DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Evening Star, Issue 3519, 3 June 1874, Page 2

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The quarterly meeting of the Presbytery was held in the lower hall of the First Church, to-day. Present : The Revs. Messrs Johnston (Moderator), Gow, Watt, Dr. (Stuart, Blake, , Will, M'Naughton’ Gregg,and Gillies (clerk), and Hutton(elder.) PASSAGES EXPENSES FOND. Reports as to the collections for this fund were stated to have been made by all the churches, with the exception of the First Church, St. Andrew’s, and East.Taieri, MISSION WORK. Dr Stuart stated that, by correspondence from Home, he had learnt that the Rev. Mr Russell, of Banff, had been appointed by the Miasioji Committee to labor in Otago in connection with that body. Mr Russell might be expected to arrive here about the beginning of a ugust next. Dr Stuart also introduced to the Presbytery Mr William Nicholl, a student of the Free Church of Scotland, and who had just finished his undergraduate course at the Edinburgh University. The speaker stated that, m a mouth or two, Mr Nicholl would be ready to commence missionary work. It was resolved that Mr Nicholl be received as a student under the Presbytery. CHURCH EXTENSION FUNJ). Collections for this fund were ordered to be held before the next meeting of Presbytery. BLUER FROM KAIKORAI. The commission of Mr James Sounness from the Kaikorai congregation, as elder to represent them at meetings of Presbytery and Synod, was sustained. J THEOLOGICAL TUTORS. Tho Rev. Mr Will gave notice that at next meeting of Presbytery he would nomi* nate the Rev. Mr Watt as one of the tutors .of the proposed Theological Hall. Dr Stuart gave notice that he would move—-“ That the Presbytery do not proceed to nominate a second tutor for the Hall until the necessities of the Church require such an appointment.” The Rev. Mr Gillies gave notice that ho wou.d nominate the Kev. Dr Stuart as Tutor of Church History. revivalism. fw fb ße p‘ v? r f J ° HN u SrON raae to suggest that the Presbytery should take knowledge of the pleasmg fact that a glorious work of God has been accomplished at Home. He thought that a special conference should be appointed to consider the matter Mr Gow Baid he was about to mention the same thing—that steps should be taken to excite interest in the subject. A fortnight ago Jus congregation had decided to take it in hand as a congregation,by holding a 1 week of prayer.

Dr Stuart thought the kirk-sessions and congregations should each" do -it amongst themselves. . At Caversham that had been done, and he thought it much the better way, as each body could choose t|ie time it found most convenient. He, for one, could speak With better effect amongst people to whom he was well known. A livelier interest should be excited in the hearts of theihselves and in the hearts, of the people. i The Rev. Mr Blake was glad the ' subject had arisen, and supported Dr Stuart’s opinion, v

The Rev. Mr Gillies thought a special conference should bo held on the subject, and would move that the Presbytery adjourn till this evening for that purpose. The Rev. Mr Will said no object would he gained by adjourning ; suggestions might now be thrown out for their guidance. Of course they bad no hope of getting the presence of Messrs Moodie and Santley here, but what was wanted was to make it a grand work. The narrative of the doings of those gentlemen at Home, and of the thousands of people Becking te. hear them, proved that the spirit had not yet died away.

It was finally resolved, the business of the Presbytery being concluded, that the subject should be discussed privately. After about an hour’s discussion, the following resolution was carried:—“ That this Presbytery has heard with great pleasure from England and Scotland of the work of revival going on there, and that after conferenoe on the matter, it has resolved to invite its members, and the members of the Church generally within its bounds to conaider what each congregation should do within its own borders te promote a true revival of religion; and that earnest prayer be made in the publio congregational seiS vices, and also u the family, and in private, that God would grant to us a time of refreshing.” ,