ST. STEPHEN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 33, 8 February 1905, Page 6

ST. STEPHEN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

—.— I RESIGNATION OF TEE REV. T. F. j ROBERTSON. APPOINTED PASTOR EMERITUS. | The intended resignation of the Rev. T. F. Robertson of the charge of St. Stephen's Church, Ponsonby, and a report on a financial arrangement made by his congregation were the subjects of considerable discussion by the Auckland Presbytery last nigiit. The report of a number of commissionera representing St. Stephen's Church was to the effect that in consequence of the Rev. Mr Robertson being compelled by ill-health to resign the charge, the congregation had decided to appoint him j as " pastor emeritus" with an annual al- j lowance of £100 for the next five years and £50 for the five years following. This arrangement was to be subject to | reduction if the Rev. Mr Robertson became able to increase his income (in- j eluding allowance) to over £150 during the first five years, or over £100 after that period, and it waa to cease altogether if he became able to take up a charge worth £150. | Mr T. Peacock, one of the conrmissioners, said the matter had been fully considered by the congregation of St. Stephen's, among whom the feeling was j one of great kindliness and consideration, and a hope was felt that Mr Robertson would, in good time, be restored to health and usefulness in some other sphere. Mr Patterson spoke in a similar ] strain, and hoped the rest and change would benefit their retiring pastor. Mr Kirker said the feeling of the congregation was that if they succeeded in getting a successor as good as Mr Robertson and a pastor's wife as good as Mrs Robertson they would be fortunate. Other commissioners having spoken, the Rev. T. F. Robertson formally tendered his resignation. He said he was glad to be able to say that St. Stephen's was never stronger than it was now, and hn had many valued friends there. But for years past he had felt unequal to the work which the charge of the parish involved, and this was apparent also to his best friends. For a long time past every meeting had been carried out at the cost of much suffering to himself, which almost amounted to martyrdom, on account of his great enemy asthma. He felt very grateful for the generous allowance which St. Stephen's had decided on, J and if he could ever regain the power of | public and impressive speech he would Ibe only too glud to relieve St. Stephen's J of the burden which the members of that church had voluntarily undertaken out of their own kind and generous hearts. From the congregation of St. Stephen's he could promise to any capable successor of his a kind and loving welcome. In further discussion Mr Kirker said it was desired by St. Stephen's that Mr Robertson should retain full right to attend and vote at the Presbytery on behalf of the church. The clerk (Rev. R. Somerville) pointed out that if the Presbytery accepted the resignation and dissolved the pastoral tie, Mr Robertson could not vote at the Presbytery except by appointment by the General Assembly next November. He suggested that instead of dissolving the tie and appointing him as pastor emeritus, they should appoint him as senior pastor. Mr Barker said it was desirable that nothing should be done that would hamper St. Stephen's in the choice of a successor, and some difficulties might arise if the clerk's suggestion were acted on. The Rev. T. F. Robertson said he had no desire to be made senior pastor. It would not be fair to the congregation that he should be, and they might find a difficulty in finding a successor who would take up the charge of the church under such conditions. What he proposed to do -was to resign, and leave it to the Presbytery to apply to the Assembly to be appointed pastor emeritus when they met next November. The Presbytery generally approved of this. The Rev. Mr Monro saM the generous allowance made by St. Stephen's reflected very much credit upon them 'and upon Presbyterians as a whole. He spoke in high terms of Mr Robertson's work and disposition. The Rev. Gray Dixon said he had long been struck with the heroic way in which Mr Robertson had stuck to his work. Another minister remarked that Mr Robertson had made the hearts of many widows and orphans to sing for joy. The pastoral tie was then formally dissolved with prayer in the usual way.