ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Dunstan Times, Issue 495, 13 October 1871, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

[We do not identify ourselves with the opinions that may he expressed hy our correspondents.] AN EXPLANAII >N BY THE KEY. j C. S. BOSS. (TO THE EDITOR OF THE DUE STAN TIMES.) Sir, —I have been in the saddle for the last five days, and it was only this afternoon that my attention was directed to a “local” in the last issue of the Dunstan Times, referring to services held hy the members of the Commission appointed by the Presbytery to visit this district anonfc my resigns l ion of the parish, and expressing surprise that the said Commission “ held no interview with the original Clyde Committee appointed to co-operate with the resident Minister.” The Presbyteries of our Church have sufficient confidence in their members to believe that they will not consciously misrepresent facts. It may possibly happen that it may be otherwise; but then good reason should be shown why the statements of a clergyman should be sceptically or cautiously received. I explained to the Presbytery of Clutha why the Presbyterian Church Committee at Clyde withdrew from office, and I have no hesitation whatever in repeating my statements for the information of the people at Clyde. The facts were these: I was repeatedly informed, either through lip or proxy, that the members of the Clyde Committee desired to resign. Unwi'ling that men should bepressed into the service of the Church against their inclination or convictions, I wrote a circular letterto every member of committee, requesting him to meet me in a certain house on a specified day on business of special importance. We met, I explained the object of the meeting; referred to the desire, either expressed or repeated to mo, which they had, to resign, explained that I took that as an indication of a 'ack of interest in the work which they had engaged to do, and that it might be perhaps, the most desirable thing in the circumstances to withdraw from office. This they unanimously agreed to do. For two or three Sundays thereafter, I proclaimed from the pulpit that, the Committee had resigned, and desired the Congregation, if they wished a continuance of Presbyterian Services in the town, to meet together on some week day evening, and select another to occupy their room. They knew what the consequences would be, and yet they refrained from taking any step in the matter. I really fail to see, how, in the circumstances, any satisfactory object could have been gained by any formal and official meeting of the Presbyterial Commission with the original Clyde Presbyterian Church Committee. I am, Sir, Your's, &c., C. STEWART ROSS. The Manse, October 11, 1871. Theodore Hook; when dining with the author of a work called “Three Words to the Drunkard," was asked to Review it. “Oh, my dear fellow,'that I will do in three j if ordS— ‘Pass' the bottlo. ’