Presbytery of Southland.

Southland Times, Issue 9390, 2 December 1886, Page 2

Presbytery of Southland.

Wednesday, Ist December. The Presbytery met in Ibe First Ohurcb, Present— The Ruvs. A. Mackuy (Moderator), and Mußerß Ferguson, MacKeazie, Cameron, Alexander, Slobo, Brown, Baiid, and Ewen (ministers), and Messrs R. Erskine, J. Culvert, and R. Danlop (el ders), A.Q upplioa.tioxi from too liev. T. Alosaader, of LnDg Bush and Oteramika, fora colleague aa i successor was read with relative minute from tbe session, and medical certificate. Mr Alexander appeared in snp* port of the application, and Meaßrij Ualvert aod Lnvßon (elders) appeared for tbo session, Mr Strang (deacon), and Mr Irvine (committeemaD) appeared for the Deacons' Court and the Bovoral district c^mtnitteea. These also supported the application. Mr Ferguson uaovod, seconded by Mr Stobo, that the Presbytery forward Mx Alexander's application to the Synod, with a hearty recommendation that the same be gianted ; alao recommend that Mr Alexander be granted the usual allowance from the Agod and Infirm Ministers' Fund. aH tha* tiyb c<jiig«t;gaui>a be ifbeoQiinemrecri^ make some suitablo allowance to Mr Alexander. A letter addressed to Dr Stuart, convenor of the Churco Extension Committee, by Mr J. D. Moore, manager of the Edendale sawmills, Oteramika, asking supply of religious services for the people employed there, was read, — The clerk wag requested to forward the letter to Mr Wood, Wyndham, iQteramika fiawmillg being in his parish. Mr Connor'd report f e mission work in • Stewart Island was laid on the table, and a resolution adopted approving of Mr Connor's methods and work, and expressing gratification at the success of his labours. Mr Carter reported favourably of the work at Orepuki and Pahi.— Full Baiiafaotion was expressed with Mr Carter's services. Messrs Siobo, MacKenzie and Ewen being appointed a committee to draw up a minute relative to the late Mr Wutson's decease, the following was given in and waa unanimously approved of by the Presbytery :—" The Presbytery desire to place on record their deep sense of the loss which the cause of Christ, and this Church in particular, has sustained by tbe death of Mr Thomas Watsoo. Mr Wateon haa been identified with the Presbjtsriaa Church in Southland from the early days of settlement there and has taken a prominent part in its affairs. Although more especially identified with the First Church of Invercargill, Mr Watson took a deep interest in tbe cause of Christ witbin the bounJa of the Presbytery ,and proved hiuise t a steady personal friend to the bretoren are member* of it. Tha Preabytery express iheir sympathy witb

Mrs Watson and the members of her family in their beieavemont, and direct a copy of this minute to be sont io them. < Mr Ferguson's motion re Preebyterial visitation, of which notice was given at last ordinary meeting, was brought up acd unanimously carried as follows :— " Inasmuch as it is exceedingly desirable that a systematic Visitation, of the congregations within the bounds should be established, it is hereby resolved to appoiot a coca- - mitte* to draw op a scheme of visitation and suitable queries ; - said committee to consist of Messrs Stobo, Maekay, Ewen and MacKeiizie (ministers), and Messrs Erskine i'aind Macdonald (elders) ;Mr Stobo to vbe con vencrVv ; MiiFergnaon'a overtures n Deacons' Courtis was transmitted to the Synod, 'Mr Ewen (o support if. s _•■■, ' ' The motion re Handbook on the Prao- * iice : '6l tb% Church was! also transmitted. f! 1^ reference to Mr MacKenzie's motion re seat of the Synod's meetings, an amendment was carried not to transmit the overtare. ■■*.'■' Mr Wood not being present, the question of Bible-reading in Schools was adjourned to next ordinary meeting 1 . movod, seconded by Mr Fer* vguson, that in answer to the remit of Synod re voting, $be Pre6bytery recom> mend that where there are amendments on ■ any question the motion finally adopted be put— sTea . or Nay. — Agreed to. Mr Ferguson reported that the Session of the First Church had arranged to withdraw Mr Bethune from the Myross district and were desirous of relieving him from the charge of that district. Ho also re- , ported that Dr Stuart, as convener of the Church Extension Committee, had appointed the Rev. Isaao Jolly, M.A., to : Myross ,and such districts as may be thrown in with that district to form a full charge.— lt was resolved to appoint a '• committee consisting- of Messrs Ferguson, Alexander, and MacKenzie to arrange ttie * boundaries of the new district, and assist the probationer in charge ; and, f urtbor, to acquiesce in the appointment of Mr Jolly. The Preebytery then adjourned.