WANGANUI PRESBYTERY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9435, 4 May 1909, Page 4

WANGANUI PRESBYTERY.

SPECIAL MEETING AT MARTON.

A special meeting of Wanganui Presbytery was held at Martoa today. Present; Revsl. Evans (Bulls) moderator, |;McUnlly (Turakina), Morton (Wanganui), White (Levin), Ross (Wanganui), Jolly (Palmerston North), Guaa (Mangaweka), and Eiders R. K. Simpson (Marten), Hughes (Wanganui), and Oaird (Maugaweka). Mr Guild’s commission as elder for Mangaweka was sustained.

The Clerk read a resolution sent on from the Synod of Otago to the effect that with a view of consulting the whole church iu making the appointment of a Theological Professor, the Synod agrees to constitute a committee and associate with it representatives of all Presbyteries of the Church, giving them full power to take steps to bring before the General Assembly names of persons qualified to fill ths Theological Professorship. The committee to meet at Christchurch at an early date and expenses of all members of the Commission to be defrayed by the Synod. The Revs. Jolly (Palmerston) and Morton (Wanganui) were appointed representatives on the Committee, and in the event of either being unable to go the Rev. Budd, of FelMing, will be asked to fill the vacancy. It was reported* this was the first time the whole church had been called upon to take part in the appointment to this position. Formerly it was left entirely in the Lands of the Synod of Otago. The new arrangement was considered a fairer one than the old one. The question of Mr Bishop’s (who lately resigned as Home missionary at .Taihape) relation to the Beneficiary Funds of the Chnr.-h was considered. Mr Bishop is connected with this fund and leaving tha ministry on account of ill-health makes the position unusual. Regret was expressed in losing Mr Bishop’s services, and it was decided to refer the matter to the Assembly with a strong recommendation that tue request contained in his letter, be granted. Mr Ewart, the newly-appointed missionary at Taihape, was given power to administer the Sacrament and conduct Baptism and msiriage ceremonies. The Rev. MoGnlly proposed that the Presbytery congratulate the Rev. John Ross on his unabated vigor, although siuce the last meeting of the Presbytery he had passed his 80th birthday. The Presbytery also felicitated his eon, Mr John W. Ross, M.A., on his recent scholastic successes, he having gained first-class honors In Latin and Greek, and being selected for the Jacob-Joseph scholarship, which is awarded by the Victoria College for the scholar conspicuous in classical knowledge. This scholarship is worth £6O. ' The Rev. Mr Ross said i?e felt grateful to the Presbytery fer the kindly feelings expressed. It had always been a pleasure to meek together, and during his 38 years experience on the Wanganni Presbyter v, he could say that they conld not have worked more harmoniously together. Ho hoped this would continue. He thanked them for the congratulatory references about hia son’s recent successes.