ST. JOHN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LYTTELTON.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 916, 1 June 1877, Page 3

ST. JOHN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LYTTELTON.

THE CALL TO THE REV. J. HIEL. At a recent meeting of the Auckland Presbytery, the Rev. G-. Brown introduced the subject of the call to the Rev. J. Hill by the congregation of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Lyttelton. He stated that a commission had been appointed at Lyttelton, but, at Mr Hill's request, the gentlemen comprised in it had not taken the trouble to come to Auckland in support of it. An extract from the minutes of a meeting of the session of St John's Church, Lyttelton, was read by the clerk; also the call. He likewise read the following communication from the congregation of St. James's, Thames : —" To the Rev. Moderator and members of the Auckland Presbytery: Having received a statement from the Rev. Mr Hill that his mind was made up in regard to the call from Lyttelton, and a request that, as we had recently gone through the same process, we should not send commissioners to the Presbytery, we have departed from the course usually followed in such cases, and have agreed to send only a letter expressive of our continued respect for Mr Hill and attachment to him as our minister. Mr Hill originated the Presbyterian cause here, and for nine years has given his best efforts to the building up of the church, and his removal will be a great loss toais. If Mr Hill decidos still to continue among us, it will be the cause of gratitude and thankfulness ; but if he leaves us, we sincerely hope it will be for his happiness, and that in his new sphere his ministry may be greatly blessed. Wo shall long retain a grateful recollection of his labours among us, and he shall take with him our best wishes for his prosperity. —D. MACNAB, Chairman."

The Clerk having intimated [that the Presbytery was prepared to hear Mr Hill, that gentleman said :—Moderator, During the last lew years 1 have received, both publicly and privately, several invitations to go to other spheres of labour, but, though there has been in every instance the inducement of an increase of stipend and other advantages, I have till now elected to remain at the Thames. No undue haste to leave my position there,

therefore, have I manifested. In a different light, however, do I regard the call sent tome from St. John's congregation, Lyttelton. Since the day I received it I have never doubted it was ray duty to accept it; and, with the permission of the Presbytery, I now do so. The prospect of my removal from the Thames awakens in my breast very deep regret. I have been there, I may say, from the commencement of the field. I have taken a part in most of the public matters ; I have been with the community' in prosperity and in depression ; I know almost all who reside in the distinct, and among these are many whoso personal friendship I enjoy, and highly value ; and the thought of breaking the tics which bind me to the place is the occasion of nothing short of actual sorrow. Within the outer circle of the general community there are . several circles with which I have been more immediately associated—and first among these, of course, is the congregation over which I have had the honor and the pleasure to preside. In ceasing to be their minister, I have to say that of the partings with congregations which I have had during the twenty-three years of my ministry, that with the congregation at the Thames occasions a regret only second to that which I experienced in leaving my first congregation —the congregation of my youth in Scotland. The members and adherents of the church at the Thames have manifested to me kindness which has not only encouraged me in the discharge of my duties, but supported me in the time of my sorrow ; and which, wherever I go in the world, I never shall forget. Their unabated attachment to me as their minister I highly appreciate, and nothing but a strong sense of duty could have brought me to decide for separation. It is my earnest hope that they may soon have placed over them a minister whose labours shall be blessed to a greater degree than mine have been. One other cause of regret I mention —namely, withdrawal from the members of the Auckland Presbytery. It is a satisfaction to me to-day to think that during the thirteen years I have been connected with the Presbytery I have lived on the best terms with all my brethren in the ministry. Though often differing in opinion in the consideration of the business and work of the Church, never have these differences been permitted in the slightest degree to inten*upt the intercourse or diminish the friendship of private life. For the prosperity of all the members of the Presbytery my best wishes are cherished, as I confidently believe I shall take with me their earnest desires for my welfare and happiness. Though I have thus spoken honestly and freely of the regret whicli the acceptance of this call awakens in my heart, I have to say that, as to the propriety of that acceptance, my opinion remains unchanged. To the reasons which have influenced me I have made no allusion. Suffice it to say that, that to my own mind, these appear thoroughly sufficient; and I trust that residts will make it manifest that they receive the approval of the G-reat Master Himself. The Rev. J. Macky said it was with feelings of sincere regret that he. rose to mo e that the cannection between the Eev. Mr Hill and the Thames congregation should be dissolved. Since Mr Hill had first taken his seat at the Presbytery they had been called upon five times to consider calls made to him, and that was the fifth time that he (the speaker) had moved a similar proposition, Mr Macky then narrated Mr Hill's career at Auckland and the Thames, and in doing so paid a high tribute of praise to his abilities and energy as a minister of the Gospel. He concluded by expressing his deep regret at Mr Hill's departure from their midst, and the earnest hope that his connection with the Lyttelton congregation might be as harmonious and satisfactory as those with St James's, Auckland, and St James's, Thames. The Rev. D. Bruce seconded the motion, and in doing so, fully and cordially endorsed the utterances of Mr Macky. He further took occasion to say that Mr Hill's presence in the South would have a beneficial effect. It woxdd have the effect of blending to a greater degree than hitherto attained the sympathies of North and South. He would also build up a strong and prosperous church in the district to which he was going. The Eev R. F. Macnicol expressed his deep personal regret at the severance of the tie which had bound Mr Hill more immediately to them. He had conducted with the greatest success, and for a number of years, the most important charge in the limits of the Auckland Presbytery. It was the most important because it involved a great amount of labor, and was peculiar in some respects from other charges. The Revs T. Norrie and G. Brown spoke in similar terms. On the motion of the Rev J. Macky, seconded by the Rev D. Bruce, the Moderator was deputed to attend at the Thames on the first Sabbath in June to officially declare the pastoral tie dissolved, and the charge vacant.