PRESBYTERY OF CHRISTCHURCH.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 534, 4 March 1876, Page 3

PRESBYTERY OF CHRISTCHURCH.

The Presbytery of Christchurch met in St Andrew’s schoolroom, Christchurch, ad huno effeotum, and for ordinary business, and wac opened with devotional exercises. Sederunt —The Revs William Douglas (moderator), Oree, Fraser, McGowan, McGregor (clerk), and Mr Johnston, elder. Minutes of last meeting were read, cor* rected, and confirmed. In re the Rev W. H. Horner’s application to be released from his charge, the Rev W. McGregor reported that he had preached and presided at congregational meeting as requested, and that the resolution passed by the congregation was that the Rev W. H. Horner be requested to take leave of absence for three or four months, and provide a substitute, and that Messrs Peacock, Sutherland, and Kennedy were nominated as commissioners to Presbytery, and were duly cited to appear for the interests of the congregation at this meeting, Mr McGowan moved, and Mr McGregor seconded—“ That the Commissioners be heard,” Messrs Sutherland and Kennedy appeared at the bar of the Presbytery, and stated the resolution of the congregation, the good feeling that existed towards their pastor, and that they would be sorry to part with him. The Rev W. H. Horner replied that he had no hope of resuming the work of the congregation after three months, that he required an indefinite leave of absence, and that he wished to be freed from his responsibility, as the increasing congregation required immediate pastoral care, Mr Fraser moved, and Mr McGowan seconded, and all the brethren concurred—- “ The Presbytery having heard the deputation from Mr Horner’s congregation, and also Mr Horner himself, resolve that, deeply sympathising with Mr Horner in the affliction in his family, they will lend all needful assist ance in supplying his pulpit for a period of three months, and grant him leave of absence for that time,” Mr Horner said he would consider the offer of the Presbytery, and reply at next meeting, on the second Thursday in April. Mr Fraser stated that he received yesterday a telegram from Wanganui, intimating that Mr* Elmslie had accepted the call to St Paul’s, Christchurch. The Rev Mr McGowan intimated that he deeply regretted that he had been unable to proceed as commissioner from Presbytery to Wanganui. It was resolved that the induction of the Rev John Elmslie to the charge of St Paul’s, Christchurch, take place on the first Thursday of May at 2 p.m., when the Rev J. Wilson will preach, the Eer Charles Fraser preside and

induct, the Rev J. W. Cree address the minister, the Kev W. McGregor address the people, and the Rev W. Douglas expound the Presbyterian principles. Commission in behalf of Mr Johnston, Rangiora, as representative elder of Kaiapoi and Rangiora to Presbytery and Synod was laid on the table and sustained. The clerk read extract of letter from Mr Campbell, Waiau, in re gift of church by Geo, Rutherford, Esq, to the people of Waiau, On the motion of Mr Fraser, it was unanimously resolved—“ That the Presbytery having learned that George Rutherford, Esq, of Leslie Hills had conveyed an acre of land to the congregation at Waiau, and built thereon at his own expense a church capable of containing seventy persons, record the high sense of the Christian liberality of that gentleman on this and other occasions, and instruct the clerk to forward a copy of this resolution to him.”

The deputies of Presbytery to Akaroa were asked for their report. The Rev W. McGregor reported that he was well pleased with the prosperous condition of Church affairs in Akaroa, and addressed the congregation on “ Home Religion.” Mr Johnston, elder, reported that the work was going on effectually both in the Church and Sabbath school, and besides addressing the congregational meeting, he addressed the Sabbath school on the following Sabbath. Mr McGowan moved—- “ That he was much gratified with the report, and that it be ? received.” Agreed to. The Rev W. McGregor and Mr Johnston agreed to visit Pigeon Bay as requested. The Convener on Leeston title deeds reported that since last meeting of Presbytery he went to Leeston, but was unable to do anything on the occasion, and promised to have the matter settled by next meeting. Mr Horner applied to the Presbytery to take into consideration the necessity for an additional labourer in the Leithfield and northern district. It was resolved to do so at next and the clerk was instructed to communicate this resolution to the Leithfield financial committee. Under the Synodical Act of Presbyterial Visitation, Mr Cree requested deputies to be appointed to visit Leeston in April. The Revs Fraser and McGowan and Mr Johnston, elder, consented to go. In re Ashburton title deeds. Mr Fraser stated that the documents had been in the hands of the Ashburton committee’s solicitor for the last eight months, with instructions to execute the conveyance to trustees, and that he had visited the solicitor’s office since last meeting of Presbytery with a member of the Ashburton committee, who had expressed his thorough satisfaction with the arrangements made. It was moved by Mr Fraser, and seconded by Mr Cree—“ That the Presbytery recommend that the names of Messrs Robert Wilkin and John Anderson be added to the list of the Ashburton trustees,” Agreed to. The clerk was instructed to write Mr Burnett, and advise him to hasten their committee’s solicitor to execute the deeds. The meeting was closed with the Benediction.