CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 34

CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Tho Cnitha Presbytery met at Milton on Rndav last when there were presentXT Re c" w T _ Dal y=>Ple (Moderator), and MM H SSrS S- M Clime Frasor, Miller, Howes, AlUn, Blair, x Chisholin, Orr. W T Currie Ponder and Williams (ministeia), and Messrs G-age Fyfe, Forsylhe, MCa.v, F einwg, Sana^and^, iaylor, Sarginson, and Barr (elders). Iho Rev. Mr Spence and Mi M'Skiminme wrote stating their inability to attend It was agreed to appoint the Rev Mr Sperce Moderator for the ensuing six months. Ihe Rev. Messrs Dalyrmple and Ponder reported re the business transacted at the last meeting of the Sustentation Fund Committee. In implementing the requirements of thefeustentation Fund regulations it was agreed, on +he motion of the Rev. Mr Fraser seconded by the Rev. Mr Ponder, to appoint a committee to examine the balance sheets o£ the congregations within the bounds, with) power to deal with them, and to furnish them to the Sustentation Fund Committee, and to report to next Presbytery. The Rev. Mr Howes, on behalf of the committee appointed to visit Lovell's Flat, gava in a wntten report of the visit. The Revs. Messrs Miller and Reid also spoke in complimentary terms of the good work" being don« by the Rev. Mr Fraser. The Rev. Mt Miller, as convener, moved as follows: — "That the Presbytery, after hearing the report of the committee appointed to visit the congregation of Lovell's F.at, desires to place on record v its gratification at the good work which is being carried on by the Rev. P. B. Fraser, his office-bearers, Sunday school teachers, and other workers in connection with the congregation. Tho parish is a very wide one, and it is pleasing to notice how fu'ly the whole pariahi is supplied with services by the Rev. Mr Fraser; tha faithful pastoral work done by him throughout the year, and the willing assistance rendered by, tho office-berers in supplying services in the absence of the minister at other parts of the parish. It is also pleasing to notice the success which has attended their effoits in bringing the children to the Sabbath schools; the efficient work that has been done by the teachers; tho successful work done by the Bible circle and the uniqueness and usefulness of the Rev. Mr Fraser'a work in his theological c'ass. The Presbytery would express its thankfulness to God that His work ia prospering throughout the palish, that the Gosppl is being faithfully preached, that the people of God are being built up in the faith, and that the children and young people are being carefully taught the great truths of our religion ; and prays that the congregation may continue to enjoy the blessing of God and prosper more and more in eveiy good work." — Seconded by the Rev. Mr Allan, and agiaed to. — It was agreed that the Rev. Mr Miller should exchange with the minister of Lovell's Flat at an eai y date, and bring the finding befoie the congregation.

Ihe Revs. Messrs Orr (convenci) and Blair and Messrs Sargmson and Taylor were appointed a commission to visit the congregation of Waiwera and Clydevale, and report to next Presbytery. Reports were received from Messrs M'Neur, M/Lennan, and Fleming home missionaries in charge of Gleuomaru, Beaumont, and! Tuapeka West respectively, when it was agreed to express satisfaction with the work of the missionaries.

The Rev. Mr Allan reported on the need of a manse and glebe for Beaumont, when the .Rev. Mr Fraser moved that a coinmittea consisting of the Eev. Messrs Allan (convener), Ponder, and Fraser, and Messrs M'Hattie, and M'Caw be appointed to select a site and take the necessary steps towards its purchase and its conveyance to the Church Board of Property, and that an application be made to the Church Erection Commi*tee for a grant for a cottage manse, in accordance with the regulations. — Seconded by the Rev. Mr Orr, and agreed to. It was reported that Mr Bowell had resigned Ins position as home luissionaiy at Ratanni. When it was agreed that the Rev. Mr Chisholm act with the Home Mission Committee in obtaining a suitable successor. The lecords of session and Deacons' Court of Lovell's Flat, Lawrence, Tuapeka West, Milburn, Waitahuna, and Kaitangata, and! the session records of Waiwera were examined. The Rev. Mr Fiaser, on beha:f of the committee appointed to consider the question of! the Presbyterial oversight of students for th« mimstry. reported at some length, and inovedi as follows — ' That the Piesbytery approve* generally of the regulations of the United Free Church," and remits them to the committee tar bring them into line with our requirements-, and report to next meeting of Presbytery. — Seconded by the Rev. Mr Miller, and agreedj to. The Rev. llessis Blair, S. W Currie, and! Howes weie appointed correspondents for the Outlook for their respective districts.