PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 1236, 12 April 1870, Page 3

PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHLAND.

(communicated.) The quarterly meeting took place on the 6th. There were present— the Keys. A. H; Stobo (moderator), Thomas Alexander, and James Clark, ministers; Messrs Chas. Coster, John Erskine, and George Dawson, elders. Mr Clark was elected moderator for the next year, and Mr Stobo appointed clerk pro tern. Mr Stobo reported on behalf of the committee on Sabbath observance, that nothing had been done since last meeting. It was agreed to continue the committee with the same instructions. It was reported that Mr Murdoch had commenced business as a saw-miller on Stewart's Island, and that he would soon be in a position to give information regarding the spiritual destitution there. The clerk laid on the table extract minutes of Synod of Otago and Southland, appointing the presuytery of Southland, along with Messrs Thomas Watson and John Murdoch, elders, the committee of Synod on temperance, with Revs. Messrs Sutherland and "Waters, corresponding members. Ako an extract minute instructing presbyteries to stimulate their congregations to greater efforts on behalf of the Sustentation Fund ; also an extract minute instructing Presbyteries to take into consideration the matter referred to in the report of committee on Sabbath observance and state of religion, at some special diet of Presbytery. With respect to this matter, a letter was read from Rev. G. Sutherland, convener of the committee, relating the steps taken in this matter in the presbytery of Dunedin. It was agreed to request the Jiev. J. Kirkland to pay a visit to the congregations within the bounds, or as many of them as possible, in order to address them on this subject. The Presbytery agreed to hold a special diet with respect to the state of religion, at next ordinary j meeting, to be held on 6th July next, at 7 p.m.; and at the same time to have a conference with as many office-bearers of the various congregations as possible. It; was moved, after considerable discussion, that the Presbytery, according to remit of Synod, and the power therein given, should declare, and they hereby do declare, Winton, Forest Hill, and adjoining pastoral country, a sanctioned charge — the' Presbytery considering that there was a reasonable prospect of more than £150 a-year being contributed to the Sustentation Fund from these districts. An extract minute of the Deacon's Court of Invercargill was laid on the table, in which they promised to contribute £20 a-year in the meantime towards assisting the Sastentation Fund of the congregation at Wallacetown, Mr Stevens arranging with Mr Stobo to give special services during the year. The Presbytery considered that they had in this way the reasonable probability of £150 a-year from Wallacetown. It was agreed to ask the Church Extension Committee to appoint a preacher to Winton and Forest Hill without delay. In the event of that committee being unable at present to supply a preacher, it was agreed to instruct Mr Clark to endeavor to make seme arrangements with Rev. Mr M'Gillivray for supply v . .. . ... It was agreed to instruct ministers to &aye special thanksgiving services for the recent harvest. The Presbytery adjourned to meet at Invercargill on Wednesday, 6th day of July, at 11 a.m.