PRESBYTERY OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 22, 24 June 1871, Page 4

PRESBYTERY OF WELLINGTON.

TRANSLATION OF THE REV. JOHN ROSS TO TURAKINA. The Presbytery of Wellington met at Masterton on Wednesday, the 14th inst., to consider a call from the united congregations of Turakina and Western Rangitikei, to the Rev. John Ross, Wairarapa. The Rev. James Paterson presided as moderator, and having duly constituted the Presbytery, explained the object of the meeting. A call having been given to Mr Ross, it was-for the Presbytery to consider and determine whether that call should take effect. According to the Presbyterian system, the tie between pastor and people, could not be formed or dissolved without the sanction of the Presbytery. A minister could not assume or renouuce the spiritual oversight of a congregation when ever he pleased ; nor could a congregation turn a minister adrift whenever they pleased ; the whole matter must, in each case, come before the Presbytery, and be by them decided. In this way, it was believed the rights and interests of all parties were best conserved. Pai’ties had, on this occasion, been summoned to appear for their own interests. Accordingly, Alexander Milne, Esq., M.P 0., represented the congregation calling; Messrs A. Yule and J. M'Gregor represented the Kirk session, and congregation at Masterton ; Mr Robert M'Grcgor represented Carterton and Greytown ; Mr D, Sinclair, Tulietcrata, and the Lower Valley; Mr M‘Leod Pahu, and East Coast; Mr Adams, Opaki; and Mr Harvey, Wharekaka.

The Rev. Mr Ross appeared for himself. The call having been presented, was examined, and being found ra due form and attested, was sustained by the Presbytery. Thereupon Mr Milne laid on the table a statement of reasons for the translation, and supported the same in a very able, earnest, and judicious speech, setting forth the circumstances in Avhich the call had arisen—the heartiness and unanimity with which it was given—and the great need there was in the district for a man of Mr Ross’s tried Christian principles and zealous and devoted spirit. Then the elders and deacons of the Wairarapa congregations were heard on the other side. All bore most cordial testimony to the great respect in which Mr Ross was held throughout his wide district, and to the warm affection cherished toward him, to the great amount of good he had been the means of doing by his faithful evangelical ministry, and by his consistent Christian life, and to the deep and universal regret that would be felt by his removal from amongst them, at the same time feeling that the work in that wide district was too hea\y for him, or for any one man, and that in some respects a change might be beneficial for him, they were not prepared to oppose the translation, but. would leave the matter in the hands of the Presbytery ; and if it was decided that he should be taken from them, however reluctantly, they would acquiesce in the decision. They had endeavored to circumscribe the district, and were assured that even within that district, so hearty were the people, the same amount of stipend they had been giving to Mr Ross, or nearly so, could be raised. Still, even this circumscribed district had a radius of about thirty miles. The office-bearers concluded their statement by presenting to the Presbytery the following beautiful and touching address : “ To the meeting of Presbytery assembled at Masterton, May 14th, 1871. We, the committee and congregation of the Presbyterian Church, Masterton, desire to convey to you how truly we appreciate the services of our beloved pastor, the Rev. John Ross ; and as you are assembled to take into consideration matters of solemn importance to us and him, we felt it our duty and privilege to testify of the love and devoted attachment we have for him, who has been laboring amongst us for the last five years. As a sincere, devoted, faithful, minister of the Gospel we have found him ever ready to be doing the will of his Master —seeking by his self-denying efforts to do good unto all men ; and thus has he won the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. Whatever the result of this meeting maybe, our feeling toward him will ever remain the same, and whether he be removed from our midst to labor in another part of God’s vineyard, or whether he remain with us, we can never regard him but with the very warmest feeling of Christian love. Signed on behalf of the committee and congregation, A. Yule, Chairman.” This closed the precedings on the part of the session and congregation, and Mr Milne was heard in reply. He said he had little to add. He felt the responsibility of asking the Presbytery to remove Mr Ross from such a sphere of labor, where he was evidently doing so much good, and where he was so beloved and respected. At the same time he was asking him to be removed to a very needy district, where his coming, he trusted, would, with God’s blessing, be the means of awakening new life, and were the call declined, he knew it would be a great disappointment, and would have a very discouraging effect; but he left the matter entirely in the hands of the Presbytery.

