THIRD DAY.

Southland Times, Issue 632, 15 February 1867, Page 3

THIRD DAY.

The sitting of the Synod was resumed on Thursday last, the Modebatob (the Rev Mr WiU) in the chair. After devotional exercise, the minutes of the previous sitting were read and confirmed. .The Clebk: brought up reports from the Committee of iJUIs, also from the Committee appointed to arrange the business, which was received: It was resolved that a Committee be appointed to make arrangements for the future sittings of the Synod. chubch extension. The Rev Mr M'Naughton, as Convener of the Church Extension Committee, caUed the attention of the Synod to that portion ofthe report (read on the previous day), relating to the bringing out two more ministers -from Home, and he urged the necessity of immediately taking steps to ensure their speedy arrival. The Rev Mr Stuaet said that, looking at the wants of the various districts, he thought that two ministers would not be enough. Another laborer would soon be needed for Queenstown ; apphcations had been received from the Mataura, Southland, and from Balclutha ; and the wants of the Teviot. Miller's Flat, Papakaio, and other important districts were very pressing. Nearer Dunedin, at Portobello, Blueskin and Half-way Bush, tbe settlers were anxious for ministers: and he was convinced that, if six were sent for, there would be work for aU, and that there would be no difficulty in obtaining funds. The Rev. Mr Connob knew that his own district was developing so rapidly, that he was unable to keep pace with it, and assistance was necessary. Other districts were simUarly situated, and he knew there was a great desire in each of them to have a settled minister, and a wUUngness to contribute ÜberaUy to his support. Mr John Gillies cordially supported any proposition to increase the number of Ministers. He detaUed the action taken by the Synod in sending for Ministers, and urged that there would be no difficulty in obtaining funds to pay passages, &c. It had always been that, just in proportion as the number of ministers had been increased, the dividends to each were increased also. The only thing was to get out men who would love their work — men of heart — and there would be no difficulty in the way. Mr A. Todd thought that six ministers worife not be too many to send for, and that funds for their passage-money would be easUy obtained. Some time ago, he had coUected in the Taieri District a sum of money for the special purpose of obtaining Mr Matheson to go upon the Goldfields. That was not done ; and as the money had been given for a special purpose, it returned to his hands, and the contributors had left it to him to say what should be done with it ; and he should be glad to see it appUed towards the expense of bringing out ministers. .After remarks from a number of speakers, who approved of the proposition, the foUowing resolution was adopted : — " That application be made for six additional ministers, and that the matter be remitted to the Church Extension Committee ; and that the first coUection recommended be for the payment of their passage-money." The Clebk read a reference from the Presbytery of Southland, asking for a minister for the pastoral districts. It was resolved that the matter be referred to the Church Extension Committee, with instructions to carry out the object sought by the Presbytery of Southland, under the Remit already made to the Committee. NEW CHARGES. A petition was received from the Balclutha district applying for a new charge. A similar appUcation was also made on behalf of Queenstown, and both were sanctioned. It was then, upon discussion, resolved — "That the interim arrangements for sanctioning new charges cease, and that aU appUcations for the sanctioning of new charges be made to the Synod ; that power, however, be given to the Presbytery of Clutha to sanction Popotunoa, on condition that the Sustentation Fund Committee declare themselves satisfied with the state of the Sustentation Fund ; and also to the Presbytery of Dunedin to sanction charges. COMMITTEES. The report of the Committee on Committees was