WELLINGTON PRESBYTERY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4878, 9 November 1876, Page 3

WELLINGTON PRESBYTERY

A meeting of the Wellington Presbytery was held yesterday morning at 11 o'clock,in St. John's Church, Willis-street, there being present the Rev. Mr. Moir (Moderator), Rev. Mr. Paterson (clerk), Rev. Mr. McKee, Rev. Mr. Lindsay, and Mr. Smith. The minutes of meetings held at Wanganui and elsewhere were read ; also, minutes of the meeting held for considering the translation of the Rev. Mr. Allsworths, and were confirmed. CAM. TO THE BEV. MB. LINDSAY. Mr. Paterson said it would be in the recollection of the Presbytery that an application was made to the Church of Scotland for a minister for the Lower Valley of the Wairarapa, also for a grant towards his stipend for a term of years. In response to that application the Church of Scotland very generously agreed to guarantee £l5O a year for three years towards the stipend of the minister sent out, Mr. Lindsay. He (Mr. Paterson) regarded this as a very generous action on the part of the Church at Home, and he thought this Presbytery ought to instruct the Rev. Mr. Ogg to write expressing their hearty thanks for the same. Mr. Lindsay in due course arrived here, and had already entered on his. work in the Wairarapa, and he was glad to give him a cordial welcome to the ministry in this colony. The rev. gentleman then produced the call to Mr. Lindsay, and the credentials be brought with him from the Church of Scotland. The Presbyteral Certificate from the Presbytery of Kirkcudbright, was read as follows : —lnter alia : “ The Presbytery did, and hereby do certify, that the Rev. James Lindsay, preacher of the Gospel; has resided within their bounds since the 11th August, 1875, that he is favorably known to the brethren, and has officiated with acceptance in many of. the churches within the bounds, and that his conduct and character are in all respects consistent with his professional views.—(Signed) George Walker, 8.D., Presbytery Clerk.” . It was then moved and carried, —-That the Rev. Mr. Lindsay be welcomed cordially as a probationer within the boonds of the Presbytery. Mr. Paterson then read the call which had attached to it thirty-eig'-t signatures, which were for the most part those of the heads of families. He had much pleasure in moving that the call be sustained, and that it be presented to Mr. Lindsay. Seconded by Mr. McKee, and carried. The Moderator then presented the call to Mr. Lindsay, who signified his acceptance of the same. ; Mr. McKee mentioned that the people in the district to which Mr. Lindsay had been: called, were working heartily with the object of providing a manse, and that in the course of three or four months there would in all likelihood be collected a sum of £BOO, He remarked further that the minister’s stipend had been taken into consideration, and he entertained no doubt of £l5O being raised by collection, in addition to the sum guaranteed by the Home Church for three years. Mr. Ogg thought it was generally understood that the congregation would use every effort to raise an additional sum of money, which would make the salary, say, £3OO per annum go long as the giant from the Chnrch of Scotland continued. Inany case he de'emedit very advisable that some definite amount should be stated ; otherwise - the amou t collected would be altogether inadequate ; and he suggested therefore that members of the Presbytery should urge upon the people the necessity of collecting the minister’s stipend, for it was unquestionably a duty the reverse of pleasant for the minister himself to perform. Mr. Paterson quite agreed with what Mr. Ogg had said. He thought that at the very least an equal sum to that guaranteed by the Chnrch of Scotland should be contributed by the people. He was under the impression that there was an organisation in the Lower Valley to perform the task of collection, and that it was composed -of some of the most active members of the church there. Mr. Lindsay did not anticipate any difficulty in regard to the stipend. It was ultimately decided to hold a meeting at Waihenga for the ordination of Mr., Lindsay, Mr. Ogg to preach and preside ; Mr. Moir to give the charge to the minister, and Mr. McKee to address the people. It was resolved to recommend to the congregation to raise a sum towards the minister’s stipend of not less than £l5O. Some discussion arose as to church collections, and it was generally agreed that collections should be taken wherever stated services were held. REV. MR. TREADWELLS. The Rev. Mr. Treadwell having been appointed to take charge of ' the St. Paul’s Church, Wanganui, left vacant by the translation of Mr. Elmslie to Christchurch, the following credential from the Kilmarnock Presbytery was read : alia. The Rev. Robert G. Balfour, con--vener of the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland, being present, intimated the appointment by the committee of the Rev. James Treadwell, of the Free Church at Stevenston, to the charge of Wanganui, Wellington, New Zealand, and requested the Presbytery to use “discreet haste” in expediting the case.; and Mr. Treadwell having made a statement on the subject, concluded by tendering his resignation of his charge at Stevenston, and prayed the Presbytery at once to accept tbe same, so as to allow of his proceeding forthwith to -New Zealand, which, having been considered, ,and the brethren generally having spoken to the case, it was .moved, seconded, and unanimously agreed to that the resignation of Mr. Treadwell be accepted, but that in doing so the Presbytery cannot but express their deep regret at losing a brother so highly esteemed and so worthy of esteem. Mr. Treadwell is well known to bo a man of great gifts, taste, and culture,. of extensive acquirements and studious habits, and of warm zeal and devotedness. As a preacher he has all along stood very high in the opinion of the most competent judges for the breadth, depth, and clearness of his statements of Gospel truth, and for.his facility in applying the same to the hearts and consciences of his hearers. He has ever been a most diligent and faithful pastor, and has labored very earnestly to bring the Gospel to bear on the outlying papulation within and around his sphere of labor. He has all along taken his due share In the business of the Presbytery, and the brethren have always had much reason to admire the courtesy of his manners, ns well as the wisdom of his counsel in all matters coming before them. He carries with him the best vrishes and earnest prayers for his comfort and success in the new and important sphere to which he has been appointed. It was resolved that the Presbytery should meet at Wanganui on Wednesday next, for ordinary business, at 11 o’clock, and for the induction of the Rev. Mr. Treadwell to take place at 2 o’clock in tbe afternoon, THE COMING SESSION. The following gentlemen were appointed commissioners to attend the session of the Assembly to be held in Auckland next month; —Rev. Mr. Paterson, Rev. Mr, McKee, Rev. Mr. Moir, and Rev. Mr. Ross. • The following elders were appointed - Messrs. McLean, Windgate, Smith, and Craighead. . - ■ Some routine business -having been transacted, tbe meeting adjourned.