PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 1037, 12 October 1868, Page 2

PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHLAND.

«- The ordmary quarterly meeting of the Presbytery of Southland was held in the vestry of the Presbyterian Church here, on the 7th instant, afc noon. r— Present — Revs. Andrew Stevens, moderator ; Clark, Alexander, and Stobo, ministers ; and Messrs Macarthur, FuUarton, Campbell and M'JQrick, elders. . , M»-Stobo_reported that ho had advertised agreeably to lristruotions given for a colporteur, and that the Committee had receivod five appUcations, one of which from Mr Paul A. Defclessen, fchey had entertained favorably, but thafc in aU the circumstances they had nofc ventured to undertake the responsibility of setting the enterprise a foot. Ifc was agreed to re-appoint the Committee, and instruct them to endeavor to mak arrangements to find employment for Mr Defclessen, either on Stewart's Island or anywhere else within the Province. Ifc was unanimously resolved that the Presby- j tery, having received no communication from Queenstown, take no present action regarding it, but leave it to the Church Extension Committee j to send supply, should suoh be required before next meeting of Presbyfcerj . Ifc was agreed nofc j to ask the Church Extension Committee to sup* j ply Mataura in the meantime, but instruct the clerk to direct the attention of that Committee to the peculiar difficulties of the district with a view to find suitable supply. The Presbytery, having heard a verbal report from Mr M'Arthur, Convenor of the Sabbath Observance Committee, agreed to discharge the Committee aud record its thanks to the Convenor. Mr M'Arthur moved — " That Waikiva, east and west be added to ; and that Winton Bush, and Forest HiU districts be now disjoined from the present ministerial charge of Wallacetown. It was Btated by fche mover that as there are presently no more sittings to be had in the Church at InvercargiU some relief might be given if a Church were erected for the Waikivi distiict, on the north side of the bridge over the Waikivi stream. Mr M'Arthur also urged the total impossibiUfcy of the minister afc WaUacetown continuing to supply districts so remote as Winton and Forest HiU. The members of Presbytery generaUy expressed their strong desire, fco see au arrangement of this kind carried into effect without delay, but many of them expressed their grave fears with respect to Winton and Forest HiU, and the adjoining runs not being able as yet to maintain ordinances for themselves. After much conversation, ifc was agreed to appoint a Committee to coUect information on the foUowing points, viz. : — First. What sum might Ukely be contributed by the new district of Waikivi, East and West, towards the buUding of a church, and towards the sustentation fund. Secondly. The number of the population for which such a church might be readily 1 available, and, thirdly, what sum WiAxra and Forest Hill might be able fco contribute towards maintaining a minister there, and the number of the population there and in the -adjoining runs for which his services would be available. ' The Committee to consist of Messrs MArfchur, M'Hrick, and Clark. M'Arthur to be convenor. Mr Stobo gave notice that he would move at next meeting that the Presbytery overture the ' Synod to take steps to increase the present means ' of praise in congregations, by the adtition of , some weU selected hymns. Mr Clarke gave notice that he would move at next meeting to the foUowing effect : — Whereas i many connected with our congregations are " ignorant of fche distinctive principles of Presbyterianism, and whereas a knowledge of these principles would greatly assist this Church ia her efforts to promote the Glory of Christ, this 1 Presbytery overture the Synod to take the whole , subject into their serious consideration, and devise such measures therea nent as]) may teem meet. A letter was read from Rev. Dr Barns, en- [ closing one from Rev. Mr Inglis of the New i Hebrides Mission, requesting fche Presbytery to make engagements for Mr Inglis paying a visit to the bounds. The clerk was instructed to communicate with the clerks of fche other Presbyteries ' wifch a view to making mutual arrangements. The Presbytery adjourned to meet on Tuesday, the sth January at noon.