DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Evening Star, Issue 3735, 11 February 1875, Page 2

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The Presbytery met in the First Church this morning; present- Dr Stuart (Moderator), Dr Copland, the Revs. Messrs Blake, Gillies, Gregg, Mackie, M' v augbton, Russell, Sutherland, Watt, and Will j Mr King and a few other elders. Prayer was offered up by the Moderator. A VISITOR. The TW Mr Maokie introduced the Rev. Mr Duff, of Avondale, Tasmania, now on a visit to New Zealand.— The ModertOH expressed his pleasure at seeing Mr Duff amongst them, he being well known to them by hears y, and said that ho was sure all the clergy would be glad to exercise hospitality towards their visitor. Mr Duff would be associated with the Synod during its present sitting. THE OALL TO JIK EUS3ELE. The Rev. Mr M'NakOhton handed in a call from the congregation ot Caversham to the Rev. Mr Russell, saying that the number of signatures was 60—37 mem 1 ers and 13 ad*, berenta ; of dissentients, 11—5 members and-G adherents. The speaker thought it a most harmonious call, and moved that it be sustained. Hr. Copland seconded the motion. As one of the committee appointed to visit the district, he could assure the Presbytery that the call

desire of the congregation for the ministry of Mr Russell. The few dissentients were only such as wished a little delay in order that they might hear other candidates preach, and therefore he thought the Presbytery should have no difficulty or hesitation in putting the call into Mr Ru-seli’s hands. Mr Cameron, of Caversham, said all the members of the committee bad signed the call, with one exception ; and another elder, also from Caversham, said that the only reason for dissent was the rather hurried way in which the matter had been cairied on It was agreed to sustain the call. Hie Mon Rator th. n addressed Mr Rusrell (l that b ~ had h .' d a B rea t deal to do with Caversham. Some eleven years ago he was at a meeting there with Dr Copland, and, fromtlie state of things there, they lost all hope of the place ; but that proved tn be the turning point of the district. Mr Russell was entering on a parish where, with the Divine blessing on his ill igence, be could build up a good congregation. He (Dr btuait) was sure that the facts as regarded the d’ssentients were as Dr Copland had stated, and that the member** of the congregation would fall in with their new minister loyally and be a helper to him in his work. The Rev. Mr Russell said he cordially acc pted the call. 3 The meeting then adjourned ; the induction being fixed for Wednesday, 24th inst., at 7.30 p.ra : the Rev. Mr Gregg to perform the cereinony, the liev. Mr Gow to address the minismi ’ t> Copland to address th** people. Ihe Rev. Mr Sutherland was appointed to preach next Sabbath and serve the edict.