THE NEW MINISTER FOR THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WILLIS STREET.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2699, 27 June 1868, Page 6

THE NEW MINISTER FOR THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WILLIS STREET.

As the Rev. Mr Hall will shortly resign his charge of the Presbyterian Church, Willis street, the following report from a Liverpool paper relative to the Rev. James Paterson, his successor will be found of interest. Mr Paterson sailed from Gravesend on April 18, in the Ballarat for Nelson, and will probably arrive here towards the end of July : — The Lancashire Presbytery of the English Presbyterian Church has met with the session and congregation of the Rev. James Paterson in Everton-valley Church, the Rev. J. R. Welsh, moderator. A very large number of the congregation were present, and seemed much interested in the object for which they had met, not a few being deeply affected during the proceedings. Rev. Sylvester M'Lelland. of Laygate, South Shields, being present, was associated.

The Clerk read the letter of Rev. James Paterson to the Presbytery (which we gave in our repsrfc of last meeting of that court) resigning his charge in the Everton-valley Church. He also read a letter from the convener of the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland, stating that Mr Paterson had been appointed to the pastoral charge of the Presbyterian congregation at Wellington, New Zealand.

The Moderator having called upon Mr James Paterson to state whether ho still adhered to his purpose as regards the resignation of his charge, Mr Paterson said, he was still of the same mind. After weighing all the elements of the case, he had come to the conclusion that in adopting the course he had done he was following the path of duty. It was painful for him in the highest degree to part with his people, but he hoped the change would be good both for him and the congregation. Mr Paterson then referred to the cordial manner in which they had cooperated together, the many tokens of encouragement which he had received, and the deep interest he would ever feel in their welfare.

Mr Chalmers, a member of the session, and Mr Parlane, a member of the congregation, next addressed the Presbytery, giving expression to the great regret with which they had learned of Mr Paterson's decision and the hopelessness of' any attempt to get him to change hiß mind. They said that the congregation had had full proof of Mr Paterson's worth. The more they had known, the more highly had they esteemed him ; and they were not alone, for on all hands those who knew Mr Paterson spoke of him in terms of the highest commendation.

Eev. E. H. Lundie, M.A , said they were met for the purpose of hearing from Mr Paterson for himself, and the session and congregation for themselves, what they had to say about the resignation of charge which had been laid on their table. They had heard all parties, and ifc was now plain that this was not a case in which they could stay the course of events. Had there been a shadow of doubt expressed by Mr Paterson as to what he regarded the path of duty, he (Mr Lundie) believed the Presbytery would have used all its influence to retain Mr Paterson amongst them; but Mr Paterson's mind was made up. The session and congregation had acquiesced with sore hearts, and there was but one course left ior them, and that was to loose Mr Patorson from his charge. The connection could not be severed without sorrow. He thought the session and congregation had done wisely in not asking the Presbytery to stay the removal of Mr Paterson, after so candid and so decided a statement of his views as he had given. He remembered the settlement of his brother Mr Paterson over an attached and much interested people in St Peter's Church, when the congregation was in great difficulties. They all knew with what earnestness and success he had labored until he had an overflowing congregation in that church ; and how, having cleared off the debt of the old church, they had swarmed off and built in Everton Valley that beautiful structure m which they were then met, which he wire now leaving. It wanted nothing but a little time and labor to be, with the blessing from on high, an abundantly successful charge. Mr Lundie then expressed his own great regret, and that of the other members of the presbytery, at having to part with one whom they all so highly esteemed and loved. They would look, he said, with great interest to Mr Paterson's future labors in New Zealand ; and he prayed that the blessing of the Highest might rest upon him. He was leaving kind and warm hearts behind him, and he hoped he would meet many kind and warm hearts where he was going. He moved that Mr Patorson be loosed from his charge in the following terms : — The Presbytery having regard to the large and important sphere of usefulness which Mr Paterson occupies, and having regard to the interests of the large, flourishing, and united congregation of which he is the pastor, have the utmost reluctance to accept the resignation of their much loved and esteemed brother ; but having regard to his strong desire to aid in building up and extending the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand, and having regard to his declaration that he is following the path of duty, as seen by him, in taking this step, accept his resignation of the pastoral charge of the Everton Valley congregation, and loose the pastoral tie between him and his much-attached people, commending him to the Great Head of the* Church, and praying that a blessing as abundant — and even more abuudant — may rest upon his labors in the new sphere as in this country. At the same time they desire to put on record their deep sense of the pain with which they part with one who has been so long connected with the Presbytery, who has throughout maintained such brotherly relations with all its members, and who has been so zealous and successful in his endeavors to promotfi the extension and prosperity of the Presbyterian Church in England. .Rev. J. C. Paterson said it was with the very greatest regret and reluctance that he rose to second the resolution proposed by Mr Lundie. Could he have seen the slightest ground to stand upon, he would have refused to acquiesce in this resolution. He would have appealed to the Synod against Mr Paterson's removal, had it not been that his own mind was so decided on the matter. He would have deemed it his duty to bring all the influence of his church to retain him amongst them, but his own statement finally disposed of the matter, as he (Mr J. C. Paterson) was certain that the church would not go in the face of so decided an expression of Mr James Paterson's desire to be relieved of his charge. He (Mr Paterson) then said that he agreed with all that Mr Lundie had. so well said. There had been few young men whose labors had been more blessed, or who oould

point to such results as the fruit of an eleven years' labors amongst; them. 'Whilst himself deeply regretting the necessity of parting with Mr Paterson, because of the ties of personal friendship which existed between them, and because of the loss which their church at large would. sustain, he could not sit down without expressing a word of sympathy for the congregation who was about to be bereft of a pastor whom they had listened to with profit and loved. He could only pray that the Lord would send them speedily such another laborer to build up that congregation and help them with, the great work of church extension in England, in which their friend and brother had taken such a promiment part. TheClerksaidhehad only toreiterate all that the previous speakers had said to Mr Paterson's worth as a member of Presbytery, and his value in extending the Presbyterian Church in England.

Mr Bell, the senior elder, in a few appropriate and touching words, then presented Mr Paterson, in the name of the congregation, with a silver epergne and a purse of money. The epergne, which was supplied by Messers Elkington & Co., i3 a very handsome one. It represents a palm-tree with, a group of Eastern figures at the base.

Rev Mr Paterson, in accepting the presentation, said he felt deeply the affection his people had ever displayed towards him. He felt this parting from them to be a bitter wrench. He was leaving, he might say, alland everything lie loved behjnd him— his circle of most attached personal friends — his congregation, amongst whom he had labored with great delight, and from whom he, had ever received the kindliest sympathy and confidence ; and his beautiful new church, every stone of which he felt as if he had laid himself. He had never doubted his people's love for him, and it was no dissension or variance amongst them that led him to leave them. His session and committee of managers had always acted with cordiality and harmony, and had nobly co-operated with him in all his work. He trusted the same feeling of union and unanimity would pervade them hereafter. Any jarring or disunion would break his heart, even at the ends of the earth.

Bey B. H. Lundie was appointed to preach the church vacant on Sabbath 29th inst., and, at the request of the session, Bey. D. Henderson was appointed to moderate in the session of the vacant charge.