The Presbytery of Southland.

Southland Times, Issue 15016, 9 August 1901, Page 2

The Presbytery of Southland.

. — + The Presbytery met in the hall of the First Church, on Tuesday, At 11 a,™., Messrs Jiis. Lyinbura, J. T. Burrows, Geo. McDonald A. Mac Donald, Robert MeCully, Geo Y. Roby, Jas. Cummiug, E. Bisselt, .Its. Johnsion, Geo. Lindsay, and W. W hi U (ministers) and Messrs J. MeWilliam md VV. J. Fraser (elders) beinj; present. Mr McDowell (elder) from Arrowtown wa* associated. In the absence of Rev, C. A. Gray, the Rev. Jas. Lymburn wan appointed Moderator pro tern. An apobgy for absence, through illness, was received f Dm Rev. J. G. Smith. The following minute was adopted relative to the ns gnation of the Rev. Jas. Baird, of Winton : "Tho Presbytery desires to express its sympathy with Mr Baird in hi a impaired Health, which has necessitated his resignation of ' he Winton and Centre Bush i.'ongreg it ion 3, and t© place on record its appreciation of the work he has been enabled to accomplish luring the 22 years he labounxl in that, at first, very extensive and wide spher« of service ; also, of th*e steadfastnets, diligence, and faithfulness with which lie sought io carry out the many duties of pastor. The Pro* by tery rejoices that he was permit.l c 1 to share m the reaping time whijh naa clmacterised the closing years of Ida ministry, and preys that he may be long spared to enoy a quiet resting time, kid hopes Dtiat for many a day they may hive his continued counsel and help in the wtrk of the E* •esbyiery." Plan 3 and specifications fora manse at Orepnki were approved of and the use of insfru- ' mental musi ; in the service of praise at ' Fernhills was sanctioned. * The following circular was laid on the 1 table relative to the building of a church at ' Cola* —"Tie Presbytery of Southland, ' having the iact brought under its notice > that the district of Coiac Bay is greatly in ne<td of i church building, whilst i;he settlers then; are as yet unable to rtise more i ban a portion of the sum uecessarf for such a purpose, has resolved to appeal to the Pi«sbyterian congregations throughout .South tana to make a united effort to help this ttmggiing community to erectasoitable church. The estimated cost of the - buildi n.£ ia £200, and of this amount the f Presbytery desires to raise £60. As Uiere , are 17 congregations in the Presbytery, the .. average donation from each would require r to be between £3 and £4. Since, howerer, it may be ibssumed that several of these 3 congregations will not be able to give bo i much, it is hoped that the better usUbliihsd ' charge* will endeavour to give more. The ; Presty tery <ioee not seek to specify ia nbat , partial dor iranner the contribution of inch > congregation shall be given but would paint f out taut an}- subscription enclosed in an en- . velope marked " Colac Bay Church " and I dropj>ed in.o the plate, amongst the ordi- , nary collections, will be sure to find its way , through the local office- sharers to the , Presbytery clerk, Rev. W. White, M.A., Wallicetown, who acts as treasurer foi the . fund. Cont ributions must be sent in not later than 30th September." The Presbytery sanctioned the purchase . of sections 19, 20, 21, and 22, blocJ: 18, , Shotover diutriot, with house erected thereon for manse and glebe, and requested the , Chuich Extension Committee to sanction i the purchase of same. , The Presbytery proceeded to consider the , appointment of representatives to the '.Pink t Gen«ir 3.1 Assembly of the United Chorch. The I nam<» of the vanoußcharge* werearnuuedin > alphibetiMlorderand the ministers Tof the , first nine charges appointed, viz., Muff, Dipt oa, Forest Hill, First Church, liiverI cargill, &s Paul's, Limestone Plains, ' Orepuki, (> autau, and Oteramika, ami the ; sessions ol the following charges were select ?d to send an elder each :—Aitowtown, Queenstown, Riverton, Tarings tura, ToiTois, Waikiwi, Wallecetown, Wioton, Wotxilaudf. Tlif Key Jaa. Cuinraing, convener cf the committee appointed to consider the Aged and I ifirm Miaieters Fund regulations care their report. After discussion the fcflowing rsgulauona were agreed to:— (1) That the .-onimii tee consist of six mioistert and six elders, one third of same to retire annm. lly ; (2) the subscription of each minister tc th«i fund to be £4 annually ; (3) that minittern entering the services of the c) lurch be not admitted to the fund over the ?ge of 50 years ; (4) that the revenue of the hind shall be interest, subscriptions and congregational collections. Tho entry money of ministers and nil donations, legacies, lnless othorwise designated, shall be added to the cap til. iVfter paying ourreut charges all annuil balances from revenue shall be ftdded to the capital- If in any yenr the revenue be insutticiefll to meet the dahns upen them, the amount available aliall be divided /» o ni/u among the annuitanbi; (5) an) minister joining the ministry of the Northern Church shall be entitled to retain his interest in the fund na paying an annual contribution of £8. (6u(td7)<u at present; (8) the amount of anni ity shall bu £50, with £1 for each year of B?rvic<, the maximam to be £f<o; (9) when a minister's strength may beimiiaired, bui not bo much as to require bis retirement Imw active duties of the ministry fche Synod may gran r , him half the amount of arnuity. If in y benelStiary be sufficiently restored to enatle hii a to undertake employment for re* mvj) oration, he shall receive only such aid frcm the fund as the committee may determine. Tiie Presbytery disapproved of thencheme of (lie 8y lod a Committee to assess the various ;ongr.iga:ions of the church, aid ad» jour ned till b'rst Tuesday of October.