AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1680, 7 July 1875, Page 3

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

The quarterly meeting of the Auckland Preßbytery waa held to-day in St. Andrew's Church. Present: The Moderator, Rev. D. Bruce, MacKicol, Hill, Macky, Mason, and McKinney ; Messrs Somerville, Stevenson, Peacock, Thompson, and other gentlemen. The Rev. D. Brace reported that the Rev. Mr Neil had baen inducted at Cambridge, and the committee had arranged to send Mr Fraser to Coromandel, and that Mr Cathcart should preach at St. Luke's, Remuera, in the morning, and at the North Shore at night. —The Rev. Thomas Scott was introduced and took his seat.

Messrs F. Macffarlane and Stevenson here petitioned the Presbytery that St Luke's congregation might be made a distinct change, which, after some consideration, Was granted.

The deputation also asked for further supply, which, it was agreed should be submitted to the Executive of the Home Mission.

RMr Bruce stated that he met thejjpeople of Ngaruawahia, and they expressed a wish to have a clergyman* stationed in their district as Boon as possible. A committed had been appointed with the Tiew of erecting a church in that district on a a site presented by Mr Atkins. Rev. Mr Scott had been officiating in the district with, much acceptation. About £60 had been collected towards the proposed church, and about £50 towards the stipend of a resident minister, but no difficulty had nee<? to be experienced in years to come*, but Nothing could be done at present towards a zpanse.

The committee were of opinion that Mr Scott was suitable for the. district, but they thought that the district was hardly of /rafficient importance yet to ask Mr' Scott to f accept the charge, but in case he should be I v-oointed they would do their best. r Bruce|moved, that every encouragement Agiv^n to the congregation m their laudable efforts to build a Church at Ngaruawahia, «ua a manse, and that a resident minister •ylall be appointed as soon as arrangements can be made by the executive of the mission.

It was agreed, on the motion of the Rev. J. Macky, that Alexandra apd the western' distiicts of the Waikato bB visited by the probationers. The clerk reported that the collector for assembly expenses are to move on the first Sunday in August, and that the Auckland Presbytery bad been assessed at £40. He moved " That it be remitted to the Home Mission Committee." This was seconded by Mr Stevenson and carried. The Eev Mr Wallace read a carefullywritten report on religion and morals, on behalf of the committee appointed to report upon those important subjects. The paper was listened to with attention, aiad followed by considerable discussion. c'Mr Macnicol's report on Sabbath schools was crowded with facts, figures, and information of a very encouraging nature, and showed that "a great amount of g°od is being done in numbers of districts by the agency of Sunday schools in connection with the Presbyterian Church. Eev. James Hill moved the adoption ©f the report, also thanks to Mr Macnicol for the pains he had taken in drawing up the report. Seconded by Mr Sommeiville and carried. The Rev. Peter Mason next read a paper, suggeseing prayer-meetings at stated periods for a revivel of God's work, and other suggestions in connection with Church progress, The clerk then read a letter from the Rev. Wm. Macrea of Waipu to the effect that at the earnest request of his congregation, he had consented to remain in his position, but that absence for a time was necessary, this was accompanied with a medical certificate of Mr. Macrae's health and recommending three months absence.

Mr. Macnicol moved and Mr. Mc'Kinney seconded "That three month's leave of absence be given to Mr. Macrae, and that the sympathy of the Presbytery be conveyed to him." Carried.

Mr. Macnicol read a letter from the lady of Dr. Corbet promising a donation of £100 toward a new church at Tuakau, provided the association subsciibe £50, ('and the good people of the neighbourhood £50, so that the church might be opened free of debt. They had written to say that they had raised the £50, which was all they could do, and expressed a wish that the association ■would do their part in accordance with the tenor of Dr. Corbet/a lettar.

The Rev. D. Bruce and Messrs. Sommerville and Stevenson were appointed a committee to confer with the Tuakafl committee upon the matter.