THE REV. MR FERGUSON AND THE PRESBYTERY.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 36, 9 February 1884, Page 5

THE REV. MR FERGUSON AND THE PRESBYTERY.

At the meeting of the Auckland Presbytery on Wedne&da), a letter waj submitted from Paeroa in refeience to a proposal to remove the Rev. Mi Ferguson to Tauranga, but being considered disrespectful, it was not received After a length) discussion, it was resohed, in the interests of the church to retain Mr Feiguson's services at Upper Thames for the present. The clerk stated that Mr Sutherland was giving supply at Tauranga. The Herald contains the following report of the proceedings :: — • At a sitting of this body yesterday, Vie Rev. J. MaeKy, Modei.itoi, a telegram and a lengt \\ letter were received from the Paero.i congregation, the farmer asking it' it «ih ieal!v the intention of the Presbytery to remove j\l r Ferguson from Te Aroh.i, nnd the latter expressing surpiise, m.ir>\\, and in lignat'umi at the oppiobrious rein.iru.s made u-,e of by Messis Kunciman, Fra^er, iinJ Muitro with reference to .Mi Fergusons letter at the Presbytery's las) meeting, and published in the ['res 3. 111 1 tuere \va> any ground for the chaiges ol ignorance and impertinence piefened bv them against Mi Fcigu^on those charges inibt apply 10-tiie 'Paeroa congr"g,.tiou, and not to him, tor they acc'jited (he entire responsibility for his letter, and en lorded even u old of it. Th ■ icmai ks of Messrs lliinciman, Fi.isci ? ;ni ! Mun o showed a great lack of (Jhri-tian charily ami good feeling, and the Committee wcrs feony to think tnnl ministers could make use of such damaging language as had appeared in print. They Loped that Mr Ferguson would be exonerated from the charges m-ide against liim. and thai, further, they would i>> withdrawn, li Mr Ferguson v.is to b" removed they li«d dele 1 mined that they v.ould have no <ither minister. A general discussion ensued, in the course o\ whi«'h the clerk took stmng exception to Hie highly objectionable language of the letter, find thought it should not be received. The ltev. .!. M.u-ky thought the Presbytery mi rht, display its magnanimity by passing over this point and considering the inter -sis of the Church. He accordingly amen. led his resolution by moving 1 " That the Piv.sbytery distinctly refused tv accede to the request of the Committee uith regard to th<3 withdrawal of tlic expressions used in the Presbytery, but believing that, it would be for the iiikiicsts, of the Church to accede to the request of the Paeioa people, it agtees to continue Mr Fergusons services." The liev. T. Nome seconded. The Rev. R. F. Macnicol moved as an amendment, •' That the document, being disrespectful to the Comt, be not receive 1, but in tue interests of the Church the Presbytorv agreed to allow Mi Ferguson to remain at Paeroa some

time longer, and in tract* t!ie J';esl»yterial Oi>minktoo to acquaint, (he P.-vroa Committee wi'h (ho ivl.i( inn* o\ -.ling between tlio Presbytery, Mr Foiguson, anil the Paero.i Committee." Tlio Low Mr Killon seconded, and upon a volo bein^' taUen the amcndiinnt »vas carried. Tlio Rev. D. W. Runciman said thai the Paeroa Commit too appeared to be the bettor instructed in tlio essential eonslitucntb of Christian conduct and i^entlenia ly \«ehi\viour. lie begged to resign his position as convener of the Committee appointed to deal with the matter, seeing that it was to be continued. As Mr Macnicol was a genile amiable, kind-hearted member of the PioMiytery, he suggested his appointment. Mr Macnieol declined, and the Presbytery refused to accept. Mr JRuneiman's :esignation.