AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 315, 12 January 1871, Page 2

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

Tue usual quarterly meeting of the Auckland Presbytery commemed yesterday morning at eleven o'clock. Present Rev. Mr. Mackie (Moderator), Rev. J. Browne, Rev. Jas. Hill, Rev. Mr. Norrie, Rev. Mr. Cosh, Rev. Mr. McNicol (Secretary), Mr. Walter Graham.

The proceedings were opened by the Moderator reading the CXI. psalm, and afterwards engaging in prayer. The Secretary read the minutes of the preceding ordinary meeting, which were confirmed.

The Moderator announced that he had, in consequence of instructions from last meeting, written to the Directors of the Irish Presbytery respecting the £50 grant for home mission purposes. The Moderator brought up the report of the committee appointed to enquire and report upon the application of Mr. Reed to be received into the Presbytery and appointed a minister.

Rev. Jas. Hill moved that the application of Mr. Reed to be restored to the ministry be accepted. From all that he had heard he was sure Mr. Reed would prove a valuable addition to the ministry, which was sadly in want of labourers.

Rev. Mr. Noheie seconded "the motion proposed by Mr. Hill, and, on being put to the Court, it was carried.

The Moderator officially announced the decision of the Presbytery to Mr. Reed, aud trusted it would be to the glory of God and to his own good.

Mr. Reed was congratulated by the other members of the Court, and took his seat as one of the Presbytery.

Rev. Mr. Browne moved, and Mr. Norrie seconded, and it was carried, that the Rev. Mr. McNicol be appointed secretary to the Presbytery. The Rev. Mr. Norrie gave an ontliae of the proceedings of the late general sitting of the Presbytery held at Napier. The Presbytery, on the motion of the Rev. Mr. Browne, thanked Rev. Mr. Norrie for his conduct in the Assembly.

The Moderator laid before the Assembly a statement from the Rev. Mr. Souter as to his reasons for joining the Church of England. It was announced to the Presbytery that all the collections in aid of the schooner Dayspring should be at once paid into the treasury.

A letter from Mr. Eccles was read, making application for the balance of the grant alleged to be due to him up to the time of his resignation.

Rev. Mr. Hill would object to the salary being givon to Mr. Eccles, unless the property were handed over first to the Presbytery. Mr. Eccles was holding possession of the church there, and apparently would do so until he got paid. He would move that the matter should lie over until the committee had got possession of the building and handed in a report that the Ramarama church had been so given over. —Motion put and agreed to.

Rev. Mr. Norrie called the attention of the Presbytery to the Education Bill now before the Council, and pointed out that he thought it advisable that the question of religious instruction should be left to the local committees, and that a conscience clause should be inserted. The Presbytery had on a previous occasion recommended such a course. He would like the Presbytery to express an opinion. After a few remarks the subject was held over for the present.

The Moderator informed the Presbytery that a minister of the Wesleyan Church had applied to him to be admitted into the Presbytery, having left the Wesleyan Church in consequence of there being too much ecclesiastical authority. It was agreed that the application should be received.

The Presbytery adjourned uutil ten o'clock this morning, when the candidates for the ministry will be examined.