MEETING OF CLERGYMEN.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2044, 11 September 1880, Page 3

MEETING OF CLERGYMEN.

A meeting was held on Thursday evening, September the 9th, under the auspices of the Christchurch Presbytery, in the lecture room of old St. Paul’s Church, Lichfield street, to confer on the state of religion. The Rev. A. Blake occupied the chair. The Rev. Mr Cairns spoke of the desirability of a colporteur being appointed to sell Bibles, and act as an evangelist. The chairman and Rev. Messrs Elmslie and Croe took the same view of the subject, the latter gentleman stating that the Grand Templar Lodge would assist them with funds. A resolution—“ That it is desirable to have a fitting person appointed tor this work ” —was carried without dissent. The Rev. Messrs Elmslie, Blake and Cairns, and Mr Black were appointed as a committee to give effect to the resolution. The Rev. Mr Elmslie spoke on “Christian Liberality,” suggesting that it should be systematic. After some discussion, the Rev. Messrs Beattie, Elmslie, and O. Fraser, and Mr Black were appointed a committee to draw up a tract on the subject. ’ Tho Rev. Mr Mackie spoke on “ Our Young Men,” saying that the chief causes why more were not religious were too loose family ties and tho lack of parental teaching. He thought that the clergy of the present day were not so far ahead of the people in culture as formerly. This he attributed iu a great measure to the increased facilities for reading and thinking. After some discussion on the matter the meeting was closed by the chairman pronouncing the benediction.