AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 54, 14 June 1884, Page 7

AUCKLAND PR ESBY TERY.

The nrHnnry two-monthly meeting of the Pros by to ry was held on tho 4th inst., the Hit/ the Moderator (ttev. T M. Fraser) in the chair. Clerk : Hey. R. Somerville.

TE AROHA. The Clork read a letter from the convener of the Church Extension Committee, in which it was announced that Mr Mclntosh had been sent to this district ; that Mr Ferguson had been appointed as assistant to Mr Carricl?, of St. Andrew's. Rev. It. Somerville : Here a most unusual and irregular course has been taken. It has always been understood that appointments or removals should be made through this Presbytery. It appears to me that the Church Extension Committee have adopted an unwarrantable line of action. No less than six of the brethern were opposed to Mr Mclntosh going to Te Aroha. Tuen there is the appointment of an assistant to Mr Carrick. The Presbytery had no knowledge of that, or that any assistinco was required. The Rgv. Mr Carrick said if he had known it was necessary, the Presbytery would have been consulted. Rev. Mr Runciman : The Presbytery could only decline to recognise the action of the Church Extension Committee. i>ut I here wis another feature in the matter. Mr Ferguson had not even .Miteiv'i up<'n his divinity course. He was a layiiMu, and a layman assistant to the minister of the largest, wealthiest, and most iulluential of the city churches, was rather unusual. Mucli would depend on the n iture of the arrangement. Rev. Mr Carrick : I am not delinquent in tliis matter. Mr Ferguson is to assist me " temporarily." He will preach sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the evening, and will conduct the Bible rlass. Tie is to be paid at the rate of £200 a-year, to be taken from my sal a> y. £50 per annum is to be added to my salary in view of this appointment. lamto be held responsible for payment. Rev. Mr Somerville ; I cannot help saying that there has been a gross irregularity committed, involviug a slight to this Presbytery. Mr MacNiool thought that the minister of a chnrch would be at liberty to appoint a lay assistant ; but, were it his case, he would like to have assent of his congregation and the Presbytery. Rev. Mr Somerville : But how can this be a layin.m, seeing that he his been advertised as the " Rev." Mr Ferguson ? Rev. Mr Carrick : I have be*n careful that everything about the young man should bp known. Hey. Mr Somerville : There is nothing to he said against the young man that I know of, but the Presbytorv has been subjected to nn indignity by w'lat has been done by the Church Extension Committee. ' I refer specially to nothing else. Rev. Mr Macky thought that an irregularity had been committed in this case. It might be inadvertent. He moved in effect that the Presbytery take no notice of Mr Fergusons removal from Te Aroha ; that the Presbytery remonstrate with the Church Extension Committee ; and that no recognition should be taken of their decision until this had been satisfactorily explained Cairied.

PIIESBVTERIAKTRM. The Moderator the Rev. R. Soinerville, Messrs Wliitelaw and J. Bueliannn were appointed a committee to consider, the practicability of a series of lectures on Presbyterianism. — Hi»rald.