Presentation

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 86, 2 March 1876, Page 5

Presentation

TO THE RET. MR. BANNERMAN,

A deputation from the Committee formed / * the purpose of procuring tho. necessary funds 'to' defray .the expenses of the deputy (Rev. William Bannerman) from the Synod of Otago and Souths land to the General Presbyerian Council, 'to be held in Edinburgh in July' next, waited on the Rev. Mr Bannerman on Monday at noon. The deputation consisted of the Revs. Messrs Gow, Mackie/and M'Naughton, and Messrs A. C. Begg, King, Hay (Port Molyneux), Hill, Mollisoii, ancl Millar. ■-•..-.>..

The Rev. Mr Gow, in the name of those-pre-sent and the other contributors here and'throughout tho Presbyterian Church of Otago, presented the reverend gentleman with the s,um of £209, as the amount received to date,! and stated at tho' same; time that a large number of ' subscription lists had not yet come to hand.- Mr .Gow expressed the great pleasure he had in presenting such a substantial gift, showing as 'it- ilicl the kindly feeling which existed toward Mr Banner,man throughout the Church generally," and how highly his services wore appreciated by a large number of friends. •

lhe Rev. Mr Bannerman, in reply, thanked Mr Gow and the gentlemen,' present as well as absent, for the handsome provision they had seemed to enable him to fulfil his mission. That provision he regarded as an indication of their liberality, and of the interest taken by thorn in the objects contemplated by the Council to which he had been appointed. Hn was much, gratified that he had been elected to the Council, and trusted that, by the grace of God, he might be enabled to fulfil the trust committed to him. That Council might yet wield an important influence in connection with the great confb'ct in which . prophecy indicated that the Church in these latter days would be. involved. The Ritual-' ism and Broad Churchism! of the present "day stand in "antagonism to the first principles of the Presbyterian constitution, . They' implied- a departure from the authority of Scriptures as the sole rule of the Church of Christ". . If the Council did no more than lead to the. full consideration of and adherence to, this .great principle' they would do a great work in. the interests of 'true religion. He trusted that, in the good providence of God, they would be permitted to meet again, and together carry on the work of the Lord in this land. .

Tho Rev. Mr Maosie; then offered up an appropriate and earn est -.prayer on behalf of their brother, who was going out' from among them for a time, tbat he might be- kept in safety on the mighty deop, and brought back to' his family, flock, and Church, in snfetyjand hi health-.