THE REV. ANDREW GARDINER.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 482, 21 June 1890, Page 5

THE REV. ANDREW GARDINER.

The Presbytery of Sydney met last week at Sc. Stephen’s Church. The Rev. W. M. Dill-Macky (Moderator) presided, and there was a good attendance of ministers and laymen. The case of the Rev. Andrew Gardiner came on for consideration. Previous to the report of the committee being read, the Rev. J. Auld proposed that the business be conducted with closed doors. This was carried, and the subject was discussed in private.

On the inquiry being concluded the meeting was again opened to the public, when it was announced that the following resolutions had been carried : That the report of the committee be received, and ordered to be entered at length on tho rscord of the proceedings in this case ; and that in accordance with its recommendations the Presbytery resolve as follows : That the action of the Rev. Andrew Gardiner in precipitately leaving the colony for America on May 8 last, without writing to be legally relieved of his pastoral charge, was a virtual abandonment of his post, and warrants tho Presbytery in declaring the Glebe charge vacant, quite irrespective of Mr Gardiner’s letter of resignation sent from New Zealand, and received by the clerk on May 26; that the Rev. Dr. Kinross be appointed to preach the Glebe Church vacant on the 22nd instant, and to act as interim moderator of the session during the vacancy. That the consideration of Mr Gardiner’s application for a Presbyterial certificate be deferred for the present. That meantime the Presbytery resolve to commence a formal judicial process for the investigation of the grave charges which have been made against him. That a committee be now aopoinbed to draw up a libel embodying the charges against Mr Gardiner. That the latter be furnished with a copy of the libel, and formally cited to attend the ordinary meeting of the Presbytery on tho 9th day of September next, when the relevancy of the said libel shall be considered.

The Revs. Dr. Gilchrist, R. S. Paterson, and P. F. McKenzie were appointed the committee. The libel was subsequently presented to the Presbytery, and adopted". It was resolved that a copy of the libel should be forwarded to Mr Gardiner by nexb mail.