Southland Presbytery

Southland Times, Issue 10912, 12 April 1907, Page 3

Southland Presbytery

MR LINDSAY’S CALL. A meeting of the Southland Presbytery was hold yesterday afternoon to deal with the call forwarded on behalf of the Maori Hill (Dunedin) Church to the Rev. George Lindsay, of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Invercargill. Tho Rov. Frank Dunlop presided, and la addition to ministers and edders, there wore present tho Rev. D. Dutton (representing the members of the Maori Hill Church and tho Dunedin Presbytery), Messrs G. Hnrdio and J. S. Baxter (representing the Session of St. Paul b), and Meters John Turnbull und P- J- Gilmour (representing St. Paul’s congregation). The clerk (Rov. J. Gumming) laid the call on the table anti explained the object of the meeting. Mr Dutton then rose to prosecute the call, and in an eloquent speech pictured tho present conditions and future prospects of Maori Hill. It was a now cbajfej) in one of tho most important and populous suburbs of Dunedin, Its people had high ideals, and the prospect* before them were of the, brightest. In tho Presbytery of Dunedin it was regarded ns one lot the most desirable churches in the district—a church that any man might feel honoured in. taking. As to Mr Lindsay’s fitness for it there was only one opinion! in Dunedin. The call was unanimous and from the people of Maori Hill Mr Ltnd!s;o- would receive the warmest and most I cordial welcome. In respect to tnu Dun■edin Presbytery ho could say that Mr 11 .iirlaay s welcome would bo not. less {warm. 1 In that Presfhytery Mr Lindsay was held in the highest esteem and the members felt that they would benefit |greatly from Mr Lindsay's entrance 1 among! them. He know what had happen)* ed in St. Paul’s congregation, and he felt that his position was somewhat 'awkward. The Rev. Mr Borne, who was to have accompanied him in the special behalf of the Maori Hill congregation, had not come "down because bo had received a telegram which rendered it unnecessary that, he should come. Had Mr Borrio been present ho could have advanced a strong claim on behalf of Mairi Hill, hut in view of what had taken place Mr Borne did not come down, and he (Mr Dutton) felt that his own position was somewhat peculiar. However, ho could only urge that the warmest welcome awaited Mr Lindsay both at Maori Hill and in the Dunedin Presbytery, nnd leave the matter in h,s hands.

On behalf of the Session of St. Paul’s Church Messrs Ilardie and Baxter explained that a resolution had been carried by tho officebearers expressing the highest esteem and atlcctlon for V*’ Lindsay, the highest appreciation of VdSiwork in St. Paul's - and the sincere and earnest hope that he would remain ns its pastor and minister. These gentlemen wore followed by Messrs Turnbull and Gilmour. on behalf of tho congregation. The speakers reported ns to the large and

enthusiastic congregational meeting which had boon held on Tuesday night, and the resolution carried thereat, and expressed again tho very strong desire of tho congregation that f Mr Lindsay should not accept this call. Air Liadsay tlion rose and said that Mr Hutton had dwelt upon the attractions which M'nori Hill hold out to a minister. It was a charge with possibilities before it and the ministers who entered upon it at the beginning of its career could accomplish much that a

minister coming in later could not accomplish. Tie had indeed been in considerable doubt in the matter, und at one time had almost decided to leave the decision in the hands of the Presbytery. The action of tho officebearers and congregation of St. Paul's had, however, caused him to take a different view of Mi- 1 mutter, ami lie had now no doubt us in' wlth-li wav his duly lay. Tie felt deeply grateful to the officebearers and congregation of St. Paid's for the note of contid'.T.re in him that had been struck nnd for the loyalty that bad been shown ti

him. and while ne could not but think that too Guttering an estimate oi his work in the past had been made, if St.

Paul's-desired him to remain and thought he could still do good w<»;k. he was prepared to accede. What had taken place had been a great encouragement to him.

and he could not adequately express his appreciation of the kindness oi bis officebearers and congregation.

Mr Lindsay then explained that he had ired to the Rev. Mr Borrie that it was :i necessary to come down, and At 1 Boi-

rig's absence was not in any way due t<* disregard for the interests of Maori Hill.

The Rev. J. Baird then moved : "That it is inexpedient to place the call in the hands of Mr Lindsay." Mr Baird said that in the case of many calls the Tresbvtery was in considerable .perplexity as u.* what course to pursue. In this case he thought there was no such feeling. What the Presbytery should do was plain. Mr Baird went on to refer to the high position. Which Mr Lindsay held as a member of the Presbytery and ns n worlpr in the district. As a member of St. Pauls Mr Baird also dwelt upon Mr Lindsay s work! there, and! made further reference to the sincerity and unanimity of the congregation in its desire that Mr Lindsaj should remain.

The motion was seconded by the Rev. Mr Cummins. who paid aw eloquent tribute to Mr Lindsay's continuous and sdf-sacrificing- work In the Presbytery, and declared that if the Dunedin Preshyterv had taken him away the Southland PTesfbytery would have lost the member it would most ha,vc desired to remain.

The motion was then carried unaui

mously an'd witli applause.. In a happy speech. Mr Dutton said that though the call had aided in failure he must acknowledge that only one course was open to the Presbytery. Personally he regreoted, and he could say that the Maori Hill Church and the Dunedin Presbytery would regret, that Sir Lindsay had not seen his way to accept the call. At the same time ho could only congratulate Mr Lindsay on the splendid assurance he had received of the loyalty C; his congregation. He would also like to congratulate St. Paul's and the Presbytery °f Southland on the fact that they were retaining a man of Mr Lindtuy’s stamp. (Applause.) Tho meeting then terminated. .