MEETING OF WELLINGTON PRESBYTERY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 6118, 11 November 1880, Page 3

MEETING OF WELLINGTON PRESBYTERY.

(communicated). A meeting of the Wellington Presbytery was held in the session-house of St. John’s Church, on Wednesday morning, at 10 am. There were present: Rev.S.J. Treadwell, Paterson, Ogg, J. Duncan, Doull, Moir, Panton, Brown, Alders, Hopkirk, McGowan. Commissions were laid on the table in favor of the two latter gentlemen as acting alders, and being present, both took their seats as members of Court. The Rev. M. Treadwell, the Moderator, presided. After the meeting was opened with prayer, the Clerk read the minutes of previous meeting, and they were confirmed.—The Clerk explained the reason for the meeting not being called sooner,—Mr. Treadwell gave in the report on religion and morals, and explained that the Committee appointed had done nothing, except drawing up a series of questions to be sent to every Presbyterian clergyman for replies.—The Presbytery resolved itself into Committee to consider a number of questions brought forward by the convener. After some discussion, the questions were proposed, and agreed to, and the Presbytery resumed, and the Clerk reported progress. A proposal was brought forward in reference to having a visitation of congregations through the bounds of the Presbytery, with a view to promote more kindly feeling and co-operation, by deputations appointed, so as to bring the schemes of the Church before the minds of the members more especially that of ministerial support. A deputation, consisting of Messrs. Paterson and Treadwell, was appsinted to visit the Lower Valley district in reference to Mr. Brown’s salary.—The matter of sustentation fund was brought before the Presbytery by the clerk, and it was agreed that no formal action ought to be taken.—The report on the church property was referred to, when it was stated by the convener that he had no report to give, but that he bad received answers to the question sent to the different churches. Mr. McKee brought forward a motion that the Presbytery should meet at different centres at stated times to secure more regular attendance. He spoke in support of his resolution. Mr. Doule seconded the proposal, and, after full discussion, it was negatived. The Presbytery then adjourned, to meet again in the afternoon, at 4 p.m, at which time the sitting resumed, and the minutes of the forenoon were read and confirmed. The case of Mr. Grant was called. He, laboring as an evangelist, had acted in an irregular manner, having baptised children without being an ordained minister of the Church. Mr. Grant being present, expressed regret at his injudicious action. The Rev. Mr. Duncan proposed that Mr. Grant's expression of regret at having contravened the instructions of the Presbytery in having administered the sacrament, be accepted, and that notice be sent to the Extension Church Committtee that he might be employed to labor within the bounds of any Presbytery. Mr. Grant was then called in, and addressed in words of admonition by the Moderator. Mr. Grant thanked the Presbytery tor their kind forbearance towards him.—A petition from the Hutt churches, asking that Mr. Grant should be recommended for re-appointment to labor amongst the people there, was granted unanimously. Subjects were then appointed for Mr, Grant for examination with a view of finishing bis second year’s course of study, The Rev. Mr. Paterson resigned his Moderatorship of the Hutt Church, and moved that Mr. Ogg be appointed instead. Mr. Paterson proposed an overture to the General Assembly wishing for an alteration in the Act referring to the ordination of evangelist students, and proposed to rescind the Act. This finished the business, and the proceedings closed with the benediction.