The Moderator then called on Mr Ross to make any statement he might think desirable. Availing himself of this privilege, Mr Ross, who spoke under deep emotion, said the circumstances in which they were met were peculiar, solemn and somewhat painful to the feelings of all parties. The path of duty was often a thorny one, and so it was now. Often the light did not shine much further on the path of duty than the point at which we stood ; so he felt it to be now. He would desire to put away his own wishes, and simply follow the path of duty. He would not like to have the question decided on his own personal interests, but what was

best for the cause of God. Were he to be considered in the matter, it might not be difficult to decide, for really with him for some time past, indeed he might say since ever he came here, the candle had been burning at both ends —both physical and mental strength had almost been worn out. And if he had only to consider himself, he would say that he felt it would be an advantage to have a change, so as f o recruit his physical and mental health and strength, and to have a little more time for study and for pulpit preparation. But if he would consult only his feelings, he would acknowledge that a removal from his present sphere—which was his first love—would be a sore wrench, He was warmly attached to his people, and had received great kindness from them, and he believed they were attached to him. When ho thought of the claims of that wide district, and of the difficulty there might be in finding a successor to take up the work he would have to relinquish—when lie thought of this, he felt sorely the difficulties and perplexities of his position. Indeed he fell that he could not absolutely decide the matter; and he must leave himself and the whole case in the hands of the Presbytery, and would abide by their decision. This concluded the pleadings in the case, and parties having been removed from the bar, the Presbytery proceeded to give judgment. The Rev. Jas. Gumming said he felt deeply the responsibility that rested upon them in giving judgment in this matter. The tie between pastor and people was a very close and tender one, and ought not either to be light.y formed or hastily broken. It was very evident from the simple, honest, earnest statements made by the office-bearers that Mr Ross was very much loved and esteemed, and had been the means of doing much good in this district. No one could have listened to that most beautiful and in every way admirable address read to the Presbytery without being deeply moved. He felt the responsibility of removing Mr Rosa from a district where he was so honored and so useful. At the same time he felt convinced f’-om all he had seen and heard that Mr Ross could not long stand the vast amount of mere physical work he must have ; n so wide a field as this ; and he believed that the change to the more circumscribed district to which he was called would be most beneficial for him. He believed it would add greatly both to his comfort and usefulness. And on that ground, although with great reluctance and with a deep sense of responsibility, he would move that the call take effect, and that Mr Ross be translated to Turakina.

Mr Paterson entirely agreed in what Mr Gumming had so well expressed. Personally he felt a very peculiar interest in the proceedings of this day. He had been closely associated with Mr Ross, and had learned to esteem and to love him, as a man of true soul, of warm heart, of most genial nature ; and in every way a faithful and devoted servant of his Divine Master. Through his friendship with Mr Ross he had also been brought much in contact with the office bearers and .members of this congregation, and all his sympathies were entirely in their favor. Were he considering solely the respective claims of Wairarapa and Turakina, he would have no difficulty in coming to a decision. He would say at once, Mr Ross must remain where he is, for no one could deny that Wairarapa was at least as important a district, and as needy, as Turakina, and perhaps more difficult to supply. But he felt convinced that a change was really needful for Mr Ross. He had observed in recent visits to the Wairarapa how greatly the work was telling upon his friend, and how impossible it was for him to stand it long. He seemed quite worn out. He had ridden over part of his wide district with him, and he was amazed how any man could even attempt to overtake it. And as for having time to read and study and replenish his mind with fresh thought, and adequately prepare for his pulpii ministrations, that seemed out of the question. And it was in vain to try and circumscribejiis district, as the office-bearer's had kindly sought to do. It would be impossible to circumscribe Mr Ross’ labors. You might tell him he need not go beyond certain bounds, but so long as there were families in the very remotest districts, and no minister to visit them, Mr Ross would still feel that he must go and minister to them. And so, practically, his work would not be lessened. He felt shut up, therefore, to the conclusion indicated by Mr Cumming —that they must take the responsibility of loosening Mr Ross from his present charge, and of translating him to the pastoral charge of the united congregations of Turakina and Western Rangitikei. The call having been presented to Mr Ross, he signified his acceptance of it. The Presbytery then engaged in prayer, and thereafter the Moderator pronounced the pastoral tie between Mr Ross and his people dissolved ; but that he should continue to officiate amongst them till the date of his induction at Turakina. Mr Paterson was appointed to act as Moderator of the session at Masterton, pro. tem., and to take steps to fill up the vacancy. The Presbytery expressed their Christian sympathy for the congregations now deprived of their pastor, and prayed that the Great Head of the Church might soon send them a successor —a man of kindred spirit—to go out and in amongst them, breaking to them the Bread of Life. A considerable number of the people were present, who seemed deeply affected by the proceedings, and a large congregation assembled in the evening, when Mr Paterson preached, and addressed them on the solemn and trying circumstances in which they were placed, exhorting them not to be discouraged, but to wait all the more prayerfully on Him who is the Groat Shepherd and Bishop of Souls, and who in His own good time and way would send them another pastor to take the spiritual oversight of them. It is understood that Mr Ross will preach his farewell sermon at Masterton on tho second Sabbath of July-— i.e., 9th,