read and adopted. The foUowing committees were appointed : — Fobeign Mission. — Revs. Dr Copeland (convener), Messrs Todd, Kirkland, and AUan ; Messrs Anderson, Smith, Rait, and J. Adam. College Committee. — Same as Foreign Mission ; Rev. Mr Todd, Convener. Chuech Extension. — Revs. Messrs Stuart, Watt, Johnson, M'Naughton ; Messrs CargiU, GUUes, HiU, A. Tod. Committee on Fobms. — Revs. Messrs Bannerman, Todd, and Kirkland. Sustentation Fund. — Revs. Messrs WiU, Watt, GUUes, Johnston ; Messrs CargiU, GUUes, Hislop, Duncan, Lawson, and Souness. MAOBI MISSION. It was resolved to instruct the Foreign Mission Committee to correspond with Mr Wohler, asking the intention of the Mission Society in Bremen, respecting the appointment of a successor to the late Mr Reimenschneider. SYNOD EXPENSES. The Rev. Mr M'Naughton brought up the report of tbis Committee. Tbe Synod expenses amounted to £45, which was distributed among the Churches. The report which was adopted, recommended that the salary of the Clerk be increased, and that in future some provision be made towards the expenses of ministers coming from a long distance. BECEPTION OP MINISTEBS. AppUcation was made by the Rev. Mr CampbeU to be received into the Church, and his Presbyterian certificate having been read, the application was acceded to, and Mr CampbeU was introduced to the Synod. The Rev. Mr Munro was also introduced to the Synod, and his credentials having been read, he was admitted as a mini>ter within the bounds. The Rev Mr Stuabt said that the Rev Mr Scrymgeour had been here for some weeks, and his preaching had been so acceptable that ifc was beUeved that he would receive a caU from the congregation of St. Andrew's Church. But the difficulty arose that the Synod only could receive ministers from other Churches, and as Mr Scrymgeour's credentials had been left in Melbourne a delay would be caused if provision was not made. It was resolved that power be given to the Presbytery of Dunedin to receive Mr Scrymgeour in the event of his applying for admission into the Church, on being satisfied with his credentials.

, A commission, in favor . of Mr Telford from Colonial Committee of Free Church of Scotland, translating hi i> to this Church, was laid on the table, and read. union. The Rev Mr Stuart reported thafc the Committee on Union had not report prepared. He proposol that a deputation be appointed to attend the General Assembly, wliich meets at Nelson in November noxt. He believed thafc ifc would pave the way for a pleasant intercourse between the Churches, and good would result. The Rev Dr Burns seconded the resolution, which was carried ; tho deputation appointed being the Revs Mr Bannerman, Mr Johnstone, and Messrs E. B. CargiU, Tood, and Anderson. EVENING- SITTING. The Modebatob took his seat at half-past five o'clock. FINANCE. Mr Smith, the Treasurer, brought up his Financial report. It was read, and on the motion of the Rev. Mr Todd, it was resolved that the report be approved. It was also resolved that the thanks of the Synod be accorded to tli3 Treasurer, and clerical assistance to the amount of £50 per annum be rendered to him. Further, the Synod agreed to appoint the trustees of Church Land Trust, a Committee to advise with the Factor of the Church, on matters respecting the Manse Trust, and specially with regard to alterations of rents, and also Mr Morris and Mr Street, to assist the Dunedm Trust. The balance-sheet showed that during the year 1866, a sum of £4,680 Os 4d was contributed to the Sustenation Fund ; of tliis, Anderson's Bay Church gave £197 2s 6d ; Clutha, £128*; Dunedin, Ist, Church, £393 ls lOd ; Knox Church, £348 8s 6d ; St Andrew's, £76 19s 6d ; Green Island and Saddle HiU, £185 ss ; Inch Clutha, £212 13s ; InvercargiU, £210 ; Lawrence and and Waitahuna, £207 lis ; Oamaru, £213 18s 6d ; Oteramika, £209 ; Pomahaka, £224 6s ; Popotunoa, £10; Port Chalmers, £121 17s ; Riverton, £125 ; Taieri, East, £293 2s ; West, £255 ss ; North, £175 9s 6d ; Tokomairiro, £327 6s 6d ; Waihola, £180 8s ; Waikouaiti, £194 7s 6d; WaUacetown, £202 17s; and Warepa, £188 2s. To the Church