WAIKATO PRESBYTERY.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15358, 5 October 1923, Page 2

WAIKATO PRESBYTERY.

BUSINESS MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Presbytery was held at Hamilton on October 2nd, when the Rev. F. A. Thompson, Moderator, presided, 'and there were eight other ministers present, live elders, and three home missionaries. Rev. H. B. Gray being present was associated with the Presbytery. Inter alia, the following matters were considered. Mission Stations. In connection with Otorohanga Home Mission Station and the ministry of Mr J. McFarlane there, it was agrce<j| that in view of the very high staiidary of Mr McFarlane's work and his many years of successful services Presbytery' very heartily recommends that his ease receive the favourable consideration of the Home Mission Committee and the Assembly, that he may be ordained as a minister in full standing. A resolution of sympathy was passed with the congregation of Kihikihi Home Mission on the destruction of their church building by lire. The Presbytery was gratified to learn that with remarkable generosity donations towards the cost of a new structure had been forwarded from many quarters and by various denominations, and that already £350 had been received for that purpose. Presbytery decided to acknowledge the fine spirit of courtesy displayed by the vicar of Te Awamutu in immediately offering the use of the Anglican Church at Kihikihi for the use of the .Presbyterian congregation until a new sanctuary could be erected. In response to a very urgent request from the congregation it was decided that Mr W. Brabyn be recommended for re-appointment as missionary for another year.

Ngaruawahla Parish. Rev. R. Mackie reported on behalf of the commission appointed to visit Ngaruawahla. After very ifuill discussion, and the minister and representatives of the local congregation had been heard, it was agreed that the Ngaruawahia Parish be changed from a fully sanctioned charge to the status of a Home Mission station, and that the alteration take effect from November 30. Call From Walhl. A call was recorded from Waihi Parish in favour of Rev. H. B. Gray. The Moderator of Waihi, Rev. J. A. Ryburn, and Mr J. Slevin, commissioner from that parish, both spoke of the unanimity of the call, and of the very marked success of Mr Gray's ministry during the recent months during which he had supplied services at Waihi. The call was' sustained by the Presbytery, and accepted by Mr Gray, and the date of the induction fixed for August IG, when Rev. J. A. Ryburn will preside and induct, the Rev. A. M. Aspland preach, and Revs. R. Morgan and F. A. Thompson' addrses the minister and congregation respectively. Call From Tuakau. A call was also received from the Parish of Tuakau, which had been forwarded through the Presbytery of Auckland,- in favour of Rev. H. C. Stuart, of Matamata. Mr Tong appeared on behalf of the Matamata congregation, and referred to the high standard of Mr Stuart's ministry, and stated that there was very general regret at his prospective removal, though they felt that they could not place any obstacle in his way. In supporting the motion that the call be placed in Mr Stuart's hands, several members of the Presbytery expressed regret that he did not see his way clear to continue in his present sphere, upon which he had entered only two years ago. The call was sustained and accepted by Mr Stuart, and it was decided to declare the Parish of Matamata vacant from the date of his' induction at Tuakau, probably early in December. Rev. Morgan Richards was appointed interim moderator of Matamata.

General Assembly.

The Presbytery nominated Rev. J. Kilpatrick as Moderator of the General Assembly for 1924. The following final list of voting members of the Assembly was approved, viz., Revs'. Richards, Ryburn, Thompson, Morgan, Randerson, Stuart, Bishop and Gray. i

Evangelistic Committee.

Rev. R. Morgan as convenor of the Evangelistic Committee reported that a special mission had recently been conducted by Rev. F. A. Thompson at Matangi, and also more recently by Rev. M. Richards, at Rotorua, in each case with encouraging results. The missioners were thnaked for their services.

Rev. R. Mackie reported concerning the mission recently conducted by Mr W. J. Mains, at St. Andrew's Church. Much good had rseulted, and the attendance, which was good throughout, showed an increasing interest. Mr Mains' addresses were the means of blessing to many. The Presbytery resolved to send a letter to Mr Mains expressing appreciation of his services so freely given in the interests of the Church. Bible Classes.

The travelling secretary of the Y.M.B. Classes, Mr Victor French, being about to visit Waikato, it was left with the Youths' Committee to draw up a list of the classes which he might visit.