PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 583, 2 May 1876, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

The annual sitting of the Presbyterian Synod of Canterbmy and Westland, was commenced, last evening, in St Andrew's Church, Tuam street. . There was not a very large attendance. .The proceedings were opened by the singing of a portion of the 40th Psalm ; after which the retiring Moderator, the Bev W. S. McQowan, read the 53rd chapter of Isaiah. The Rev 0. Eraser then engaged in prayer. After which the Moderator preaohed tbe usual-farewell sermon, taking for bis text Isaiah liii., 6th verse, " All we, like sheep, have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way ; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Havirig concluded thd 1 sermon the Moderator said the first part of the proceeding? being ever, they would now proceed with the business of the Synod, which, was then constituted with prayer. The rolls were then called as follows: Cbristcbhrch—Revs 'Charles Eraser, W. 8. McGowany J. #. CTree,' W. McGregor, W. H. Horner, Wm Douglas, W. R.. Campbell, Jas Wilson^'H.* 1 r ßi. ,r Burnett.- Elders: Mr John Miiw, (St' Paul's Church), Mr Wm Johnston^ KafapOi fand ' ;Rangiora,; and Mr J. fc ' (j; ,( Tyfe,'. v: St. : John's, Lyttelton.-' Geo 'Barclay, Geraldine ; Mr Wm SteWfirtfle^derM Mr'Gillies, Timaru; Bev Waiinate; ; " The Rev Mr Elmslie' was invited to take his place with the'other members of the Synod,'vand to take part in the business during the session. The retiring Moderator thanked the Synod for the honor they'had done him in having chosen him to act as their Moderator for the past year, arid'he should by and by give an account of his stewardship. He. trusted that the "accounts', which the Synod would receive flbhi .the fvarious quarters would .be, favorable. 4ri're'ferenc'e to'his successor in that chair, .hfe shad great! pleasureT in' pro'- : posing for the ensuing year the Rev J. W. Cree, of Southbridge. He was one of the hardest working ministers in that quarter. He could bear his testimony to that. He (the speaker) was at his place a few Sundays ago, and preached three times, also administering. the Lord's Supper a like number of times. The church on each occasion was fujl to overflowing, and he found i hat the congregation came very punctually, and wore very devout. He had great pleasure indeed in proposing Mr Cree as his successor, and he firmly believed he would occupy that position with greater credit to himself wad tee. Synod than he (the speaker;

had been able to do. He hoped that his proposition would meet with the concurrence of the Synod. The Rev Charles Fraser seconded the nomination of Mr Cree, and bore his testimony to his general fitness for the office. The motion was carried unanimously. The Rev Mr Cree was then introduced to the Synod, and having taken the Moderator's chair, delivered an introductory address, which was chiefly devoted to the question of the Sabbath. The Rev Mr Fraser proposed—" That the Synod should meet to-day at 11 o'clock, and that the first hour be devoted to prayer ; also that the Synod should then consider (in committee) in what order the business should be taken during the remainder of the sederunt." Seconded by the Rev William Douglas, and agreed to. The Synod then adjourned until 11 o'clock this morning.