MATAURA PRESBYTERY

Southland Times, Issue 21001, 6 February 1930, Page 8

MATAURA PRESBYTERY

81-MONTHLY MEETING. At the bi-monthly meeting of the Mataura Presbytery held on Tuesday, Rev. F. M. Beattie (Moderator) presided over Revs. R. Mackie, A. W. Armstrong, W. H. Norton, J. E. Adams, D. D. McLachlan, J. B. Bickerstaff, M. A. Gow and W. Hain (minister emeritus), Messrs. M. J. McFadgen (home missionary), J. Peterson, J. Edgar, F. Diack, J. Shaw, G. D. Wilson. M. McLay, J. W. Byars, J. McPhail, A. Hall, W. Kerr and W. Clark (elders). Apologies were received from the Rev. J. J. Bates and Mr. R. Potts. The Rev. R. Mackie explained that an unexpected opportunity had been afforded the Rev. R. D. McEwan to visit Australia to see his relatives. Mr. McEwan would be absent till after Assembly and he had asked the speaker to apologise to Presbytery for his absence. On the motion of the Revs. Bickerstaff and Armstrong, it was agreed that the Rev. R. Mackie should be appointed clerk of Presbytery pro tern. The Rev. F. M. Beattie extended a welcome to Rev. J. E. Adams and expressed the hope that he had now fully recovered from his illness, Rev. Adams suitably replying. A fitting welcome was also extended to the Rev. W. Hain, who had been on a trip to Great Britain and Palestine. The Rev. J. J. Bates was appointed moderator for the ensuing term. The Rev. D. D. McLachlan was appointed Outlook correspondent. Applications for synod grants for maintenance and repairs to the Heriot church and to the Riversdale manse were approved for' forwarding to the proper authority. The following were appointed delegates to the General Assembly in March: The Revs. J. J. Bates, D. D. McLachlan, R. Mackie, A. W. Armstrong, W. H. Norton and F. M. Beattie, with the Revs. M. A. Gow and J. B. Bickerstaff to take the place of any minister who could not attend, and Messrs. W. Peterson, R. Potts, G. D. Wilson, J. Edgar, J. McPhail and M. J. McFadgen (elders) with Messrs. A. Hall and John Dunlop as emergency delegates. A committee set up at last meeting to go into the budget schemes of the church reported having met and it asked that the Presbytery forward and suport the following overture to the General Assembly: “Whereas the budget system of raising money for the church schemes has been in existence for 10 years and is steadily becoming more difficult to function properly: whereas many church courts fail to meet their quotas, and whereas there is a growing feeling against the compulsory element of the system, it is hereby overtured to the General Assembly convened to meet at Dunedin on March 5, 1930, that consideration be given to the question of altering the principle of the budget from that of a quota fixed by the committee or board, to that of asking church courts to state voluntarily the amount which they will contribute annually as is done under the envelope system of the congregational givings, or as in the wisdom of the Assembly it shall deem best.”

The Rev. R. Mackie and Mr. J. Edgar were elected to speak on the overture at the Assembly. Robert F. Smaill, Dunrobin, wrote acknowledging receipt of the Presbytery’s congratulations on the completion of 53 years as a Sabbath school teacher. The work was not. a service, it was a joy, and thanks were due to the Almighty for blessing him with good health to carry out the work. The Rev. F. M. Beattie reported that the Rev. S. Nixon was now much improved in health after a serious illness, and he hoped soon to get awaj - for a holiday.

The clerk was instructed on the motion of the Revs. J. E. Adams and M. A. Gow to express sincere sympathy with the Rev. Nixon in his illness, and also he was granted leave of absence till March 31, the Rev. Beattie to be interim-moderator of Pukerau. It was agreed that a letter of sympathy with the Rev. J. J. Bates in his indisposition be sent.

Mr. Kerr, on behalf of the Waikaia Church, said the congregation was now willing to raise £220 and also to provide a means of transport if the supply and appointments committee would appoint a minister to the charge. The Presbytery agreed to let its previous motion concerning Waikaia stand, and that in the meantime further information be gleaned from the congregation, and the position ascertained insofar as the various church Assembly committees were concerned. It was agreed to issue a presbyterial certificate to Mr. Norris Johnston Stevenson, of Riversdale, who intended taking up studies for the ministry. The Presbytery agreed to extend its congratulations to the Stevenson family on the fact that two sons had how given themselves to the ministry of the church, the opinion being expressed that it was indeed gratifying to find the young men answering the call of the church.

Several members spoke in eulogistic vein concerning the worth of the candidate for the ministry. The Rev. W. IT. Norton was appointed to take charge of the Assembly luncheon tickets, delegates desiring to purchase the same to communicate with him. He also took charge of the information slips concerning hospitality and accommodation. The Presbytery decided to nominate the Rev. Adam Begg, of Highfield, Timaru, as Moderator of the General Assembly. The Rev. D. D. McLachlan was elected to the Records Committee of the Assembly and the Rev. R. Mackie was elected to the Standing Committee. The Rev. W. 11. Norton reported that the Rev. G. H. Budd, home missions superintendent and moderator-elect of the General Assembly, would be visiting the Presbytery and that he hoped to visit all the home mission stations, and he hoped also to be at the next meeting of the Presbytery. The Rev. M. A. Gow was authorized to find a delegate to attend the Dominion Council of Sunday. School Teachers.