RAKAIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1872, 20 June 1888, Page 3

RAKAIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

I (from a cobbbbfondent.) This centre of a group of districts, which together form ono ministerial charge, was visited on Monday evoning by deputies from the Presbytey. The deputies were tho Rove A. Blake and VV. Finlayson, with Messrs J. McPhersim (Southbridgo), and A. Orr (Ashburton), and there were present to meet them the Rev Mr Wort, Moderator of Sas^ion, and other members of the in'erim Session. After conferring with the Sojrion and Committee of Management, and enquiring, on b half of tho Presbytery, into matters affecting the welfare of tho congregat'oo tha public mooting was held. This, though not large, was representative, there being deputies present from Laurnton, Pendarveß, and Doric „ The Rsv A. Blake presided, and opened the mesiing with devotional exercises He then called on his brother deputies, who addressed tho meeting m speeches which wore brief but fu'l of appropria'e matter. Thereafter Mr Bake vacated the chair and Mr West presided over the subsequent proceedings. Having detailed the steps which led to the present position, Mr West invited resolutions, when it was inovfd ojH unanimously agreed to, that a minister bo called, and that the name of the Rev P. J. Riddle, of Waiukti, be inserted m the form of call. The call was signed by the members and adherents present, nn<i left m the hands ot the Ocmmittee for further s'gnatures. The congregation have undertaken to pay a stipend of £200 (besides manse), with a proviso that the Btipend be made £250 as coon as oircurrstances permit. Besides this, a fund was started at the meeting to assist m bringing the minister they have called from the North Island, m case of bis acceptance of their call For this purpose £8 10s was contribu'ed on the spot. All this speaks well for the Presbyterians of Rakaia and. districts, and for the good results of the excellent work done among them during past years by Mr Stewart.