIENT. The report of the Chaplains' Department (Otago district) was presented by the acting... convener of the committee (the Rev. A. Gray). The committee noted with pleasure that eacn year marked a distinct advance and ever-increasing usefulness. It would not be too much to eay that the Chaplains' Department was now a necessary integral part of the defence system. Details were given of the arrangements made at the cadet training camps held at Tahuna Park ■ last year, and also, for camps for officers and non-commissioned officers. There were 23 Territorial, camps being held this season,and Presbyterian chaplains iad been appointed for each of these, with the exception of three, where Methodist chaplains had been appointed. The report further traversed the work of the Soldiers' Institute in camps and the work done by the Chaplains' Department for departing troops and for returned men. The men on Quarantine Island were visited every week, and services, which were much appreciated by the men, were Ten ministers from the district were serving as chaplains with the". Expeditionary Forces. The Rev. D. Dutton, after nearly three years' service, received his discharge, and had returned to his pastoral duties. The convener moved the fol-! lowing deliverance: —"Adopt the report; give praise to God for the opportunity of service thus presented; thank the chaplains for their diligence, and again commend -the " work to the prayers and support of the Church." Mr Gray explained what 'the Chaplains' Committee was endeavouring to do for the returned men, and bespoke .thehearty co-operation of the ministers. It was often supposed that 'the only thing to do for a returned man was to find, him occupation, but that was not the first or the,,, final thing. There were others -who were out to capture these men for ill if the Church did not capture them for good. The Rev. D. Dutton seconded the motion, and paid a high tribute to the work of the Chaplains'. Department of the Synod. The motion was carried. The Synod expressed its thanks to the O.C. District (Colonel J. Cowie Nichols), the District Headquarters Staff,. and other officers for their unfailing courtesy and assistance, and to Lieutenant-colonel G. W. C. Macdonald for his services as', auditor.