THE KEY. GEORGE HAY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2907, 22 February 1886, Page 2

THE KEY. GEORGE HAY.

We are pleased to learn that the Rev. Geo. Hay, late minister of the Presbyterian Church, Kumara, has been prosperous since his arrival in New South Wales, and, as he writes in a private letter with which we have been favoured with a persual—has been successful beyond ail he could hope for. He is now the minister of the largest parish and the finest church in New South Wales, which is at. Coorna, 257 miles south-west of Sydney, and 30 miles north east from the Snowy River. The parish is 300 miles one way and 150 the other, or about the size of the County of Westland. There are nine preaching centres in the parish, with an average attendance of 600 persons. It will no doubt inteiest our readers, and particularly Presbyterians, to read particulars of the call ot the Rev. Mr Hay to this church. In the Manaro Mercury, published at Cooma, on the 3rd insb, we find the following: The Presbytery of Manaro met at the Cooma Presbyterian Church on the 26th January, and was duly constituted by the reading of the Scriptures and prayer. There were present the Revs. Wnt. Gardner, Moderator pro tern., J. M. Ross, and Mr W. Oliver, Presbytery elder for Cooma.

Mr Ross was appointed clerk pro tem., and on the part of himself and Mr (Gardner, presbytery commissioners re visitation of Oooma charge, ho reported their diligence, and intimated that the call had been duly moderated in, and was unanimously in favor of, the Rev. George Hay,

minister of the Gospel, and agent of the Church Extension Committee. It was laid on the table largely signed and attested in due form. There was also laid on the table an exact minute of resolution passed at a representative meeting of the Cooma charge as follows:—“That this meeting having heard the report of the commissioners of Presbytery regarding the unanimity of the congregations at the various preaching centres of this charge visited re call to the Rev. G. Hay and re stipend, that the stipend should be at least £3OO and a manse, resolved to do its very utmost to make the charge self-sus-taining at that figure.” Mr Ross stated that he accepted that resolution on behalf of the Sustentation Committee, as a provisional arrangement. He accordingly moved that the call be sustained and placed in the hands of Mr Hay, who, being in attendance, accepted the same. The credentials of Mr Hay were laid on the table and found in due form, also evidence of his being an accepted agent of this church. The edict for induction was returned as having been served on 17th and 24th instant. It was again read to the congregation assembled in the church, and opportunity afforded for handing in objections ; sufficient time having elapsed, and no objections to the life or doctrine of the minister elect forthcoming, it was resolved to proceed with the induction. By appointment of the Presbytery, the Rev. J. M. Ross conducted divine service, after which he put to Mr Hay and the congregation the prescribed questions, and having received satisfactory answers, did by prayer induct the Rev. G. Hay into the pastorate of the Cooma charge in due form, after which the Presbytery gave him the right hand of fellowship. Mr Ross hereafter suitably addressed the minister and congregation, and concluded the service by pronouncing the benediction, when Mr Hay was cordially welcomed by the people. Thereafter the Presbytery adjourned till next day, at 11 a.m.

The Coonia district is considerably elevated, with mountains attaining to the height of 6000 feet above mean sea level, with heavy fall of snow, which remains for some weeks. It is fifty miles east of Kiandra, which, as many of our miners are aware hy experience, is the coldest climate in New South Wales. Of the climate of Cooma, Mr Hay writes : “ The climate is splendid ; snow in winter, and not too hot in summer.” The Presbyterian Church is built of granite, as are the Government offices and principal business places. Population, 1100. The stipend is .£3OO a year to begin with, and to the Manse there are about eight acres of land attached, in which is grown as much lucern as feeds the horses and cows, and vegetables for the family.

We wish the reveaend gentleman prosperity and success in his new sphere of labour.