INDUCTION AT RIVERTON.

Southland Times, Issue 1593, 18 June 1872, Page 3

INDUCTION AT RIVERTON.

The Presbytery of Southland held a special meeting at Hiverton on Wedneßday, the 12th inat., for the induction of the Bev. C. S. Ross to the pastoral charge of that congregation. The following members of Presbytery were present : — Messrs Stobo, Alexander, and Thompson, Ministers ; and Mr William Eraser, elder. The induction sermon was preached by Mr Thompson, who chose for his text 1 Timothy, iv. 14, "Neglect not the gift that ia in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery." Mr Stobo, the moderator, then reviewed the history of the congregation since the removal of their late minister, Mr Clark, to Palmerston ; ' and Mr Alexander proceeded with the induction in the usual form. Mr Rosa, having received the right hand of fellowship from his brethren of the Presbytery, was then introduced to the members ot his congregation who were present, after the timehonored practice of shaking hands with each one in succession. The congregation then dispersed, to meet again in the evening at a soiree. The soiree was held in the Oddfellows'

Hall at 7 o'clock, the new minister, Mr Rose, presiding in the chair. The tea, with the usual accompaniments of good things, admirably provided by Mr James Hood, having been disposed of, all present joined in returning thanks by singing the Hundredth Psalm. Mr Ross then addressed, his congregation in a few very appropriate and telling sentences, referring to the sermon which had been preached by Mr Alexander in the forenoon, the responsibilities of the pastor's work, and claiming the kindly sympathy, the prayers, and the active support of the members of his flock. The financial report of the congregation was then read by the treasurer, Mr G-eorge Reid junr., and unanimously adopted. Interesting addresses by Mr Thompson, minister of Forest Hill, and Mr Alexander, of Long Bush, followed. Mr J. L. M'Donald then, after a few appropriate remarks, in the name of the congregation, presented the newly-inducted pastor with a purse containing thirty sovereigns, for the purchase of a horse, saddle, and bridle. The gift having been gracefully and feelingly acknowledged by Mr Ross, Mr John Gumming, for the ladies of the congregation, presented Mrs Ross with a very handsome purse containing twenty sovereigns. They desired, he said, to give Mrs Ross a hearty welcome, and with the j view of expressing it ia something weightier than wordß, they had fallen upon this plan, only regretting that they had not been able to make the purse heavier still. Mr Stobo then delivered a very characteristic and humorous address, touching on a great variety of topics, among others the badness of the roads, apropos of which he suggested that it might be wiser for Mr Ross to keep his J money for another year, and, instead of a horse, be content for the present with a pair of stilts, as more suitable for the roads in their present state. The Rev. W. F.Oldham, of the English Church, then addressed the meeting in a speech of the most liberal and catholic spirit, and tendered Mr Ross a hearty welcome, as a brother servant in the Lord. The pleasure of the proceedings was greatly enhanced by the performances of Mr E. "Wilson and the congregational choir, who executed a number of well-selected sacred pieces at intervals throughout the evening, in a tasteful and most effective manner. The meeting broke up at halfpast ten o'clock.