PRESBYTERY OF DUNEDIN.

Evening Star, Issue 3133, 5 March 1873, Page 2

PRESBYTERY OF DUNEDIN.

The quarterly meeting of this reverend body was held in the First Church to-day, There were present—The Moderator (Rev. Mr Blake), Revs, Dr. Stuart, Dr. Copland, Messrs M'Naughton, Gillies, Will, Watt, Johnston, Greig, Gow; and Mr Martin, elder. The following business was transacted

The Rev Mr Blake was elected Moderator for the ensuing six months. The Kev. Mr Campbell, of Victoria, was introduced, to the Presbytery, and delivered a very instructive address, in the course of which he advocated the increasing of ministers’ stipends, as a likely means of securing the services of able men ; the necessity for increased interest in mission work, which he considered should be arranged entirely by the Colonial Church. Touching Spiritualism he counselled that it was a subject best left alone, unless thoroughly understood. Doctors differed about it, and it was a question ef physics and metaphysics. He suggested, as the best means of counteracting the influence of Spiritualism, that the letters of the editor of the Melbourne Telegraph, and the Rev. Mr Potter of that city, should be printed and circulated here, and blamed the Press of Dunedin for not following the example of the Victorian Press in condemning Messrs Peebles and Dunn, The Prv-sV>ybery of Glatha replied to tile minute of the Dunedin Presbytery on the subject of separating Brighton—that it did not deem it avisablc to take steps for the dbjunction of Otakia from W.dhola. Messrs Will and Watt wore appointed a committee to consult with the Kev. .1. M. Allan about preaching at Kuri Bush. Extracts from Synod were submitted, and orderc i to be dealt with at a future meeting. On the subject of the proposed Caversharn charge, Mr Gow explained that after the meeting of Synod, he met the Caversharn people, and found them in a state of disorganisation, in consequence of the Synod’s action in the first instance. However, after conversation with them, the office-bearers .agreed to hold office for the current quarter, and, during the next quarter, a minister would be sent them, to hold services, with a view to the congregation making application at a future meeting of Presby ery to be sanctioned. Reference was also made to the incorrect minuting of the Synod’s proceedings, and to the delay that ha I taken place in publishing th° Synodical reports—a delay which Dr Stuart characterised as vexatiqus, and injurious to Church interests. Dr Stuaut brought uqder the notice of the Presbytery the death of the Rev W. Alvca, upon which a resolution \yas minuted expressive of the Prc-bytery's appreciation of the deceased gentleman’s attainments: of their regret at his removal ; and of their sympathy with his widow and family. The Kev. Dr. Stuart suggested that the Rev, Mr Blake visit the Maori Settlement once a quarter, and that the Presbytery make arrangements for the supply of his pulpit in his absence.

The Kev. Jonu Gow thought that an afternoon service once a quarter would meet all the requirements of the case. The Rev. Mr Will thought there would be some difficulty in finding the supply suggested.

The Rev Mr Blake had some difficulty in carrying out the desires 'of the Presbytery, unless provision was made for supplying his pulpit when absent.

The Kev. Mr Will considered that if the Presbytery provided one service to Mr Blake’s congregation on the Sundays he would be required to be absent, the difficulty would be met. After some further discussion, it was agreed that Mr BlaWs pulpit be supplied during his absence by the members of the Presbytery, in the order ®f seniority. .SPIRITUALISM IX THE CHURCH. The Kev. Mr Will said that rome time since the Presbytery bad under its consideration the conduct of a certain office-bearer iu regard to several questions with which be refused to comply. But recently be (Mr Will) thought they had been justly—if he did nob use the word shocked, at all events disappointed somewhat—to find an officebearer on a platform, backing up Mr Peebles and Dr Dunn. He wished to know if anything had been done by the Knox Church Session iu reference to this matter. It was certainly time it should be checked, and this was a case in point. One might go to hear what the spiritualists had to say, for the purpose of learning or opposing ; but that was a different thing to backing up one who had no scruples in attacking the very fundamentals of the Christian faith. He (Mr Will) did not care a straw about Spiritualism, except that it was made a pretence for raking up all the old objections which had been brought against Christianity, and all the infidel sneering by sceptics for ages. It was $n attack of a most blasphemous kind. He thought it would be very evident to the Presbytery, that po office-bearer of the Church could be allowed for a moment to take part iu countenancing such men. It was unnecessary to say more at present, because the proper course was for the Kirk Session to deal with the office-bearer ; and he simply called the Presbytery’s attention to it fur the purpose of asking Dr Stuart, what steps had been taken by the Session. If the Session had not dealt, or was not dealing with it, the Presbytery should direct it to proceed. Dr Stuart : I do not think it desirable that I should do anything more than simply say that the Session of Knox Church has had its attention directed to this matter, and has it under consideration.

A minute having been drafted, Dr CoiTiA.Ni) said what had been brought before the Presbytery was that an officebearer in the Lhurch had 1 eea lending his countenance, by attending on the platform at a meeting where speakers Of lecturers had

been preaching open blasphemy. The minute should bear the description both of the appearance of the o(hcc ; bearer. and that it was based upon public reports. That was all that was brought under notice. Mr Watt was uulerstood to say that there might be a d;(Terence of opinion as to what would bo called blasphemy. The fundamentals of their common Christianity—the Bible and the Professions of Faith-had been publicly attacked ; and one of their office-bearers had been present countenancing all that. That was the matter they bad to deal with. Dr Stuart would simply avoid passing judgment, because bo did not know what these men taught. The following minutes were then adopted : —“The Kev. Mr Will brought under the notice of the Presbytery a fam i regarding an office-bearer of Knox Church, to the clfcct that he bad countenanced by appearing on the platform at public Sabbath services held in Dunedin, whereat doctrines subversive of the fundamentals of our Christian faith have been promulgated, and requested permission of the Presbytery to ask Dr Stuartwhether the case had been taken into consideration by the Session, to which Dr Stuart replied that the Session of Knox Church has had its attention directed to this matter, and has it under its consideration.” It was suggested by Dr Stuart that the name of the office-bearer should be inserted in the minute ; but the generally expressed opinion w is that it did not appear on the records until the case was dealt with. Mr Will : Will Dr Stuart say whether the office-bearer has been summoned or suspended by the session ? Dr Stuart : I do not think it desirable to mention all that has been done.

Mr Gillies : It is quite open for the Presbytery to call upon Dr Stuart afterwards for a report. This concluded the business, and the Presbytery adjourned until the first Wednesday in June.