PRESBYTERY OF CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6186, 14 March 1888, Page 3

PRESBYTERY OF CHRISTCHURCH.

This Day. j An ordinary meeting of the Presbytery ' of Christchurch took place at Sb Paul's school this morning; sederunt — Revs J). i M'Lennan (Moderator), J. Hill (Clerk), | H. Adamson, J. Elmslie, K. M'Gregor, A. M. Beattie, W. West, P. B. Monro, J. W. Cree, E. Erwin,.H. Irwin, G. Webster, R. Tout. Messrs Ritchie, Johnston, Scott, and W. Thomson (elder?). .COMMISSIONS. The commissions of the following elders who had been appointed to represent their respective congregations on the Presbytery were received : — Mr W. Thomson, Prebbleton 5 Mr J. H. Macpherson, Southbridge ; Mr J. Forrester, Sydenham; Mr W. Johnston, Leeston. A letter was read from the officers of the Free Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, recommending to the Christian attention and kindness of the brethren the Ssv John Hope, who has come to New Zealand for the benefit of his health. The Eev Gordon Webster spoke in high terms of , praise of Mr Hope, and the Moderator, on behalf of the Presbytery, cordially welcomed him expressing a hope that he might soon recover his health sufficiently to be able to begin -wort under the Presbytery. • • ■ The Bey J. Hope thanked the Presbytery for their kindness, and stated that his health was improving, and that he hoped soon to be able to resume work. SBFTON. The Eev E. M'Gregor presented the report of the recent visitation of the Sef ton ' congregation. The report stated that the condition of the congregation both in spiritual and temporal affairs was very satisfactory. Due attention was paid to the Sunday-school and psalmody. Mr M'Gregor, in speaking to the report, expressed the very great pleasure he felt in seeing the good results of Mr Tout's work. He considered that much good work had been done, though there was still more to be done. The Eer J. Elmalie moved the adoption of the report, stating that the greatest credit was due Jto Mr Tout for the manner in which he had overcome the very great difficulties he had to encounter. He considered that no minister in the Presbytery was. more deservedly respected than Mr Tout for the very satisfactory manner in which, he did his wori. He thought that the contributions of the congregation might, however, have been larger than JE200, . seeing that there were five preaching places and seventy families in the district. The Rev P. E. Monro seconded the motion, and testified to the very great good resulting from Mr Tout's work. The Eev E. Erwin, as one of the visiting j deputation, expressed his gratification at the excellent work done in the Sef ton congregation. > The Eer J. Hill thought that the attention of the congregation should be calbd to the matter mentioned by Mr Elmota, and that some minister might exchange with Mr Tout, in order to read the report to the congregation. The Eev A. M. Beattie supported Ihe suggestion. . The report was adopted, and it vas agreed that the Rev R. McGregor should exchange pulpits with the KevE. Tout in order to read the report. EANGIORA. The Beva W. West, G. Webster, and Mr A. Scott were appointed a Committee to visit the Eangiora congregation. METHVEN-BANGITATA. i The Eev A. M. Beattie said that he had received a telegram from the Eev W. Finlayson, stating that he would accept I provisionally the call to the chatge %S\ Methven-Eangitata. The matter would have to come before Mr Finlayson'a i Presbytery, that of Clutha, next week; The matter was quite setfled bo far as Mr Finlayson and his present congregation, were concerned. The MethvenEangitata congregation would like to have the induction fixed for . March 30, He would suggest that arrangements should be made for the induction accord- j ingly, as there was no doubt as' to Mr Finlayson's intention to accept the call. , The Eev J. Hill said that there would be no objection to the course proposed by Mr Beattie. • , The Eev A. M. Beattie proposed that, subject to the necessary action being taken by the Clutha Presbytery, the induction should take place at Springburn on March 30. It was agreed that the induction should take place as suggested, the Eev A. M, Beattie to preside- and induct, the Eey G«

