ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2158, 6 April 1870, Page 2

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sir—ln tbe various references made to circumstances connected with this congregation in the Preshj'tery, the newspapers, and in private conversation, there is one point on which the congregation is blamed which requires some explanation. When the sentence of suspension was removed from Mr >crymgeour, his services were requested and obtained for three months, and it was understood that this was done with the view of deciding whether the congregation should agree in calling him to be their minister. This is perfectly true ; but it must be borne in mind that, during the currency of these three months, we were in expectation of getting into the new church then erecting for the congregation, and it was thought desirable that no steps should be taken in the matter of a call until we got settled in tke Church. When that took place, only two weeks remained of the three months for which Mr Sorymgeour was appointed, and it was impossible in that time to carry through the forms of the church connected with calling a minister. When the meeting was held on the 28th February, at which it was agreed to engage Mr Scrymgcour for pulpit supply, there was no application made to the Presbytery at all. The Moderator (the llev. Mr Stuart) was requested to engage Mr Scrymgeour’s services, as authorised by the Synod, which he failed to do. The reason why a call was not sought at that time was, because it was understood that the minority would oppose the call, and ihat appeal to the Synod would be necessary; and seeing that body did not hold its meet* iug for ten months, there did not seem to he any occasion for hurrying on the call. And likewise, it was found that every week the congregation was becoming stronger, and its financial condition improving; and thus it became desirable {to secure Mr Scrymgeour’s services as continuously as possible, that the congregational interests might not suffer. There was no des re either to delay the call, or to continue Mr Scrimgemr in the position of a probationer, but understanding that the matter could not be finally disposed of for several months, it was felt unnecessary to push it on immediately. The circumstances of the congregation, numerically and financially, were stated and explained in the Presbytery, but that body had their own ends to serve, and the speeches delivered by the leading members on the occasion showed that the interests of the congregation and the good of the Church were not among them.—l am, &c. Veritas. Dunedin, 6th April, 1870.