Extension Fund twenty-four Churches had contributed £546 2s sd, £200 of which came from the newly-sane* ioned charge at Hampden and Otepopo. From Popotunoa, a charge not yet sanctioned, the amount contributed was £143 6s. To the Ministers' Passage Expenses Fund, £103 4s 8d had been contributed during the year. Tliis, added to the balance from last year, and a sum received from Messrs GiUies and Street of £138 15s, amounted to £348 lis 4d, of which £265 had been expended, leaving a balance of £83 lis 4d. The Mission Fund, coUected during the year, was £349 ss. The ordinary coUections amounted to £2719 18s Id — the sums contributed being, Anderson's Bay, £78 2s; Clutha, £50 9s lid; Dunedin First Church, £331 ; Knox, £605 18s 4d ; St. Andrew's, £153 2s sd ; Green Island, £69 19 ; Inch Cluthp, £82 17s Id ; InvercargUl, £207 19s 7d; Lawrence and Waitahuna, £100 3s lOd; Oamaru, £162 0s Id ; Otepopo, £55 ; Oteramika, £43 lis 4d; Popotunoa, £20 3s 4d; Port Chalmers, £68 13s 6d; Riverton, £82 5s 8d; Taieri, East, £85 lis lid; West, £91 7s 4d ; North, £25 10s; Tokomairiro, £197 14s 4d ; Waihola, £36 7s Id ; Waikouaiti, £49 14s 8d ; WaUacetown, £44 6s 6d ; Warepa, £61 0s 4d. The special coUections for the year amounted- to j £529 16s 7d. The rent of seats brought in a sum of £1712 j lis 6d. The Widows' and Orphans' Fund had, at the end of the previous year, a balance of £166 7s Bd. This was increased during the half-year ending June 30th to £230 16s 2d, of which £200 has been invested in debentures* and the balance is banked. The Synodical expenses amounted to £23 ls, which had been covered by contributions from the various churches. BUSTENTATION EUND. The Rev Mr Will read the report of the Sustentation Fund Committee. Upon discussion, it was approved of, and it was resolved to declare a dividend at the rate of £200 19s 4d, and authorise the Treasurer to pay the same to the several ministers. It was further resolved that it be referred to the Committee to consider and report at the next Synod as to the arrangements to be made with the congregations respecting the Sustentation Fund. The Clebke read overtures from the Presbyteries of Dunedin and Clutha respecting contributions to the fund. The Rev Mr Gilles, in speaking to the overtures from the Dunedin Presbytery, said that dissatisfaction had arisen in a number of districts from the feeling that many congregations in the Church were taking undue advantage of the fund, which had become a drain on the Überahty of some, and a bonus to the idleness and selfishness of others. The fact that there were only six selfsupporting churches was not creditable, and it would perhaps be advisable to leave the subject to the consideration of the Committee, who might, perhaps, by the next Synod, be able to suggest some plan by wluch a reform might be instituted. The Rev Mr Bannebman, as the supporter of the overture from Clutha, objected to the remarks of Mr GUUes. He beUeved the Sustenation Fund was the great means of providing grace. The best means to extend the Church was to increase the Sustentation Fund. It was by that the Church was able to do what had been done at the present Synod, take the bold step of sending ior more ministers. The Rev Mr Watt said the great strength of a Church was self-endowment — that was just the Sustentation Fund. He thought that every effort should be made to increase the Fund untU it was brought up to the £250, resolved upon at the last Synod. He did not understand how pleading for it coidd give offence. He had the idea that a minister in poverty lost influence, unless he had some special talents to counterbalance it. The Rev Mr Todd moved, " That the Synod having read and considered the Overtures, recommend the continuance of the efforts to carry out the resolution of lasfc Synod, respecting equal dividend. In doing so, he stated that from the report he gathered that the Sustentation Fund here was in a healthier state than that of the Free Church at Home. Mr J. GUlies, the Rev Mr Stuart, and the Rev Mr Gillies did not oppose the resolution, but deemed it unnecessary. It waß, however, agreed to.