THE PRESBYTERY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5258, 14 May 1895, Page 2

THE PRESBYTERY.

THIS DAY.

An ordinary meeting of the Presbytery of Christchurch was held this morning; tedenint— The Rave W. Grant (moderator), Dr Elmelie, Gordon Webster, R. Erwin, W. Scorgie, J. Maxwell, P. R. Monro. W. J. Gow. P. J. Riddle, G. B. Inglis, W. B. Campbell, W. Skinner, J. Mackie, D. D. Rodger, A. H. Treadwell (clerk), and Messrs A. Ritchie, D. Bowie, J. G. Fyfe, D. Duncan, C. Young, W. F. Conway, J. Anderson and W. Carr (elden>) ; aleo, the Eava N. M'Oallum, W. Finlsyson, W. Koas, G. A. Stowell and Somerville.

BLDKBB* COMMfSSIOK.

Elders' cowmusions were received on behalf of Meßars W. luglia (Akaroa), D. B. Bowie (St Andrews), J. Forrester (Sydenham) and W. Nixon (Leesten). PAPANUI.

The Rev W. J. Gow presented the report ' of the commission appointed to visit Papanui. It btated that the station was under the spiritual oversight of the Rev R. Erwin, with two elders. There was a weekly afternoon service. About thirty families were within the bounds, and the strict average, attendance* at public worship wsb forty, there being few remaining outaido church connection. The Sabbath school was superintended by one of the elders. The Lord's supper was celebrated half-yearly, and there were twenty-eight communioanie, with an average attendance of twenty. Seat 3 were free, and the average Sabbath collection was 10s. The average annual income was about .£75, and the amount paid to the minister averaged a little over JBSO a year. There was no dtbt, and there was land available fora manee. The elders were faithful ia visiting the congregation. The. spiritual condition of the congregation left Eomethiog to be desired, but the minister kb teacning elder, ministered faithfully to his flock. Better results would be seen if the station were in a position to be re-instited as a settled charge. Mr Gow, in presenting the report, advocated the formation of a L*y Association for the purpose of assisting in coniucting services.

The report was adopted, with a vote of thanki to the Rev R. Erwin.

BAKAIA.

The Beva W. Skinner and G. B. Ingli*. with Mr A. Orr, elder, were appointed to visit Bakaia.

ssftok.

The Bey B. Erwin presented the report of the committee appointed to consider the subject of the inanae in connection with the proposed division of the Seftou district;. It was to the effect that Mace,

as far as could be ascertained, the con-

tributions actually paid by Ashley aud Loburn amounted to £90, the Com-

mittee considered that in csse of the Preßbytery determining to redistribute the district, a payment of JBBO by the portion retaining the property would bs an equitable settlement of their claim, but in case this proposal was not acceptable to all parties, the committee recommended that the matter be subjected

to arbitration, Seftoa to appoint one arbitrator, Ashley and Loburn one and the Proabytery one. la cisc cf the redistribution taking placa the committee antioipated that Amberley would undertake to contribute to the manse fund an amount at least equal to that lost by the severacca of Asble-y and Lobum. The Bey Gordon Webster read a letter from the Bey J. Patterson, of Wellington, conreDar of tho Church Extension Com. mittee, concurring in the propoeeddivieion o! the district;. Mtsara M'L^an, M'Gowan, Carmichael and Carr, delegates from the district", spoke against the division. The Bey Gordon Webster said that the matter was, primarily, the work of the Presbytery, which, however, was glad to have the co-operation of the people. He contended that the permanent interests of the district required the redistribution, and pointed out that the people of Amberley were unanimously in favour of it ; that many persons in other parts of the district were of the came opinion ; that the objection was largely s> matter of sentiment. He remarked that the pcopoeed cfc&ng< was in the direction of a eoucd territorial system, aud therefore in I the interests of the Church generally. The I caso would be a precedent to. guide them jin dealing with other districts. He i moved — " That the Presbytery, having before it a communication strongly urging a rearangement of the districts covered by the Bangiora, Sefton and Amberlpy congregations, aa neceßoary in the interests both of economy and efficiency, also a report of their own committee on the financial intereets involved in the new - manse at Sefton, aIBO the representation of parties from the districts interested, and having anxiously considered the whole subject with reference both to the epecial needs of the locality, and the general interests of the Church, reßolvea as follows :— (1) That the congregation at Amberley be united with the Sefton charge, and worked as part of it, along with Laithfield and Mount Grey Downs, the autonomy of each of the sections being preserved as at present. (2) That the Ashley end Loburn sections be disjoined from Sefton and united with the Bsngiora congregation, the<r Autonomy it; other respects being preserved as at present (3) That' acting elders in any of ~ •ialiong ibaU fea members ot the tneße - '-^tffcfciena to which they sessions of tbocon b ■ ■ MMOlm< »n a/ are attached. (4) That „-.* «00»men<iations- of the committee beadop*. "* embodying tbetermß of an equitable settlement of the rights and interests of parties in the new manse at Sefton. (5) That the

moderator and session of Sefton, and the

minister and session at Bangiora, be instructed to give effect to these resolutions without delay, and to regard the now arrangement as taking effect from the

first Sabbath in June. (6) That the Presbytery, in making this re-distribution, earnestly solicits the co-operation of all their faithful and loyal people in the districts interested, and exhorts them to wcrk harmoniously and heartily together, so that, by the blessing of God, two strong, efficient and prosperous congregations may be maintained in this important part of Canterbury." The Bey E. Erwin seconded the motion, and said that last Sabbath the Bey J. Orchard, of the Bible Christian Church, had held a service at Sefton. He (Mr Erwin) said that he must complain strongly of the manner in which this church acted by going into distticts where there was disaffection in order to establish congregations. He considered that such conduct should be held up to the execration of the Christian public, for instead of furthering Christ's work it was hindering it. He hoped that the expression of this sentiment would not be regarded as personal on his part, but that the Presbytery should give its opinion on the subject. (Applause.) j The Rev Dt Elmslie, as one of the oldest membera of Presbytery, exhorted all parties to sink their personal feelings and loyally accept the decision of the Presbytery. The motion was then carried, Sir Carr dissenting.

The Moderator urged all parties interested to heartily and loyally fall in with the decision just arrived at.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The following were appointed as the Sunday School Examination Committee : —The Revs A. M. Wright (convener), J. Mackie, W.. Soorgie, R. Erwin, W. R. Campbell, G. B. Inglis, W. Skinner, B. J. Westbrooke, J. B. Finlay and J. Maxwell. A petition was read from several members and adherents of the church residing at New Brighton, asking that the services begun there might not be discontinued, but that regular services should be held ia the district. It was signed by the representatives of twenty families, representing seventy-three persons, and suggested fchafc New Brighton should be united to Sumne* or Papanui is one charge if the residents at those places were agreeable. On tho. motion of/ the Rev W» Scorgie, seconded by the Kov J. Mackie, it waa decided that Now Brighton ehould be placed under the charge o£ the Rev Dr Elmslie as moderator.

The Rev D. D.Rodger formally resigned llie moderatorßhip of Waiau, on account of tho return o£ the Rev W. R. Campbell. It waa decided to recommend the Church

Extension Committee to make a grant of £10 to Springburn. This closed the business.