Webster to preach, the Rev A. Blake to add- eras the minister, and the Rsv J. E.mslie to address the people, en st. The Rev R. Tout reported that a congregational meeting had been held at Cust on the previous evening, when it was unanimously resolved that tne name of the Rev D. Rogers, of the Hutt, should be placed on the call. The people of Cust felt that Mr Rogers would be a most suitable man, and he (Mr Tout) thought the saire, and trusted the Presbytery would give effect to their wishes. Only those present at the meeting had had the opportunity, of signing the call, which bore the names of twenty members and twentythree adherents. If the document were given back to hiic, he would be able to get many more signatures. There were thirty -seven church members at Oust. Two gentlemen from Oxford had attended the meeting as a deputation, and stated that the Oxford people were unanimous in wishing to have Mr Rogers among them. There were twenty-two members at Oxford. No other candidate had been mentioned. On the motion of the Rev W. West, seconded by the Rev A. M. Beattie, the call was sustained. Sabbath schools. The R9V R. Erwin presented the following report of the Sabbath Schools Committee : — "The Sabbath School Committee have to report the following, scholars obtained prizes at the examination lately held by the Presbytery. The names are given in order of merit in each division: — Senior Catechism : Lizze Grogan and Nelly Bain. Upper Middle Catechism: Mary Bain, Chrißsie Dunning, Jane Alexander, Alice J. Cook and Mary Crockett. Lower Mid lie Catechism •. Duncan M'Gregor, Maggie Morrison and Annie Meharry (equal), Eliza Jane Ritchie, Katie Banks, Eveline Woodcock, Maggie R. Watson, Isa Wilkinson, Mina Irwin, J. Waddell and Henry Crockett. Junior Catechism : Elizabeth Tulloch, Lucy Tremayne, Bessie Steeds, F. Catchpole, Ada Raddon, M. Wilson, Annie Pugh, Blanch Lewis,' Christina Frame. Senior Scripture: Jano Craighead, Mary Robertson. Upper Middle Scripture : Mary Hyndman, Jane M'Rae, Alice J. Cook, Mary Bain, Annie Alexander, Chrissie Dunning and Lily Watt. Lower Middle Scripture : Mabel M. Mann, Duncan M'Gregor, Annie Meharry, Eliza Jane Ritchie, Joseph Barker, Eva Edwards, Eveline Woodcock, Annie Lewis, Mina Irwin, L. Campbell, W. Dyson, Maggie Morrison, Margaret Ferguson, J. Waddell, Annie Campbell, Lily Coombridge, Henry Crockett and John M'Hroy. Junior Scripture: Annie. Pngh, Elizabeth Tulloch, Martha Barr, William Sheriffs, Alice Edwards, Nelly Bowker, Annie Ritchie, Carrie Stokes, Hannah Stokes and William Toad." A discussion ensued on the report, during which attention was drawn to the fact that a very small proportion of the boys attending the schools could be induced to take part in the examination. The Rev J. Elmslie moved the adoption of the report. The Rev W. West seconded the motion, which was carried. The Rev H. Trwin laid before the Presbytery a number of suggestions with regard to future examinations, which were remitted to the Sabbath School Committee, to be appointed. The following were appointed as the Sabbath School Committee for the ensuing year : — The Revs R. Erwin (Convener), H. Irwin, P. R. Monro, H. Adamson, G. Webster, W. West, J. Elmslie, and R. M'Gregor. HARVEST THANKSGIVING. On the motion of the Rev A. M. Beattie, seconded by the Rev H. Irwin, the first Sunday in April was appointed aa a day of thanksgiving for the harvest. The Rev H. Irwin said that he regretted to say that he had heard of a deal of Sabbath desecration in connection with the harvest. He believed that even some Presbyterians had worked at gathering in their harvest on Sundays, especially vrhea. there was danger of a nor'-wester. He thought that the Presbytery should take some notice of the matter. The Revs W. West, H. Adamson, J. W. Cree, A. M. Beattie, and other ministers ! said 1 ' that, so far as their congregations were concerned, they were nob aware of any Presbyterians having worked in the harvest on the Sabbath. Messrs Beattie and Cree remarked that the subject was a difficult one, and it might be that circumstances might arise which would render work in the harvest field on the Sabbath a work of necessity or of mercy. EVANGELISTIC WORE. The Rev R. M'Gregor enquired whether the Committee on evangelistic work was in a position to make definite arrangements for taking up services in all congregations which requested them. The Moderator said that a communication had been received from the Assembly suggesting that each congregation should hold Conferences on the subject mentioned by Mr M'Gregor. Tho Key ft. Erwin requested to be relieved from the duties of Convener of the Evangelistic Work Committee, on the ground that he had so much work to do in connection with other matters that he could not find time to attend to them. ? The resignation was accepted, and the Rev H. Irwin •was appointed Convener of the Committee. WAIAU. The Rev J. Elmslie submitted plans of a charch proposed to be erected at Waiau. It would accommodate 120 people, and would cost iS32O. A sum of .£l5O was in hand, and the Rev Mr Campbell had no doubt that he would be able to raise more money immediately. Messrs D. Rutherford and M'Farlane had consented to aot as a Building Committee. The plans were approved. This concluded the business.