PRESBYTERY OF WANGANUI.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8802, 2 May 1907, Page 3

PRESBYTERY OF WANGANUI.

The above Presbytery met iu Mar ton ou Wednesday forenoon and trau sacted first a good deal of business connected with Maori missions. There were present: Revs. Morton, Moderator; Gordon, Ryburu, Bndd, Ross, Ibbitsou and McOully, ministers ; Messrs Brechin, Fraser, Moßeth and Murray, elders. Mr Ryburu, convener of tire Maori Mission, gave an interesting aud graphic account of his visit to the districts iu which the missionaries are labouring. He gave a glowing account of the good work aud influence of Mr E. Ward, missionary, at Taumaranui. Mr Ward goes iu aud out through a very wide district and has everywhere the respect aud confidence of tho Maori people. He has to act iu their interests iu a great many capacities and is looked to for guidance in scores of ordinary matters, including even the dispensing of family medicines iu time of extremity. Mr Fletcher is also doing nohlo work in Tanpo and tire pahs Bunrrouudiug the lake aud as far as Tokaaun and lias gained the entire confidence aud goodwill of tho natives. Along with Mr Fletcher Sister Alison, the ordained deaconness, has begun very useful duty among the Maori women and children. She conducts Sabbath schools, visits tiro sick, administers remedies for simple ailments, teaches them something about cooking and the care of children. Mr Fletcher has also had under his charge for some mouths Mr Chisholm, who is iu training os a missionary. Tho reports of Mr Hamilton, master of the Turabina College, as to tho health of the girls aud the general progress of the school were considered very satisfactory. Mr Hamilton reported that whilst at the exhibition tho Minister of Education had presented the school with a New Zealand ensign. At tho special meeting of the Presbytery iu the afternoon Mr Gordon laid ou the table a call from Mangawoka congregation, signed by 38 members and 73 adherents, aud stated that the call was as hearty aud unanimous as it was possible to be. Mr O J. Bennett also spoke iu support of the call and testified to its heartiness aud enthusiasm. Tho Presbytery sustained the call and the Moderator placed it iu the hands of Mr Gunn, who accepted it. It was agreed that the ordination take place at Mangawoka on Wednesday, 33ud inst., at 3 p.m., when Mr Morton, Moderator of Presbytery, will preside and ordain tho Minister, Mr Hutson will preach, Mr Gordon address the Minister aud Mr Budd the people. Mr MCnlly reported that the congregation at Bulls had signed a call to a minister but before the matter had proceeded to a mature stage the minister they were calling had accepted another call, aud that the Bulls congregation had now to begin do novo. , , The Presbytery agreed to the following motion: —* ‘ The Presbytery expresses its sympathy with the Bulls congregation iu the disappointment occasioned by their failure to obtain the Minister to whom they were addressing a call; but trust that the cougregaton will fWcc bravely and hopefully the present position and wait in prayerful unity the guidance of God’s providence.